Tech Q: CF card as portable storage device?

Here's my dilemma: I need to take some files over to a friend's house, and wouldn't you know, both the CD-Rom and DVD drives on his computer are on the fritz. I know his USB ports are working, however. Is there anything stopping me from copying files onto a 1-gig CF card and taking the card and my card reader over to his house to transfer to his computer? Thought it best to ask, rather than destroy a perfectly usable memory card. Thanks in advance!

Okay, right after I hit send, I realized I could send the files to myself via sendspace (they're too large for e-mail attachments), then just check my mail for download links from his house and download them that way. But I'm still curious whether or not a CF card can be used in this way, so I thought I'd leave this up for curiosity's sake.

Todd: I've used CF cards as portable storage and they work fine. Another option would be to buy a thumb drive (I've got a 4 GB) and travel even lighter - plugs right into the USB w/ no card reader necessary. These days you can buy a 4 GB thumb drive for around $30.

I've done the same with CF cards and SD cards. They work just as well as a thumb drive. I think the last 4GB thumbdrive I bought was a whopping $14!

Mel-

Thanks guys! The thumb drive is probably a good idea for a whole host of things, might as well have one in the desk drawer.

Ditto what Bret and Mel said. I regularly use CFs, SDs, and thumb drives for transferring files in the lab at work.

Thumb drives are the way to go. This should get you started.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=4802&Description=thumb%20drive&name=Top%20Sellers

While thumb drives may seem the way to go, you have the CF card and you have the CF card reader. I use mine all the time because my biggest thumb drive i have laying around is 2gb and there are many times I need more space than that. Plus CF cards read faster unless you buy expensive thumb drives. For the future though pick up a thumb drive. Here is a list of 16gb drives for as little as $30

How about this one?

Jim, I like your line of thinking. I already have the card AND the reader, might as well use 'em.

I think you might be on to something with that particular thumb drive, Todd.

Todd, I've never had a problem with writing to CF cards from a computer.
However, before using the card again in a camera, I always reformat it in the camera .

I had read about this precaution quite some time ago, and it may now be out of date, but since it takes minimal effort I still continue to do it.

No reason not to use the CF or Sd cards for storage; however, I prefer the thumb drive. No reason; just a feeling.

Bill Brennan