Modern computers include several USB ports for connecting numerous devices to your computer. Perhaps the greatest use is for connecting digital cameras to your computer.
Printers, scanners, home networking equipment are among over 125 modern devices that come with USB connectors.
Pictured at the left is the connector of the USB cable that plugs into the computer. Since it's a plug and play device, your computer will automatically recognize the device when it is connected and turned on.
Pictured at left is the connector of the USB cable that plugs into USB-capable devices like printers or networking equipment.
Digital camera equipment have different connectors that ship with the camera when purchased.
A great product is the USB Memory Stick that allows you to take information or photos with you and use it on any computer. We use memory sticks to move files from one computer to another and to exchange photos with our family.
USB ports solved a problem for many computer users. The printer needed a parallel port, and most computers had only one. Some printers, however, used a serial port, but so did external modems and other devices. People who wanted to play games on their computer many times had to disconnect some device in order to install their game controller.
Leave it to the leaders in the storage industry to develop a mini hard drive powered by a USB port. The photo shows how small this drive is, and it works exactly like your computer's main hard drive. That little thing holds 40 GB (gigabytes) of data. That's something like 700 hours of music or 100,000 photos.
Advantages of a USB Powered Mini Hard Drive
It works with both PCs and Macs.
It holds data for 30 years. Most CDs are useful for only 10 years.
No external power supply.
On/Off switch for when it's not being used.
It weighs only 3.5 ounces, making it easy to carry your data from computer to computer.
Windows XP will recognize the drive when its plugged in.
Automatic Backup software is included which makes it a breeze to back up your important data.
Author Larry Jameson is CEO of NetVentures Unlimited, Inc., an Arkansas-based corporation, a member of the International Council of Online Professionals and webmaster for Online Little Rock. Larry holds membership in the International Travel Writers & Publishers Alliance. He is also the author of Is Your Online Business Legal? and numerous articles published on websites around the world.
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