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Is ZIP Really Dead?

Well, nice input everyone. Just to make it clear, I wasn't trying to be defensive, well maybe I was, but It was only to make an argument more fun. I still don't think buying an ipod for file transfer is the best way to go. I don't exclude CD-Rs as they serve many purposes and are useful, but CDRWs are garbage in my opinion. Memory sticks are good i guess, but again, one costs like 200 bucks +. WHat If I need more than 500 MBS? buy another?
External HDDs are still kind of bulky and there is a security thing at my college that wont let it get hook up hdd very easily. So i guess it's out of question.
I'm happy with my zip and no matter what you said wouldn't change my mind because obviously there is tons of bias present here.
I was just interested what people thought of Zips. Why they say zips are dead, and what competes with zips.
I got the answer pretty much I expected all along.

So thanks for your input everyone. I'm off this topic.
 
Originally posted by Rezet
I got the answer pretty much I expected all along.

So thanks for your input everyone. I'm off this topic.
Click to expand...
it's always nice to have confirmation of suppositions. i'm certainly glad that you called us right. it strengthens my faith in your judgment. i have to agree with you about the iPod; it's not a very practical method of mobile storage, if that's all you want. you can get a regular pocket FW hard drive for much less money... but it won't be nearly as cool or useful at so many other things. ultimately though, we're all glad you're happy with your own opinions. if i weren't happy with mine, i would kill myself. or change them. or something.
 
What security issue?

Originally posted by Rezet
External HDDs are still kind of bulky and there is a security thing at my college that wont let it get hook up hdd very easily. So i guess it's out of question.
Click to expand...

Considering a Zip Drive is simply seen by the system as a removable HARD DRIVE whether it is plugged in via USB or Firewire or built-in, WHAT IS THE SECURITY DIFFERENCE? Confusing a bit here.

As for the SIZE -- as mentioned MANY times before, there are HD/iPods/etc. that are much smaller than Zip Drives.

WHY did you even ASK the question if the logical answers were to be ignored.

Just -- "I like Zip drives" in your signature would have served the same purpose with MUCH LESS bandwidth wasted here.
 
Zip costs more than CD.
Zip corrupts easily.

BUT!

CD's are not as easily reusable. Sure there are rewritables, but it's not the quite same thing as Zip or Magneto Optical disc or even older floppies.

So, no, I don't think Zip is dead yet. Until data storage device that is cheap and also easy to use comes along, CD and Zip (or at least Zip-like device) will stick around.

But I do think Zip 750 is over priced. I see plenty of people doing just fine with Zip 100 or 250.
 
First, I apologize if this was already posted.

While the Zip drives we knew may be dead, it seems the company is trying to re-vitalize the brand. Here's a Forbes article about new "matchbook-sized" zip drives.

http://forbes.com/2003/07/24/cx_ah_0724tentech.html

Squire
Click to expand...
Yeah, I saw that article. Looks kind of like earlier iOmega product, pocket drive or something.

That does look promising.

That reminds me of Minidisc. I don't know why Minidisc wasn't pushed for data storage device.
 
Originally posted by Rezet
Well, nice input everyone. Just to make it clear, I wasn't trying to be defensive, well maybe I was, but It was only to make an argument more fun. I still don't think buying an ipod for file transfer is the best way to go. I don't exclude CD-Rs as they serve many purposes and are useful, but CDRWs are garbage in my opinion. Memory sticks are good i guess, but again, one costs like 200 bucks +. WHat If I need more than 500 MBS? buy another?
External HDDs are still kind of bulky and there is a security thing at my college that wont let it get hook up hdd very easily. So i guess it's out of question.
I'm happy with my zip and no matter what you said wouldn't change my mind because obviously there is tons of bias present here.
I was just interested what people thought of Zips. Why they say zips are dead, and what competes with zips.
I got the answer pretty much I expected all along.

So thanks for your input everyone. I'm off this topic.
Click to expand...

Good, if a zip is best for you than buy it, don't let what's best for others stand in your way.
 
Originally posted by abdul
my mate got a usb memory stick for 1gb for £25 and works a charm. its also is just as big as a thumb, not very then
Click to expand...

OMG. So you got a good 1 gb memory stick for around $40?
Why don't you back it up and let us see some links.
From What I see is that 512Mbs ThumbDrive costs 200+ bucks. So please....
 
Vlade: Dude, I do believe 25 pounds ~ 40 bucks.

abdul: OMG! Gimme a link! 1 GB keychain drive for $40?!?! Wow.

Back to the topic at hand...

I think that Zip, at its inception filled a niche that was unique. Namely, it provided high-capacity portable storage. When CD burners came along, Zip was still very useful as a portable rewritable format. But, with the inception of USB keychain drives, ultraportable HDDs, and dirt-cheap CD-Rs, I think Zip's powerful hold on the market it created has been slipping.

Before, Zip was the middle ground between floppies and CDs. Now, we're seeing all of these self-contained (read: plug-and-play, no special readers) devices flooding the market. As USB keychain & portaHDD memory capacities increase and prices drop, I believe that those who used Zip as a convenient file storage solution for shuttling their own files to and fro may ditch Zip.

IMHO, Zip is past its prime, but we can't say that it is dying. In time, USB keychain drives and portaHDDs (and maybe network data archives) will take over Zip's market, but for now, it still occupies a niche filled by no other device.

To think fancifully for a moment, the increasing integration of Bluetooth into portable consumer devices may accelerate Zip's doom, as wireless communication means that isolated storage solutions (like keychain drives and portaHDDs) will become increased connected, and wireless transfers (Bluetooth2? high-speed PANs?)between such devices may replace handing your friend a Zip disk or a CD.
 
Originally posted by iMook
Vlade: Dude, I do believe 25 pounds ~ 40 bucks.
Click to expand...

Wow... I'm an idiot, for some reason I thought that the original poster said 40 pounds, not 25. Sorry, My bad:rolleyes:

Anyways... thats a good deal!
 
Originally posted by Rezet
OMG. So you got a good 1 gb memory stick for around $40?
Why don't you back it up and let us see some links.
From What I see is that 512Mbs ThumbDrive costs 200+ bucks. So please....
Click to expand...

I use Compact Flash in my Nikon and as a portable drive (with a USB adapter -- firewire also available I think). I love the portability and the ability to use it on PeeCees and Macs.

Some pretty good prices these days too.

$89.99 shipped for 512 MEG

$175.95 shipped for 1 GIG Compact Flash
 
Originally posted by BigJayhawk
I use Compact Flash in my Nikon and as a portable drive (with a USB adapter -- firewire also available I think). I love the portability and the ability to use it on PeeCees and Macs.

Some pretty good prices these days too.

$89.99 shipped for 512 MEG

$175.95 shipped for 1 GIG Compact Flash
Click to expand...

Well, it still isnt 40 bucks and it stll isnt a thumbdrive. You still need to buy a "drive" to copy stuff from coputer. And IF other person doesnt have it, you are screwed. WHats good about it?
Link you gave me for $175.95 is actually $229.99 and that is not including a drive. Compare at 750 zip disc at 10 bucks, how is this a good deal?
 
That sounds like a good deal. Back in 1999 I was paying $15 for 100 MB Zip disks and now you are paying $10 for 750 MB disks. I still think Zip drives are useful, too. I have seen them in both my colleges, my sister's college, and at high school. It makes things pretty convenient to stay on the same page as everyone else at school.
 
Originally posted by Rezet
Well, it still isnt 40 bucks and it stll isnt a thumbdrive. You still need to buy a "drive" to copy stuff from coputer. And IF other person doesnt have it, you are screwed. WHats good about it?
Click to expand...

I really hope that was a tongue-in-cheek comment. Or at the very least you see the irony. :)

BTW, welcome back to the thread. ;)


Lethal
 
Originally posted by Rezet
Well, nice input everyone. Just to make it clear, I wasn't trying to be defensive, well maybe I was, but It was only to make an argument more fun. I still don't think buying an ipod for file transfer is the best way to go. I don't exclude CD-Rs as they serve many purposes and are useful, but CDRWs are garbage in my opinion. Memory sticks are good i guess, but again, one costs like 200 bucks +. WHat If I need more than 500 MBS? buy another?
External HDDs are still kind of bulky and there is a security thing at my college that wont let it get hook up hdd very easily. So i guess it's out of question.
I'm happy with my zip and no matter what you said wouldn't change my mind because obviously there is tons of bias present here.
I was just interested what people thought of Zips. Why they say zips are dead, and what competes with zips.
I got the answer pretty much I expected all along.

So thanks for your input everyone. I'm off this topic.
Click to expand...


Yeah, it sucks realizing you made a bad purchase decision. Don't worry, most of us have done it at one point in our lives. I feel your pain. Well, when your zip breaks, and it will eventually, you can pick up a firefly type HD or the iPod which is a little more bang for your buck. Enjoy using your zip drive. Get your money's worth out of it! Also, many people here have posted their opinions based on experiences. Sorry if you're confusing that with "bias".
 
One last thought. For those that think iPod's are not the way to go... If you do the standard $/megabyte of storage comparison they're not such a bad deal.

30 Gig iPod = 30000 megs for $500

that is the equivalent storage of:

40 750 meg zip disks = 30000 megs
40 zips @ $15 each = $600
PLUS THE COST OF THE DRIVE. ($179.99)

For $280 less you can buy an iPod and whatever portion of it you're not using for data you can throw a couple hundred CD's worth of music and carry it around in your pocket. It's a dual usage device. If anyone thinks that's not a good way to go they are in serious denial.
 
Originally posted by andrewh
One last thought. For those that think iPod's are not the way to go... If you do the standard $/megabyte of storage comparison they're not such a bad deal.

30 Gig iPod = 30000 megs for $500

that is the equivalent storage of:

40 750 meg zip disks = 30000 megs
40 zips @ $15 each = $600
PLUS THE COST OF THE DRIVE. ($179.99)

For $280 less you can buy an iPod and whatever portion of it you're not using for data you can throw a couple hundred CD's worth of music and carry it around in your pocket. It's a dual usage device. If anyone thinks that's not a good way to go they are in serious denial.
Click to expand...
for people who want small but no ipod i recommend the firefly drives, i think they use the same drive.

iJon
 
Originally posted by andrewh
One last thought. For those that think iPod's are not the way to go... If you do the standard $/megabyte of storage comparison they're not such a bad deal.

30 Gig iPod = 30000 megs for $500

that is the equivalent storage of:

40 750 meg zip disks = 30000 megs
40 zips @ $15 each = $600
PLUS THE COST OF THE DRIVE. ($179.99)

For $280 less you can buy an iPod and whatever portion of it you're not using for data you can throw a couple hundred CD's worth of music and carry it around in your pocket. It's a dual usage device. If anyone thinks that's not a good way to go they are in serious denial.
Click to expand...

Yeah, had to comment on the one with flash memory one. Just couldn't resist :)
And as for you, If we are talking about just raw numbers, tnen ofcourse its cheaper to just get external HDD, not ipod.
I can get 80GB Hdd for like 100 bucks. Why get Ipod then hehe.
And you forget important thing. If I pod breaks you are screwed. You will have to cash out another 500 bucks. STOLEN? DROPPED? If Zip disc breaks you have to cash out another 10-15 bucks, as I doubt all "40" discs will break. And I don't need that many, maybe 2-3.
Besides, witch cheap stuff like cds or even zips you dont have to be afraid that you may damage them by doing something like breathing on them or something.
If apple thought iPods were also designed to transfer stuff, they would market it as "that" as well. BUt they only market it as Music player.
 
Originally posted by Rezet
Yeah, had to comment on the one with flash memory one. Just couldn't resist :)
And as for you, If we are talking about just raw numbers, tnen ofcourse its cheaper to just get external HDD, not ipod.
I can get 80GB Hdd for like 100 bucks. Why get Ipod then hehe.
And you forget important thing. If I pod breaks you are screwed. You will have to cash out another 500 bucks. STOLEN? DROPPED? If Zip disc breaks you have to cash out another 10-15 bucks, as I doubt all "40" discs will break. And I don't need that many, maybe 2-3.
Besides, witch cheap stuff like cds or even zips you dont have to be afraid that you may damage them by doing something like breathing on them or something.
If apple thought iPods were also designed to transfer stuff, they would market it as "that" as well. BUt they only market it as Music player.
Click to expand...

Yes, good points. The iPod can be kind of flakey -- I'm on my second one already. Started with a 10 gig and got a 30 gig replacement from CompUSA. You're right, you shouldn't use something like that as your only storage of critical data. I'm lucky enough to have mulitple internal hard drives and a Superdrive. The iPod is designed to transfer stuff, it's a standard HD inside it like the firefly. They don't market it that way because they don't want to confuse the marketing and product branding. An MP3 player is sexy, and external HD by itself is not.

I was just using general numbers above. And hey, I didn't mean to attack you personally or anything, just adding to the debate in here. I can't believe the original question could spawn such a long thread. Seriously, your zip will work just fine for you.
 
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