what programing language makes the smallest code

[esposito]

I think in the UK we would know, flash-drive (Techy end of the spectrum) Pen-Drive (Every day user), I've also heard it incorrectly called a USB Dongle.

Pino

Thanks.

[NeedSomeAnswers]

Yes Flash Drive is fine for the UK, most people will know what it means !

[esposito]

Yes Flash Drive is fine for the UK, most people will know what it means !

Okay, so most people in the UK know what "flash-drive" means but the everyday user will say "pen-drive". Good to know. Thanks.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I believe that Thumbdrive may have been one of the earliest common brands of flash drives sold in the US. That was certainly where I got the name from, though I no longer see them around. While I haven't heard pen-drive very often, I certainly knew what it was, since there are so many names used for those things. Anything *-drive where * is not either floppy, Zip, or hard, is generally a different name for a flash drive.

[esposito]

I believe that Thumbdrive may have been one of the earliest common brands of flash drives sold in the US. That was certainly where I got the name from, though I no longer see them around. While I haven't heard pen-drive very often, I certainly knew what it was, since there are so many names used for those things. Anything *-drive where * is not either floppy, Zip, or hard, is generally a different name for a flash drive.

I agree. In Italy, for example, we can use either the English word ("pendrive") or the Italian expression "chiavetta USB" (literally, "USB small key").

[Shaggy Hiker]

I was just reminded about yet another that has become really common: Jump drive.

I can only assume that this is another manufacturer specific name that has become synonymous with the device itself.

[dilettante]

Jump drive was another manufacturer's product name. Just as "Memory Stick" is a specific kind of flash memory card mountable by Windows as a mass storage device.

Using the generic term "flash drive" covers most of the bases, including cases where USB isn't even involved. I have a SmartMedia card "reader" that attaches via the parallel (printer) port for example, as well as a CF card reader that connects to a parallel ATA "hard drive" port.

If you wanted to cover it even more broadly (USB, FireWire, and eSATA HDs, CDs, etc.) you might use the term "removable drive" instead.


Using terms like "pen drive" strikes me as more than odd. Or maybe we should write about knife drives.

Since the item linked above has a pen in it too though... maybe it's a pen drive after all?

[Shaggy Hiker]

That knife doesn't have a bottle opener. Are they expecting all the geeks to have twist top bottles?

[JuggaloBrotha]

That knife doesn't have a bottle opener. Are they expecting all the geeks to have twist top bottles?

Of course 2Ltr bottles of pop have been twist off plastic caps since day 1