What is a Flash Card?
A flash card, or compact flash card, is a small data storage device that is used in electronic devices. Using a compact flash card can eliminate the need to transport stacks of printed documents. Data can be transferred from one computer to another without printing a single page or photo. Commonly used in digital cameras, compact flash cards can hold thousands of pictures, eliminating the need for photo albums or computer storage space.
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Features
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A compact flash card is commonly referred to as a flash card, CF card or compact flash media card. This data storage device is used in electronic devices to store data they have collected. Compact digital cameras, digital SLR cameras, computers, printers and even GPS devices use compact flash cards to store data they have gathered.
Compact flash cards are reusable. Data can be saved and deleted from the card many times. Formatting the card, either in a computer, or in an electronic device, will clear the card of extraneous data, giving the user as much storage space as possible on the card.
Identification
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A compact flash card is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It is about the size of a matchbook, sturdy and solid state. There are no moving parts in a compact flash card, making it very durable. One end of the compact flash card has a row of tiny holes. These line up with tiny pins, once inserted into an electronic device, creating a path for information to flow from the device to the flash card.
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Benefits
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Compact flash cards are light weight, small and capable of storing large amounts of data. This makes them a convenient option for transporting data from an electronic device to an computer. Several compact flash cards can fit in a small pocket-sized case, eliminating the need for a briefcase full of printed text documents or photographs.
Size
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Although the physical size of a compact flash card doesn't change, users can purchase cards with varying amounts of storage space. Earlier cards were as small as 64 megabytes. Increasingly larger storage capacities are available, in the multiple gigabyte range.
Types
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Compact flash cards are available in Type I and Type II varieties. Each electronic device that uses compact flash cards will state which style of card it requires. The two styles of cards vary slightly in size and storage capabilities.
Compact flash cards are also available with technology to speed up their reading and writing capabilities, or even add a password for security.
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