Comparing Data Storage: CDs, Flash Memory Cards, and Their Uses

This report provides a detailed comparison between Compact Discs (CDs) and flash memory cards, focusing on their respective strengths and weaknesses as data storage mediums. It explores the evolution of both technologies, highlighting the superior storage capacity and reusability of flash drives, which offer various capacities compared to the limited storage of CDs. The report also delves into the cost-effectiveness, with CDs being initially cheaper but flash drives offering better value for money in the long run due to their higher storage capacity. Furthermore, it discusses the reusability factor, where flash drives excel by allowing data modification and erasure, while CDs offer limited write cycles. The report also addresses the portability and durability aspects, with flash drives being more resistant to damage than CDs. Through this analysis, the report concludes that flash memory cards are the more advantageous option in the current digital age, offering greater flexibility and efficiency for data storage and retrieval.

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Writing communication skills
Comparing CDs with Flash Memory Cards
13-Jan-18
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Writing communication skills
A CD or a Compact Disc is a medium of storing data in a digital optical disc. Initially, these were created
for storing and playing the sound recordings; however, they later on transformed into data storage
medium (Peek, et al 2008). Another mode of data store is a memory card or a flash card, which is also
known as memory cartridge. It is electronic flash memory data storage decide which is used for the
purpose of storing digital information (GEM, 2018). This discussion is focused comparing the two modes
of data storage.
The comparison of flash memory to CDs requires the examination of their uses, their pries and the
storage space offered by them. Based on the needs of an individual, both of these modes provide
different advantages and disadvantages. The flash drives have a higher storage capacity in comparison
to the CDs. This is because the flash drives comes in different storage capacities like 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,
64, 256 and even higher GB of storage. In comparison to this, the CDs only offer data storage in the
range of 700 to 800 MB, which is way less than the data capacity provided by flash drives (Thompson,
2018).
When it comes to the pricing of the two products, the CDs are pretty less expensive as they are easily
available in different packs like 3 and even up to 100 for each megabyte. However, the flash drivers are
higher in costs and yet they provide value for money as they give a higher data storage in a single unit,
for the price paid. When it comes to the reuse value of these two, the flash drive memory offers its biggest
advantage. This is because the flash drive memory cards allow the individuals to add, modify and erase
the data which is stored in the flash drive memory card in real time over and over again. However, the
majority of blank CDs allow the data to be stored on them by burning the disk and that to for a single time.
In case of CD-RWs, these too have a maximum of 3-4 uses before they start presenting quality issues
(Thompson, 2018).
In series of comparing between the two, there is a need to mention that in between CDs and flash drive
memory cards, it is easier to carry a flash drive memory card as it is not prone to breakage or scratches,
as is a commonality in CDs, which render them useless. This also poses a problem where the data stored
on the CDs is lost due to the CD being destroyed or broken. When it comes to carrying of the flash drive
memory cards, it can be simply kept in the pocket of the clothes or bags of an individual (Shelly and
Vermaat, 2008). However, it is important to handle the CDs in a proper manner so that they are not
chipped or broken. This adds to the disadvantage of CDs, which has led to them becoming obsolete in
the digital age. In other words, the digital age has resulted in the flash drive memory cards becoming
more famous and the choice of the individuals; and CDs are not used as much as they were used up to a
few years back. This is especially due to the repeated uses offered by the flash drive memory cards in
comparison to the single or numbered uses of the CDs. Essentially the improvement in technology has
favoured the flash drive memory cards more in comparison to the CDs, offering limited uses and less
storage. A robust performance is offered by the flash drive memory cards, which proves to be no longer
true in the present digital age (Rainer, et al 2013).
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The history of the two products is also quite different, as is their present standing. The very first type of
flash drive memory cards was PC Cards which came out, but were predominantly used for the industrial
purposes and for connecting the I/O devices like modems. Since the year of 1994, there have been a
range of memory card formats which came out and which were smaller in comparison to the initial PC
Cards. This included the CompactFlash, followed by the SmartMedia, and then the Miniature Card. The
need for the smaller cards in the compact digital cameras, and cell phones resulted in the previous
general of the compact cards which looked too big. With the passage of time, there has been a change in
these cards, and they became smaller and more efficient in comparison to the earlier variants (Shelly and
Vermaat, 2008).
The CDs were initially developed by Sony and Phillips and had been released in 1982. When the
technology was just getting introduced during that time, the CDs could store way more data in comparison
to the personal computer hard drive, as it could typically hold around 10 MB. This is the reason why the
market of CDs boomed during the 2000s and every one used it as a mode of storing data (Phillips, 2013).
However, as soon as it grew high, its market share plummeted, owing to the different forms of digital
storage and distribution providing better features in comparison to the CDs. CDs was deemed as the
reason for the demise of floppy disks and the coming of flash drive memory cards did the same to CDs.
Thus, from the discussion carried on in the previous segments, it can be concluded that the two forms of
portable data storage devices, i.e., flash drive memory cards and CDs are quite similar sources in terms
of making available the data being stored on external devices and to be taken to any part of the world.
However, when it comes to the superiority between the two, flash drive memory cards overpower the CDs
due to the number of features which make the former a better choice for storing the data.
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References
GEM. (2018) sandisk 16gb memory card. [Online] GEM. Available from:
https://gem.gov.in/cart/cart_global/describe_items/837119 [Accessed on: 13/01/18]
Peek, J. B. H., Bergmans, J., Van Haaren, J. A. M. M., Toolenaar, F., and Stan, S. G. (2008) Origins and
successors of the compact disc: contributions of Philips to optical storage(Vol. 11). New York: Springer
Science & Business Media.
Phillips, S. L. (2013) Beyond Sound: The College and Career Guide in Music Technology. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Rainer, R. K., Cegielski, C. G., Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, I., and Sanchez-Rodriguez, C.
(2013) Introduction to information systems. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
Shelly, G., and Vermaat, M. (2008) Discovering computers 2009: introductory. Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning.
Thompson, G. (2018) How to Compare Flash Drive Memory to a CD. [Online] It Still Works. Available
from: https://itstillworks.com/compare-flash-drive-memory-cd-7471068.html [Accessed on: 13/01/18]
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Appendix
Paraphrased paragraph
The comparison of flash memory to CDs requires the examination of their uses, their pries and the
storage space offered by them. Based on the needs of an individual, both of these modes provide
different advantages and disadvantages. The flash drives have a higher storage capacity in comparison
to the CDs. This is because the flash drives comes in different storage capacities like 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,
64, 256 and even higher GB of storage. In comparison to this, the CDs only offer data storage in the
range of 700 to 800 MB, which is way less than the data capacity provided by flash drives (Thompson,
2018).
When it comes to the pricing of the two products, the CDs are pretty less expensive as they are easily
available in different packs like 3 and even up to 100 for each megabyte. However, the flash drivers are
higher in costs and yet they provide value for money as they give a higher data storage in a single unit,
for the price paid. When it comes to the reuse value of these two, the flash drive memory offers its biggest
advantage. This is because the flash drive memory cards allow the individuals to add, modify and erase
the data which is stored in the flash drive memory card in real time over and over again. However, the
majority of blank CDs allow the data to be stored on them by burning the disk and that to for a single time.
In case of CD-RWs, these too have a maximum of 3-4 uses before they start presenting quality issues
(Thompson, 2018).
Cut paste of author
Comparing flash drive memory to that of CDs involves examining storage amount, price and use. Both
mediums have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs.
Data Amounts
Flash drives, which give you better portability than CDs, come in capacities of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64
GB, whereas CDs range anywhere from 700 to 800 MB, which is less than 1 GB.
Price
CDs are less expensive to purchase since they are available in packs of 3 to 100, but, per megabyte,
flash drives offer the best value for your money. However, the more flash drive storage you want in a
single unit, the higher the price you'll pay.
Reuse Value
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The biggest advantage to using flash drive memory is you can add, erase and modify data in real time
over and over; most blank CDs let you burn data to them only one time. Even CD-RWs have a limit of
three or four uses before you have quality issues.
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