14th May 2001
Hauling media around with you is a bit inconvenient, but it turns to utter frustration when you discover that it's been destroyed once you've arrived at your final destination. Whether you're traveling across the room or around the world, a little TLC will ensure you're bits are aligned in the appropriate order. Just like me, removable storage media (Floppies, CDs, Zip disks, Compact Flash, etc.) don't enjoy large fluctuations in temperature. Keep things on an even keel and they won't freeze, melt or suffer the consequences of condensation, which inevitably leads to any number of problems. Keep that in mind when you're packing a bag that will ride in the belly of a plane or duct-taped to the roof of your Jeep - exposure to the elements = bad news. Let's address a common myth right now... airport x-ray machines are nearly always safe for both media and electronic devices unless otherwise specified at the terminal. I wouldn't send a running notebook through one of these contraptions, but turned off, there's little danger.