USB Flash Drive for data storage - good or bad idea?

[SnapperOne 0]

At the moment, we currently back-up all of our accounting data on a rotating cycle of 250Mg ZipDisks. While we have not experienced any catastrophic problems, we are nonetheless considering instituting other back-up media so we're not so vulnerable to the whims or problems of Zip technology. At the moment, we are considering both a removeable USB hard drive or USB Flash Drives. Once again, the purpose is simply spread the data-risk over additional technologies.

 

While a removable USB Hard Drive is easier to consider, due to its' familiar format, the USB Flash Drives are quite interesting due to ease-of-use, size, low cost, etc.... During our research so far, however, the Flash Drive reviews we have looked at (Lexar JumpDrive, SanDisk Cruzer, and Curcial Gizmo) don't really seem to address data storage.

 

So, here's the question(s):

 

1) Should we even be considering USB Flash Drives for data storage. And, if they are worth considering........

 

2) Does anyone have good or bad experiences to share about their use of such devices for the task we're considering?

[jmmijo 1]

Since you're currently using smaller media for your current mackup solution have you considered CD-RW drives, either internal or external USB2 devices ?!?

 

An external USB2 HD would be the fastest but it may also be the most susceptable to failure.

 

With CD-RW media you can rotate media on a daily basis.

 

If you need storage for more then what a CD-RW can hold or even a DVD-RW/+RW then perhaps you need to consider a tape backup solution instead.