Three Basic Options for Storing Files in a Virtual World

In today’s high-tech world, hard copies of documents are slowly beginning to become obsolete. Gone are the days of storing bulky file folders in metal cabinets. Even family photo albums are starting to dissipate and lose popularity.

  So, where have these documents and photographs disappeared to? Most people today would find this to be a ridiculous question, but lately more people that had continued to reside in the dinosaur ages till recently are now communicating with loved ones virtually and are finally utilizing devices that they had previously resisted.

   In place of the former go-to storage options that housed hard copies, there is now a variety of options for important records and documents to be stored virtually on the very devices that are being used every day. As technology continues to evolve, these storage options are also changing and expanding with several storage options available for people to choose from.

 First, your computer’s hard drive must be mentioned although for many this may sound like a no-brainer. Types of hard drive storage include internal and external drives as well as RAM storage. While this option does provide some benefits such as a large amount of storage space, downfalls include limitations in sharing documents between devices and loss of files in the event of a malfunction.

 Cellular phones also offer the option of storing photos and documents directly on the device’s hard drive and this option is especially popular for storing pictures that have been taken using the phone or shared through text message. Since people tend to carry their phones with them wherever they go, this may make sense…until the phone is lost or damaged.

  The second option is removable drives, which are handy if you utilize public computers or don’t have a printer at home. They are portable and can easily fit into your purse, pocket, or wallet. Some of the downsides are that they offer a limited amount of storage and their small size can result in them easily being misplaced.

 The third option is to store your records on a cloud. There are several types of cloud services that you can choose from such as using an IT cloud. Clouds provide the benefit of securing your photos and documents in the event of device loss or damage and since this form of storage is web-based, you can easily transfer your records between devices. Cloud services run through the means of cloud computing servers that can be accessed by users via the internet and they provide alternatives of running software, networking, and accessing databases over the cloud server in addition to offering a flexible option for storing files.

  So, if you are finally emerging from that cave or are recovering from a computer crash that resulted in the loss of important documents and you’re now looking for other storage options, these are the basics. While each option comes with pros and cons, it’s probably agreeable that they all sure beat that bulky file cabinet.