What would you use when floppy drives become obsolete?

[markblair]

The floppy drive is on its way out. What other alternatives would you prefer to use when floppy drives/disks no longer exist?

* Memory Keys - devices that are the size of a key and run off of USB; currently non-bootable
* CD-R/RW - bootable media with large capacity
* Zip drives - current storage up to 750MB; non-bootable
* The SuperDisk - once touted as the replacement of the floppy with current storage up to 240MB; some versions are bootable

TechRepublic article:
http://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00220030515pxp101.htm
Note: TechRepublic requires that you register to read their content.

As a person who also builds computers, I see the easiest alternative as being CD-R/RW. The idea of using a Media Key is nice but having to go through USB makes it currently a non-bootable device. I'm sure there are other alternatives as well.

So, what would you use? Or maybe you currently use some of these alternatives?

[allan]

Mt first choice would be CD-R/RW drive, but I think the USB drive is a nice idea, especially since they are falling in price so quickly. I already use them as backup devices because they are so convenient to store -- I think they would also be great as boot devices.

[suppleSupport]

I still have a 5 1/4" floppy drive in the ancient mainframe lying at the end of my room (for d*****tion ;)).

Zipdisks are cute, but they're not convenient enough to use often.

I'll go with the CD-R/RW as well.

[nameslave]

Isn't it that CD has ALREADY been the standard? ;)

[markblair]

Originally posted by nameslave:

Isn't it that CD has ALREADY been the standard? ;)

I believe it's standard but some older motherboards don't have the ability to allow bootable CD's. Most newer boards do and thus it will become the next standard, in my opinion. For some, it already is.

[JeremyV]

haven't used a floppy drive in years. Have a zip drive, they are ok, but by no means a simple bootable media alternative. The only time you really need to boot from a disk is for OS installation purposes and some other maintinence.

[net-trend]

Originally posted by markblair:
As a person who also builds computers, I see the easiest alternative as being CD-R/RW. The idea of using a Media Key is nice but having to go through USB makes it currently a non-bootable device. I'm sure there are other alternatives as well.


There are bootable memory keys, but they only work if your BIOS supports it.

I prefer the memory stick to replace the floppy drive because it is small and easy to carry. And besides if you can build computers...you can always put the usb ports up front.

Or if you have a soundblaster extigy it's all external. CD-r/RW is much too troublesome for small files.

[allan]

Originally posted by net-trend:

Or if you have a soundblaster extigy it's all external. CD-r/RW is much too troublesome for small files.

Good point :).

[hostpath.com]

I don't build servers with floppy drives at all any longer, strictly CD or CD-RW. The USB "pen" drives are great for moving files from one machine to another like you would with a floppy, especially as the capacity continues to go up and the prices continue to drop.

[Chicken]

Yep, and though I don't have a fancy pen / memory key, I do have some spare compact flash and smart digital cards lying around for various devices (digi-cam and dv camera), and the small, cheap USB memory card readers work great (just like a pen drive but with removable storage cards).