Magnets and Portable Drives Don't Mix

     This tip is primarily aimed at the women technologists, but men are not immune from the effects that a magnetic field can have on your portable jump drive, pen drive, or 80 GB outboard backup drive.  If a magnetic field is introduced near the drive, you run the risk of saying goodbye to your data which is stored on it.

     Why the women?  You may store your portable drive in your purse for easy access, and then get a new purse with a magnetic clasp.  Your credit card's magnetic strip may also be deactivated by such a convenience.

     And guys, if you put your portable drive in the same pocket where you keep your cell phone, you might have data erasure if you have your phone set on vibrate or in particular ring modes and someone tries to call you.

     Remember - there is a place for everything, and everything has its place.   And some places are better for storage than others.