Alright, let me preface this by saying that I'm aware that this is likely a stupid question, but nevertheless I'd like to be sure before I make a purchase. Thus, please no stupid answers like last time. 1. I can save files from the internet directly onto my flash drive, right? 2. Doing so has no effect on my internal hard-drive disk space, right? So, for instance, if I wanted to download a huge file(s), it would have no affect on my internal disk, correct?
Great -- thanks. Do you know of any cheap ones that don't require software installation (ie: "plug and play"). I have XP.
I think IE temporarily saves to the internal disc (temporary files folder) when downloading anywhere, I'm not sure, but whenever downloading large files using IE it always does some moving at the end. Although, I'm not sure what it does in the event that the internal disc doesn't have enough space but the target does. I'm pretty sure if you walk into a store and grab a usb drive, it'll be plug&play. Otherwise you have really really really shitty luck.
I bought a Kingston 2gb for 5$ at wal-mart. They also had a 4gb for $10. I don't know if that's the same now though. On the thing about downloading to the HD, I also think IE downloads something temporarily to the HD no matter what, you could try to use Firefox with a download manager plug in such as download them all, and it's really good to have portable apps on your USBkey. http://portableapps.com/ Basically it's a program which allows you to install software on your usb key, so you won't have to install them on a PC. It's good if you're going to use another persons computer and they don't allow you to install anything or they don't want you to, or if you're in a library that prohibits downloading/ or work .. who won't let you download an IM client or what ever. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I use Firefox, so I'm thinking I should be able to save direct to the flash drive, but I guess we'll have to see. Also, thanks for the link. I'll definetly look into it. And you can't beat $5 either, .
The only thing that's added to your internal disk is temp files, which are eradicated once the download is completed, or when you do it manually. So the answer to both is yes.
The only reason you may have an issue with a USB drive not being recognized by XP is if a driver is missing. Those are easy to obtain and install from the manufacturer's website though. And be sure to erase those temp files because you want no trace of porn on that PC.
Actually, it's textbooks (I'm writing a thesis), and the files are huge (100+ MBs, all in PDF -- ugh). Maybe for some people it's the same thing, though .