so i journeyed to the store today with all intentions of buying a 2GB flash/pen/jump/whatever-you-want-to-call-it drive. i quickly dismissed the 256MB and 512MB drives, as my current storage capacity needs a lot of help... mostly due to use of the digital camera and photoshop.

 

the first option i noticed was a 6GB pocket hard drive: roughly the size and shape of a very large, flattened yo-yo [complete with retractable usb cord to further the analogy]. only twenty bucks more than the 2GB flash drive i was eyeing, it was under serious consideration. it's not like i was planning on carrying the thing in my pocket or around my neck; i just needed some extra storage. having it easily portable was obviously a draw, but not really necessary. i could deal with the yo-yo.

 

on the next shelf over and below are the hard drives. an overkill on the storage predicament and out of my price range for sure, my small mind ponders the need for 160GB of storage. and then i see the 80GB external hard drive. more to the point, i see the price on the 80GB external hard drive. apparently i can sacrifice a hefty chunk of portability, gain 74GB of storage, AND save nine bucks over the 6GB yo-yo. i suppose this is all old hat to you tech gurus out there, but i was completely unaware of the prices of all this stuff. and lo, i was amazed.

 

increase storage by over one thousand percent: check.

 

don't mind me, i'll be busy backing up files all afternoon.