Memory Stick/Card Info for beginners

[Want-to-know]

I have a desktop computer which is 6 years old. I have always backed up info on cd-rw, but want to change, but I am not sure what to purchase:

1) Is a flash memory stick the same as a flash memory key?
2) Is a memory card and a flash memory card the same thing?
3))I have seen the term USB put infront of the term memory stick. Are all memory sticks USB and if not, what is the difference?
4) Do I need to purchase a flash memory card to go with a stick and is that the kind of card that I would put in the back of my computer?
5)Having a six year old computer, will I be able to take a stick and how would I know? (The manufactuer, Eversham, has been liqiudated, so I cannot call customer support.)
6) Any general information/sites that could help would be most appreciated.
I just want to use the stick as a back-up facility for files.
Thanks.

[markysngc]

1) yes, just different names for same thing

2) again yes, but unless you have a card reader they won't work on a pc, they are for cameras and the like

3) same as 2, usb memory sticks are for computers, memory cards are for cameras and the like

4) no, a usb memory stick is all you need

5) at six years old you computer is almost certain to have usb ports they look like this http://tinyurl.com/6j9tt4 may be on the back only or may have couple on front too

6) there is a selection of memory sticks here http://tinyurl.com/6j9tt4


There is also 2 versions of usb, usb1 and usb2 (they thought hard about the naming!!) they are fully compatible with each other but version 1 is slower, which means if you have USB1 ports on your computer you can plug a USB2 memory stick into it and it will work but will take longer to back your files up.


http://tinyurl.com/5pxrta

[ianmunt]

If your back ups are short turn and regularly being updated a USB flash drive is ideal.If you are making longer term back ups I'd continue using CDs,they're much cheaper !

[Want-to-know]

Thanks for the advice. One further question - you mention Markysngc about a card reader. So do I have to buy this as well as a USB memory stick? How do I know if I have a card reader already? Does a card reader go into the computer, if I have to buy it?

Thanks

[markysngc]

No you don't need a card reader for a usb memory stick, a card reader is just to enable the computer to read non usb memory cards (the type found in digital cameras)

As long as you have USB ports on your computer all you need is a usb memory stick

Though ianmunt is correct in saying that if you are intending to keep backups for a long time CDR's are a better bet

[Want-to-know]

Thanks, both of you.

[ACtheTROLL]

just expanding what ian says ..
bear in mind flash memory is only semi permanent .... with a 5-6year (loaded) shelf life ... after which the components start to reset themselves ... the stick will still work ... but it will be empty.

CD/DVD can live for upto 25 years ... but the question then is will you be able to read them by then.
(I have a box full of betamax tapes containing all my memories .... (sob!) and that's all they are now ...)

[Jenga]

If you are right ACtheTroll then we need to get important photos developed rather than leave them on the pc or save to CD-R's. i.e portraits of ourselves and family and friends. It is no use in saying to yourself in 25 years time I wish I had put got these pictures developed of when I was younger. Good thinking Batman.

[ACtheTROLL]

I suspect I am right
the trick is to back up your backups while you can ...
so transfer Floppy to cd to dvd to bluRay to bionano whatever memory .... etc etc etc

but what you say is true ... you can't beat a bit of paper
or your actual finely carved granite tablet ....