RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] floppy disk reader ?

>> I think the support for them is also dropping in the latest versions of

Windows. <<

This is not true. 3.5" floppies, while no longer a preferred media, are not
going away yet. The support will remain there for now. Floppy support is
still there in the next version of Windows (Windows Vista) which will be
available to consumers early next year.

At home, I use my network. I have both wireless and wired [1]. It's pretty
easy to set up a wireless network, as long as you read the directions on how
to make it secure so all your neighbors are getting on to your network with
you :) It's amazing how many houses you can sit outside in a car and get a
network connection with a laptop.

Wired is arguably more secure, is faster, and can be easier to set up
technically if not physically (you need to fish wire to the end points).

I have also used thumb drives at work to transfer files at client sites when
they won't let consultant laptops on their network. They're getting pretty
cheap, but you have to make sure you have USB ports on both computers. More
importantly, you have to have *easily accessible* USB ports on both
computers :)

[1]
http://www.irritatedvowel.com/HomeImprovement/StructuredWiring.aspx

Pete

_____________________________________________________
 Pete Brown - Gambrills, MD (Near Annapolis)
 Visit my personal site : http://www.irritatedVowel.com
 (wallpaper, western maryland ry, .net, photography, model rr)

-----Original Message-----
From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Dammeyer
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 8:40 PM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] floppy disk reader ?

Hi Rowland,

Personally, I think with new 3.5" floppies going for less than $30 the
quality has taken the same drop as the drop price. I am amazed at how often
I have to reformat the little buggers because suddenly they won't read. I
think the support for them is also dropping in the latest versions of
Windows. In other words, since they are no longer the 'choice' solution for
distributing or moving software around quality has dropped. IMHO.

The latest thing to use now is the USB Dongle. It's a small Flash Drive. I
use one called a Lexar Jump Drive. Plugs into the PC, looks like a disk
drive and writing is faster than to a floppy and it holds 128MB or more.

Alternatively, the Compact Flash cards that work in cameras are also
readable by the latest computers and again you can get a USB reader if your
PC doesn't have a slot for the CF card. I use them for the hard drive in
PC104 industrial type applications.

And if you are running WIN-98 you can get special drivers for the USB
Dongles. If you are running WIN-NT it's time to upgrade.

John Dammeyer