The entertainment industry is merging with the technology industry when it comes to computer data storage. Just last night there was at least two prime time shows that referenced portable storage technology in one form or another.

One of the more common forms of storage is the USB flash drive. These tiny memory keepers are much more durable than the portable storage systems of the past (like compact discs and floppy discs).

The flash drives can withstand most any of the casual abuse that users throw in their direction. They seem almost impervious to scratches and even dust.

This compact form of USB storage packs a lot of punch for its size. Even the least expensive choices can still store dozens of floppy disks worth of data.

Some of these flash drives can hold more data than a CD (which typically holds around 700 MB). Even a DVD is no match for the pint sized storage.

Things are not all good in the land of USB flash drive storage. The small size of the flash drives can be as much of a determent as it is a benefit. It is easy to lose, forget, or just simply misplace these storage systems.

Flash drives can have problems when it comes to over writing data. Unlike other types of data storage, the USB flash drive storage does not have a write-protection mechanism.

It is also not completely indestructible. It can suffer from damage or have data corrupted by severe impacts.

In all, when it comes to USB storage, the flash drive packs in more data than other storage systems on the market. Besides, it just looks real cool.