| Computers today are used in every part of life. They | | | | tool. A USB drive is a small device that holds large |
| are used for communication, work, play and even to | | | | amounts of information. It works like a floppy disk in |
| buy food. Therefore, when you lose a computer or | | | | that you can place files, delete files or move files |
| even just a file from your computer, it is like losing | | | | around within the USB. All recent computers have |
| your best friend. You can't back up or replace a best | | | | USB ports that should be able to read any USB |
| friend, but you can backup files, or your entire | | | | device. |
| computer if desired. | | | | CD ROMs are also a popular way to back up your |
| Several back up methods exist. Some computers will | | | | files. A CD ROM looks just like a music CD you would |
| automatically back themselves up; you just need to | | | | buy in a store, but can hold up to 700 MB of |
| find the folder where the back up is stored. If your | | | | information. This allows for large files or a large |
| computer does not have this function, or you are not | | | | amount of small files to be stored on this disk. Once |
| sure if the function exists or is working, manually | | | | you put information onto a CD ROM, you can not |
| back up your files. For example, after creating an | | | | add files or change the files on the disk. This can be |
| important Microsoft Word document, save it at least | | | | one way of ensuring nobody else tampers with your |
| twice in at least two different locations. | | | | work, but can also be frustrating when you would |
| If however, you lose your entire hard drive, it won't | | | | like to back up a newer version of your work. In this |
| matter how many times you have saved the same | | | | case, a CD RW disk may suit you better. RW stands |
| document. To avoid this dilemma, save your files on | | | | for re writable disk. On this kind of disk you can add, |
| something other than the computer's hard drive. | | | | delete and rewrite files until the disk is full. When |
| Floppy disks are not commonly used, but they will | | | | using the rewrite option, be sure you do not |
| work for small files. Be ware that floppy disks can be | | | | accidentally rewrite something you wanted to keep |
| unreliable and often crash just as your computer did. | | | | the back up of. |
| USB Drives are becoming more popular as a back up | | | | |