SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive

I must be the original cyber pterodactyl. Both sons and nephew are computer geeks and mom is an idiot. However, kicking and screaming, I am being dragged into modern times. The lads have kicked apart the signal fire, I now have email and no longer rely upon smoke signals.

I use a computer at home for writing, novels, etc, and at school for multiple activities including providing instructional materials for my classes. I teach first grade at the moment.

My SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive is not an item I purchased for myself. It was provided by the co-op which works with smaller Oklahoma schools, providing us with many of the necessities and/or niceties for our classrooms.

Per information gleaned from Tiger.com regarding U3 Technology. SanDisk Cruzer provides a new generation of Mobility. Beyond archetypal recollection devices, U3 smart drives provide ability to take programs along, plus in addition to storing music, photos, and documents, software programs can be stored and run, emails, calendar, personal preferences and the programs to interact with them can be carried along with the user. True mobility and personal computing is now available anywhere.

As are standard USB drives; The U3 smart drives can be used for copying and transferring files and documents. I especially like the drag and drop feature for moving files from -My Computer- or -Windows Explorer-.

The U3 provides an ultimate resolution for carrying a complete personal workspace wherever it is needed.

I have had such good experience with that first drive that I have purchased a second for myself. On the –school- drive I keep curriculum data, grade book, progress sheets and daily work materials for student classroom use. On my own drive I keep genealogy files, books in progress, cook books, downloaded PDF manuals for various household appliances. I think I will continue to add additional thumb drives and ear mark one for genealogy, one for books, etc. Genealogy and books fill up drives quickly.

Since beginning to work on computer for writing a decade or so ago I have stored information on my computer hard drive, one after another has crashed and half a book has disappeared. I used the little 3.5 discs, and lost information, later I used zip drives, CDs and now thumb drives for storing information. I find far and away; the thumb flash drives are the best for storing files, genealogy, books in progress and children’s work sheets.
The capability for keeping grade book, progress reports and curriculum materials at hand on a portable drive is invaluable.

I feel confident that my files are in one place, are safe and that I am the only one able to see them when I carry them back and forth with me each day. As soon as I learn to use the lock feature on the drive I will have added confidence that prying eyes will not have access to the data.

I do use my thumb disk to back up my home system. Losing ½ a book is tedious, time consuming and just plain maddening. The SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive is proving to be a marvelous product for backing up my home system.

The SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive is proving to be an excellent resource in part for it’s efficacy. I had gotten one other type thumb drive for myself prior to receiving the SanDisk Cruzer Drive. in particular I find the retractable USB connector which does away with the need for a cap – the drive I first purchased has a separate cap which I misplace regularity.

I haven't yet tried using the U3 Smart functionality, I worry I will ruin either my drive or computer itself, however, over this summer vacation I’m going to use my instructions and give it a whirl, it does appear that it can be useful and it is time I get over my fear of this dratted machine.

My first SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive was bought for use as portable storage of files for classroom use, the school computers have little storage capability on their little hard drives. My own SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive has been purchased as a back up to my own PC. While my personal computer has lots of space on the hard drive my experience with crashing machines leaves me concerned and wondering when the next will take place.

The driver for each of the flash drives has installed easily on my WIN XP system, thank goodness, I am weary with listening to geek kids speak to me in the tone we reserve for a confused child, -now Mom- spoken in measured tones, -You CAN do this-. Plus the geeks, grown, living in their own homes, one in Kansas the others in California are not at hand most of the time to aid mother, the computer dinosaur.

I is a true chore to try to receive and follow instructions via email when it comes to the workings of this dratted machine.

I am so pleased that transfer of files was and is very fast. I am a type A personality, impatience is a way of life.

Even though I live on the back side of no where, my internet connection is dial up and the computer can and will do odd things my SanDisk Cruzer behaves as though we are playing with –the big boys.-

The Flash Drive itself is lightweight and is easily tucked into an empty mint can for transportation back and forth to school. The drive is compact and harder to find in my brief case, the can keeps the SanDisk Cruzer where I can find it more easily. Some on staff wear their disk on a lanyard, I do not care to do that.

I like the retractable connector. There is no cap to lose, misplace or drop or step on.

I’m not certain how much the co-op paid for the drive they provided. I bought my own SanDisk Cruzer on sale for about $50 at Staples.

SanDisk Cruzer
8GB capacity: Compact in size, the Cruzer USB flash drive is not small in capability. 8Gigs of material can be stored, or stored and transferred to other computers if that is desired.

Per documentation with my drive: U3 Smart enabled: With U3, your programs are available at any time on any PC. The flash drive comes loaded with the following :
U3 programs: CruzerSync synchronization tool, Signup Shield password manager, SKYPE voice over IP software and AVAST virus scan.

USB compatibility: The Micro offers high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity and is backward compatible with all USB 1.1 ports.

Retractable USB connector: The retractable USB port eliminates the need for caps and protects your port.
Easy transport: The small, compact size of the drive allows it to fit on any keychain for easy transport.

While I am not certain what all of this means I do find the retractable USB port useful, the small size is ideal, high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity is a necessity and I will learn how to use the Signup Shield password manager, SKYPE voice over IP software and AVAST virus scan.

Reading online about the Cruzer I find two sites available for learning to use the flash drive efficiently and I plan to avail myself of the knowledge they have to impart.

• Technology In-Depth: USB - Today's Universal Serial Interface
• Technology Introduction: USB Flash Drives

I find the SanDisk Cruzer (8 GB) USB 2.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ6-8192-A11 available at Staples, Circuit City and other brick and mortar stores. If you cannot locate and would like to purchase the drive it is available from TigerDirect.

Happy to recommend.
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Reviewed by Molly's Reviews
molly martin
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Manufactured by: SanDisk
Mfg Part No: SDCZ68192A11
UPC No: 619659035495
Box Size: ( Length: 7, Width: 6, Depth: 1 )
Shipping Weight: .0500 pound(s)
Limited Warranty:
24 months parts; 24 months labor
Limited Warranty: A full text version of the limited warranty may be obtained by mailing a self addressed, stamped envelope to the address below and requesting the warranty for item number: S153-3264
TigerDirect.com
Warranty Information
7795 W. Flagler St. Suite 35
Miami, FL. 33144
About SanDisk Corporation

SanDisk founded in 1988 by Dr. Eli Harari, is headquartered in Milpitas, California. Harari is an internationally recognized authority re non-volatile memory technology. Given the capricious nature of storage and storage problems in the past Harari’s expertise has provided a much needed secure, stable storage solution. During it’s two decade history ScanDisk has burgeoned to develop into the world's principal purveyor of ground-breaking flash memory information storage products.

ScanDisk Corporation
McCarthy Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035
www.SanDisk.com