Rating: 
Summary: Encrypt your files in case you lose your JumpDrive
Review: I love this JumpDrive! It's a cinch to use and the transfer speed is excellent, once you format it for NTFS as mentioned by another reviewer.I also used PGP to encyrpt my files in case the drive should fall into the wrong hands. You can get PGP Personal Desktop at www.pgp.com, or there are a number of other encryption programs available. I was worried about a complete stranger getting access to my financial info, but after hours of fiddling I couldn't get the Windows XP Professional encryption system to work (I copied my private key to another computer but it still wouldn't decrypt), so I went to a third-party program. I keep all of my files, personal and business, including my Outlook personal folders (the outlook.pst file) on this drive. I have configured Outlook on all of my computers to access the outlook.pst file on the JumpDrive directly, to avoid having to copy the file back and forth, and it works seamlessly and quickly. I work on four computers regularly so for me this solution is much better than using a laptop (I've had bad experiences with laptops!). I highly recommend this device for yourself or as a gift.
Rating:
Summary: Encrypt your files in case you lose your JumpDrive
Review: I love this JumpDrive! It's a cinch to use and the transfer speed is excellent, once you format it for NTFS as mentioned by another reviewer. I also used PGP to encyrpt my files in case the drive should fall into the wrong hands. You can get PGP Personal Desktop at www.pgp.com, or there are a number of other encryption programs available. I was worried about a complete stranger getting access to my financial info, but after hours of fiddling I couldn't get the Windows XP Professional encryption system to work (I copied my private key to another computer but it still wouldn't decrypt), so I went to a third-party program. I keep all of my files, personal and business, including my Outlook personal folders (the outlook.pst file) on this drive. I have configured Outlook on all of my computers to access the outlook.pst file on the JumpDrive directly, to avoid having to copy the file back and forth, and it works seamlessly and quickly. I work on four computers regularly so for me this solution is much better than using a laptop (I've had bad experiences with laptops!). I highly recommend this device for yourself or as a gift.
Rating:
Summary: Great product (but a little expensive at the moment)
Review: I really like this product, but for the price (unless you really need a LOT of storage space) the 256MB version is really MUCH MUCH CHEAPER and hits a great price point. Otherwise, it is a great product.
If you think about it, there really are only 4 ways to exchange technology between computers (for the average person).
You could use a floppy drive -but they are not standard anymore on next generation computers, and they only hold 1 megabyte of infomation -hardly enough to handle more than a low resolution picture or two.
Or, you could use a Zip drive. But here's the problem. You now have 100, 250, and 750 megabyte drives, and though you can read any of the older zip disks with a newer drive, you CANNOT WRITE ON THEM (and the reading process is REALLY slow). I made this mistake, and I am stuck with a 750 Megabyte drive that no one else has, so I can't do much more than backup my own data.
Or, you can burn information to a CD-rom and move it that way. Yes, you can do this, IF you have a burner and a blank cd on the computer you need data from, but that very likely may not be an answer either for casual transfers.
And finally, what I had been using most of the time, email. You can realistically email up to 3-5 MB of pictures or files -but really only if you have broadband. Pretty easy to use, and many people have it, but not a solution for photos or large files.
This is where the jumpdrive comes in -and I think it is the perfect replacement. It is the size of your little finger and (this version) holds 512MB! Best of all, the price is coming down every month. (If you're still a little price-shy, wait 6 months and it'll drop in half -or, consider purchasing the 256MB or the 128MB model which are even better values for what you get. The 512 is more valuable for MP3/photo transfers.)
Haven't used one before? You pull of the cap and plug the drive directly into your comuter's USB port. (You don't need any software or drivers to preload -you just plug it in to any computer.) When it is plugged in the computer automatically recognizes it as a new drive right on your desktop. I.e. Go to your "My Computer" section and it now shows up as "Lexar Media (H:)" You then treat it like you would any other drive -you can save files to it, or you can just drag and drop files to it. Once the light stops flashing just pull it out, cap it, and go.
Here's another cool thing about the Lexar version of this drive. There is a little green light on the memory stick that lights up and blinks when it is first plugging in, and also when it is loading data. This will prevent you from removing the stick before the data is loaded -which is usually something that happens very quick!
I am very happy with this portable drive. It is something that is effortless to use, and is small enough that it can basically hang on your keychain so you have it wherever you need it. (In fact, there is actually a hook on the top of the drive so you can clip or hook it to whatever you want.)
The only thing to keep in mind is that it is a little small, and can get misplaced easily. If you are not going to carry it with you (with your keys), I'd recommend putting it somewhere that you are not going to forget, or tying a bulky keychain to it so it can't get lost.
One more thing, I recently got rid of my old computer -and I mean my VERY old computer. I needed to move all my files. Unfortunately, I found that my Zip Drive on the computer no longer worked, and only one USB port even functioned any more. In came the jump drive to save the day. I spent the next 30 minutes moving over all my files to my new computer. Floppy would have worked for Word files, but this Jump Drive was a dream for all my MP3s that I'd burned and the pictures that I'd taken.
I got a jumpdrive for my parents, and they've actually started to use it. Amazing -that alone makes it worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: The Simplest Gadget I've Ever Owned
Review: I saw someone use one of these and bought one on Amazon the same day. Now everyone that sees mine runs out to buy one! Imagine carrying something on a key change that stores the equivalent of 350+ floppy disks! I have used this to transfer all of my files to a new laptop and to copy them over to my home PC. Our color printer blew up this week, so with a deadline approaching, I put several large files on this JumpDrive and took them to a local print shop. I also had a presentation to give with several other presenters. Rather than swap out laptops during breaks and rewire them to the LCD Projector, we just stuck our oversized Powerpoint presentations on JumpDrives and plugged them into the same computer. You just stick it into the USB port of any computer and you're in business! Can you tell I love this thing?!
Rating:
Summary: The Simplest Gadget I've Ever Owned
Review: I saw someone use one of these and bought one on Amazon the same day. Now everyone that sees mine runs out to buy one! Imagine carrying something on a key change that stores the equivalent of 350+ floppy disks! I have used this to transfer all of my files to a new laptop and to copy them over to my home PC. Our color printer blew up this week, so with a deadline approaching, I put several large files on this JumpDrive and took them to a local print shop. I also had a presentation to give with several other presenters. Rather than swap out laptops during breaks and rewire them to the LCD Projector, we just stuck our oversized Powerpoint presentations on JumpDrives and plugged them into the same computer. You just stick it into the USB port of any computer and you're in business! Can you tell I love this thing?!
Rating:
Summary: Thanks!
Review: I would just like to say thanks to all the great people who take time to write such excellent reviews. I just bought this Lexar JumpDrive based on the reviews it got, and am completely bowled over by this tiny gadget that holds so much stuff and is so easy to use. Thanks, everyone!
Rating:
Summary: I wrote a previous review...still great but some advice...
Review: I wrote a rave review about this product on 8 Dec 03. I continue to rate this product 5 stars even though the last 6 weeks I had problems with it. I want to share what I discovered with whoever purchases this product....I am an experienced communciations engineer. I work in the field and right now I am in Asia - its always dirty where I work. Second, my JUMPDRIVE started giving me problems and I wrote 8 messages to Lexar support asking for help/advice..I got back 1 message which was a "canned" message and did not even reference my problem. Do not count on their support group for help. I tried everything to repair it (new USB drivers, new USB hardware ports, different computers, reformats...) but the problem was intermittent sometimes it would work and sometimes not. The FINAL day before I was going to end its life with a hammer I discovered the problem. I decided to open it up and look for bad solder joints...but before I did so and as I was looking where to crack it open I realized that the "write protect switch" (which is a very small opening)had collected some dust in/on it. I moved the switch back and forth with a few times with a paper clip to clean the contacts and BINGO! It works perfect again. I have since put a single wrap of black electrical tape over the write protect switch to keep out dirt/dust. I recommend doing this depending on your environment... Nevertheless, it is a great product but very, very bad support for it....probably because it is so good.
Rating:
Summary: ...it is simply great!
Review: Perfect for professional and home use - no fuss, no mess, fast, reliable and reasonably priced...simple a great item. I have attached a lanyard to it and when it is not in my pocket is it around my neck so I ALWAYS have it with me. I have used it with Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP and within 10-15 seconds it is on-line and working. I am so impressed that I am now looking for a Lexar MP3 Flash Drive so that I can liston to my Russian lessons while I travel. Also, I am now convinced that Flash Drives have matured and the Floppy disk is dead - why bother with them anymore? This is a product that works and it will just get better and better with every development. I think I would prefer that it had a metal case instead of plastic as I am a professional engineer and travel quite a bit so it does take some punishment and I fear that some file that I need while traveling will have been crushed but the plastic is fairly strong and for the price - well - it is simply great. I have no complaints.
Rating:
Summary: ...it is simply great!
Review: Perfect for professional and home use - no fuss, no mess, fast, reliable and reasonably priced...simple a great item. I have attached a lanyard to it and when it is not in my pocket is it around my neck so I ALWAYS have it with me. I have used it with Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP and within 10-15 seconds it is on-line and working. I am so impressed that I am now looking for a Lexar MP3 Flash Drive so that I can liston to my Russian lessons while I travel. Also, I am now convinced that Flash Drives have matured and the Floppy disk is dead - why bother with them anymore? This is a product that works and it will just get better and better with every development. I think I would prefer that it had a metal case instead of plastic as I am a professional engineer and travel quite a bit so it does take some punishment and I fear that some file that I need while traveling will have been crushed but the plastic is fairly strong and for the price - well - it is simply great. I have no complaints.
Rating:
Summary: Pocket Rocket
Review: This is one of those gadgets that can quietly change the whole way you do computing. With a half gig of storage (one gigabyte also available) it is possible to put major chunks of one's work on a device about the size of a cigarette light. For most folks, they could put all of their stuff on it. The no-moving-parts drive is even fast enough to us as a regular drive for many purposes. That means that you can carry everything in your pocket. And that means that - anywhere there is a computer with a USB port, you are about 10 seconds from being in business. Gone are the days of carrying around a portable as a permanent part of one's dress code. In addition, all kinds of new devices are coming with USB ports, so the JumpDrive is the SneakerNet of the future. Reliability is good. Generally if it stands up to a week of being plugged into one place after another it will last without any problems. Do keep in mind, though, that USB is a mechanical connection and you have to be careful. Especially if you are a klutz like me. As it happens this device has already saved be from a major data crisis. Anything that will turn a hit into a near miss is well worth this price.
| 
