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Portable USB flash memory device in a pen-type physical format, hot-swappable. Comes in 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB sizes. USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compliant. Includes KeySafe software to password protect contents. Requires Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP; Mac System 8.6 or later; Linux kernel 2.4 or newer. The device reviewed here is the 64 MB module.
DiskOnKey USB flash memory storage device, quick start card for the Disk On Key device, quick reference card for the included KeySafe security software, one sheet of stick-on disk labels.
I am addicted to portable storage devices. I have been using my Archos Jukebox Recorder for about a year now to transport files to and from clients’ locations, and it has become indispensable.
While there are many ways to transport files such as ZIP disks, CD-R disks, the humble floppy disk, and even e-mail, each has its limitations. File size makes floppy disks nearly useless and ZIP disks are frequently not big enough, particularly with graphics files. (The newish 250 MB ZIP drives are not common enough to be useful.) While 100 MB ZIP drives are common, USB ports are nearly universal; I can always find a USB port to plug in to. 
Given my use of portable storage devices, it’s natural that the DiskOnKey device caught my attention. It’s about the size of a felt pen, small enough to be pocketable, and, hey, it even has a key ring attached. There is a pen-type clip that allows you to clip it to shirt pocket. (The key ring is removable.) It gets its 50 mA of power from the USB port (It doesn’t need batteries), has a snap-on plastic cover much like a pen cap, and has an internal LED indicator light that glows through the translucent case to let you know what’s going on.
One of DiskOnKey’s best features is its transparency. Just plug it in to the USB port and it’s ready to use. This is in contrast to nearly everything else that you plug into a USB port that requires a driver to be preinstalled before the operating system knows what it is. The one exception is Windows 98SE, which does require a driver.
The documentation is sparse. For a device like this, that’s good news. It is supposed to be usable without special instructions or techniques, so should not require a great deal of explanation. You will probably want to keep track of the quick reference card for the KeySafe software, though; it contains useful reminders for using the security software.
Using the DiskOnKey is so simple it nearly defies useful description. You just plug it into a USB port and is shows up as another disk drive. In Windows, open My Computer or Windows Explorer to view files. (Oddly, Windows XP doesn’t open a window on it, which seems unusual because XP opens a window on everything else that you stick into it.) On the Mac, a window is opened automatically, same as any other disk you stick into it. On Linux, you mount it like any other disk, then browse it with your favorite file browser.
In all cases, it is wise to unmount the device before removing it. In Windows, stop the device from the system tray. On the Mac, drag the desktop icon to the trash. In Linux, unmount it by whichever method you prefer. You do want to stop/trash/unmount it before removing it, because if you remove it while files are open on it, you risk file corruption, just like any other disk. Users of PCMCIA flash memory cards are familiar with this procedure.
Once you plug the device into a USB port, the embedded LED flashes rapidly while it is mounting, then settles down to a slow, steady pulsing while it is doing nothing. File accesses cause the LED to flash like a hard drive LED, and when the activity is complete, it settles down to pulsing again. This constant pulsing is at a soothing pace, so it’s not as frantic as it sounds, and it has served to remind me several times that the device is present on a client’s machine, so I don’t walk off and forget it. But on a laptop, where the device is sticking out of the side and in your line of sight, the pulsing is a distraction. It’s more of a conversation starter than I would like, as it gets the attention of everyone within eyesight. Of course they ask you what it is. Now, the reason I open the laptop to begin with is to try and get something done, so its distractions at that point aren’t particularly appreciated. One observer cynically asked me what time it was set to go off. High on my wish list is some way to turn the pulsing off and on. 
While the device is mounted, you can copy, move, view and edit files just like any other logical drive. File transfer speed is typical USB speeds, which approach hard drive speeds with USB 2.0. The file system is FAT, which ensures maximum compatibility across platforms. (All operating systems read and write FAT.) Conventional disk software tools work on the file system, so you can format it, Scandisk and Defrag it like any other drive, but it works through a device driver, so things like PartitionMagic don’t see it.
Some specs you may be interested in (Hey, what did you expect? I’m a geek.): max operating altitude 20,000 ft.; max non-operating altitude 40,000 ft. (hey, what did you expect? I fly Learjets for a living.): the device get its power from the USB port; about 325 microamps idle, 50 milliamps max when active (USB ports can provide 500 milliamps of 
current): read speed 1 MB/s, write speed 0.85 MB/s (the device is listed as a “full speed” USB 2.0 device): data will last for ten years if you toss it in your desk drawer and forget about it: dimensions are 3.86x0.99x0.72 inches, weight is 0.78 ounces.
Despite the dearth of documentation in the box, the DiskOnKey itself contains expanded documentation as well as the KeySafe software. There is no accompanying disk with software; all software is on the DiskOnKey itself. It seems wise to copy the software from the DiskOnKey to your hard drive somewhere; if you resize a Privacy Zone or change your password, the DiskOnKey is reformatted and all the contents are lost. While this seems a bit extreme, it is a high form of security and decreases the possibility of unauthorized access to the Privacy Zone if you lose or misplace the device. The KeySafe software itself is fairly straightforward to set up and use, but you need to copy it to any computer you plan to use to access the protected data. This can be accomplished onthe- fly, so to speak, by simply keeping a copy of the KeySafe software on an unprotected zone on the DiskOnKey, where it can be copied to a new machine on the first encounter. KeySafe is device specific: you cannot use one copy of the software to access different DiskOnKey devices; you must use a separate copy of KeySafe for each DiskOnKey.
There is a new line of DiskOnKey device called DiskOnKey Pro. They differ from the original DiskOnKey principally by including a 32-bit ARM7 processor, which allows programs to be run from the device, and its styling, which is decidedly sleeker than the Magic Marker appearance of the original device.
I’m a techhead, so I tend to judge technology by performance, not appearance, but I recognize that styling broadens a device’s appeal, so it seems a proper enhancement. Line up two devices with similar specs and I’ll choose the better looking one every time. The Pro line tops out at 256 MB, rather than the 512 MB of the original, so if size is a factor, look at the original DiskOnKey.
Any downside to the DiskOnKey? My only gripes are the constantly pulsating activity light, and the key ring, which is attached to the wrong end of the device. Attached to the cap, rather than the device, it’s too easy to wind up with your keys attached to the empty cap, leaving you with a rather expensive plastic key fob.
Still, its virtues far outweigh these minor shortcomings It’s small enough to carry in a pocket, big enough to hold graphics and video files, and is transparent to all common operating systems. Just plug it in and use it. With USB 2.0, it’s very fast transferring large files. It realizes one of the most useful applications of flash memory in a form factor that makes it easy to use. And the Cool Factor is a 9.5 out of 10. Highly recommended.
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Product Information:M-Systems DiskOnKey USB Storage Device 8371 Central Ave., Suite A Price: (Web prices: approximate) |
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