Data Storage and Formats
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Every time you open up a media file on a computer, you may notice the differing endings in the names. Some might be “.mov” while others may be “.avi”. These endings represent different storage formats for the file. The same is true for physical data storage as well. These storage formats come in many shapes and forms, such as CDs, external hard drives and USBs. Despite tapes being a very commonly used type of data storage device in past times, they have been outgrown by more recent technologies such as DVDs. Currently, the most commonly used type of data storage device is the USB.
The reason for different types of data storage devices are that different devices are used for different media formats. For example, while a USB can hold almost any type of file such as word documents and images, DVDs are used solely for videos and cannot be used for any other type of data. They will most often provide better quality as well.
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When choosing the best device to store data and media in, there are many ethical issues that need to be taken into consideration. In modern times, there are many portable devices (USBs and External Hard Drives) that can be used to store data. These devices can store a lot of files while also making it relatively easy to move around and transfer data between two or more computers. However, when using these devices to store data, it is important to be aware of copyright laws. Since you will most likely be downloading data from the internet, you must make sure that you have not stolen anything. For example, if you download a movie from the internet, it is considered pirating and is illegal unless you have already paid for it and own the movie. In this case, it is alright to store the media into your device, given that you do not share it with other people or sell it for your own personal benefit.
Another situation where ethical issues must be considered is online data storage. In these online sites, you are able to upload a certain amount of videos and photos so that you may use it at a later date. However, some sites such as FlipDrive, give the option of sharing your data with other people. Since most of them will have not paid for any media that has been copyrighted, it will be considered plagiarism if they have access to your files. This is a problem since they have not paid for the rights to own that media which will cost many companies a fair amount of money, due to millions of people having easy access to it. Therefore, when using online data storage, it is important that you do not share any data or media that does not belong to you and others must pay for.
Another situation where ethical issues must be considered is online data storage. In these online sites, you are able to upload a certain amount of videos and photos so that you may use it at a later date. However, some sites such as FlipDrive, give the option of sharing your data with other people. Since most of them will have not paid for any media that has been copyrighted, it will be considered plagiarism if they have access to your files. This is a problem since they have not paid for the rights to own that media which will cost many companies a fair amount of money, due to millions of people having easy access to it. Therefore, when using online data storage, it is important that you do not share any data or media that does not belong to you and others must pay for.
When attempting to store a movie, it will usually be bought in the form of a DVD. Since this is rather large, difficult to carry around and must have a CD slot to be able to use, many people will most likely opt to carry that movie in a USB. This is possible through media converters that can be downloaded in many places such as the App Store. Converting the movie into a format that can be stored in a USB is very beneficial to the owner. However, this will make it much easier for other people to steal this movie. Therefore, the owner must only have the movie for personal use and is not allowed to give it to other people so they can have it too.