So far we
dealt with what the experts call software. Today I feel compelled to talk
about hardware. That is, the physical aspect of a computer. First of all, I
will only refer to a flash drive, which is a data storage device, very useful
for carrying information from one computer to another. Second of all, I used
the word ‘compelled’ because I was most surprised by a couple of events during
the last months and now I feel I must share the experience.
Most of you
probably know or heard about Kingston flash drives. Kingston it is a very
well-known trademark in computer-related memory products. I have a flash drive,
a little one, and black, not so fancy. I use it in the way it supposed to be
used, copying files here and there, take information from one place to another,
or when we have to make a presentation at the institute, for example, it’s very
useful having the option of using a netbook from the laboratory instead of
bringing our personal computer.
Anyway,
what I’m trying to say is that these series of flash drives, produced by Kingston,
made a very positive impression on me after a couple of incidents:
1) It was chewed and chewed (courtesy of a little dog). When I could finally take it out of its mouth, I noticed it had some holes. The plastic was a little bit distorted. I tried it in my laptop, and it worked!
2) A couple of days ago, I went to my roof to bring my clothes, which were hanging there from the day before. When I took one of the pants, the flash drive fell on the floor. I admit I shouted a few nasty words while I was picking it up. I washed it! Half an hour in the washing machine, full of water, soap, detergent… Then a few minutes in the clothes dryer, spinning around at a high speed. And finally 24 hours in the open air, through dew and sun. And guess what… I tried it in my laptop, and it worked!
In conclusion,
there are plenty of flash drives in the market, I’m sure, but if you ask for my
opinion, I will certainly vote in favour of Kingston and its indestructibility.
