How long do floppy disks last

A.� There's no definitive answer to this one. Floppy disks have been around for a relatively short time, not long enough to determine their maximum life expectancy. It was hoped that if stored properly they could last up to 50 years, however, NASA has reported that it has lost some data that it had stored for 20 years.

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The safe bet is to follow Apple's lead. They abandoned the floppy disk drive when they launched the iMac in 1998 realising that the Internet offered a superior storage opportunity.

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Q.� What is online storage

A.� Online storage, also known as virtual disk space allows you to use the Internet to upload files to a server. Just treat it as an extension of your hard disk, as a means of storing and backing up important files.

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Q.� Do I have to pay to store online

A.� No, there are many companies that provide free online storage services, allowing you to upload files from your computer and store them on the Internet.

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There are also, of course, sites that charge for the service, usually offering additional features.

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Q.� What are the advantages of online storage

A.� The most obvious advantage is that one your data is uploaded onto a virtual disk its safe from any mishaps that befall your computer like theft or a crash. Make sure you make regular back ups though.

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Although floppy disks are portable, many ordinary back-up devices can only be connected to one computer at a time. However, once your files are stored on a virtual disk you can access them anywhere where there is an Internet connection.

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Many online storage systems offer a shared or public folder service. This means that you can share files with friends. This is particularly useful for distributing large files like MP3 files which many email systems block.

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Q.� What are the disadvantages of online storage

A.� Obviously if you go for a free service then you get what you pay for! Upload times can be time consuming and if you're paying for your internet calls then off course it's not 'free' storage for you. Some free services may limit the size or type of individual files that you can store there.

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Q.� How much free storage space do I get

A.� This depends on what's on offer, with some sites offering up to 100MB.

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You can generally upgrade your account to provide even more storage space if you need it, although you'll probably have to pay a subscription fee for this.

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Q.� Where can I find online storage

A.� There are lots of sites offering this service; you can find some of them at:

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http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/On_the_Web/Web_Applications/Virtual_Disk_Drives/Directories/

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Have you got a problem backing up Click here to ask a question.

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by Lisa Cardy