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!!General Description
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!!CDs and DVDs

<b>CD-ROM</b>: More commonly referred to as "CDs," CD-ROMs were
originally designed for music playback but were modified to also act
as a portable storage devise for other types of digital data. CDs can
hold about 700MB of data.

<b>DVD</b>: Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) are similar to CDs but
they can hold much more data (up to 4.7 GB for a single-sided, single
layer disk or 17GB for a double-sided, dual-layer disk). Both CDs and
DVDs are great for backing up your digital files or even home movies
and pictures.
<br>
Both of the above also come in mini and business card sizes. These
are not as common, but have been used in several cameras.
<br><br>

!!Flash Drives

<b>Flash Drive</b>: Also known as jump drives or USB keys, because
they connect to your computer through a USB port, flash drives are a
popular way to transfer and store digital data. They're roughly the
size of a cigarette lighter or a stick of gum, and they come in a
variety of common storage sizes including 256 MB, 512MB, 1GB, and 2
GB.

Flash drives don't have any moving parts, because they store data on
a small, printed circuit board, so they can be carried around more
conveniently than other portable storage devises. It's common to have
Flash drives on a lanyard, keychain, or even stored in your pocket.
Recent commercialization of these drives have disguised them in
bright colors, new shapes, and even as popular TV and Movie
Characters. This has made them attractive to a larger audience.

The newest versions of these may include a partition that acts as a
CD rom and are designed to carry portable versions of software in
addition to data.<br><br>

!!Memory Cards

<b>Memory Card</b>: Memory cards (or flash memory cards) are commonly
used with digital cameras, handheld computers (PDAs), and music
players. They are square or rectangular, range in size from a
fingernail to the size of the largest postage stamp, and fit directly
into your portable devise and then connect to a computer either
directly or through a special card reader hub connected to the USB
slot on your computer. Like flash drives, memory cards come in the
same variety of common sizes.
<br><br>

!!Portable Hard Drives

<b>Portable Hard Drive</b>: Also known as a USB hard drives or
external hard drives, portable hard drives currently hold the most
data out of the all portable storage devices. They are exactly the
same as the hard drive in your computer but are encased in a box and
connected to your computer through a USB port. A portable hard drive
can be used as back-up for your files, or used as another hard drive
to store your files.
There are 3 main types:
  <b>Mini</b> : these are physically tiny, similar in size to flash
drives or compact flash cards.  Capacity is on the order of 2-12 GB
and is rather slow.  These are typically around the size of a zippo
lighter or a roll of tape.  They are self-contained and run off usb. 
These drives are also used for some CompactFlash cards<br>
  <b>Laptop</b> : these are commonly used in laptops and are
typically either 1.8" or 2.5" devices.  Capacity tends to run from
20-160 GB at the time of this writing.  Put into a portable case,
they can make small, powerful storage.  They can often be run of a
usb port without an external AC adapter.  The 1.8" devices can be the
size of a stack of floppies, while the 2.5" tend to be a bit larger
than a deck of cards.  These still can generate a fair bit of heat,
so look for a metal case.<br>
  <b>Desktop</b> : these are the the same drives used in desktop
system, 3.5".  Capacity runs the gambit, currently toping out at 750
GB.  They can be made portable using an external case, and will
require additional power.  The so called terabyte drives are multiple
drives teamed up to act as one.  Real terabyte drives are on the way
though.<br>

They only come in larger sizes, typically 40 GB, 80GB, 120GB, 250GB,
even as big as a terabyte.
<br><br>

!!Portable Media Player

<b>Portable Media Player</b>: iPods & friends, from 128 MB to 80 GB
...
<br><br>

!!Magnetic Tape

<b>9-track 1/2" reels</b>: The good old standard.  Data capacities up
to 6250 bpi.  Typical reel length is 2400 feet, with resulting
capacity of around 120MB (depending upon the blocking factor).  Makes
a formidable weapon when thrown frisbee-style at your enemies.

<b>QIC (quarter-inch cartridge)</b>: More compact and sturdy than the
9-track reel, this format offers better portability as well as
increased capacity.  Typical capacity is 150-250MB (increased with
later formats).  Though more compact, it has a metal baseplate that
still make it an effective weapon.

<b>8-mm cartridge</b>: Again more compact than the QIC, this format
uses cartridges similar to 8-mm video equipment.  Typical capacity is
2.3-5GB (also increased with later formats).  Unfortunately, due to
its mainly plastic lightweight construction, its use as a weapon is
limited.

<b>4-mm cartridge</b>: Continuing down the size scale, this format
uses cartridges similar to DAT (digital audio tape) equipment. 
Typical capacity is 4-12GB (yes; also increased with later formats). 
Useless as a weapon.

<b>DLT (digital linear tape) cartridge</b>: Reversing the downward
trend, this format again uses a 1/2" tape except this time it is
contained in a 4.1" square cartridge.  The tape length is 1200 feet
or more, with capacities from 94MB to 110GB or more.  Weapon capacity
is increased; due to the weight, it's offensive capability is
comparable to that of the QIC.
<br><br>

!!Category
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CategoryBuyingGuide