USB Keys - Lifespan??

Hi all,
I recently read in a related thread about a portable version of Firefox which can be run directly from a USB key. Something which was brought to my attention is the fact that there is an expected 'life span' for USB keys, depending on the amount of data that is transferred (this last part is my assumption). Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I tried a search in these forums, as well as a google search, but finding it difficult to find any info about the lifespan of a usb - apart from that which I found at the PortableFirefox website.

Many thanks,
R

 

Snape,

In the past, flash memory had a lifespan on 10,000 writes. I do not know how it fails though. I am sure this has improved since hard drives are being replaced in certain areas where vibration is an issue and so is reliability. I would not worry about it. You'll buy a bigger memory stick before you have to worry about the device failing as a result of use.

George

 

I hope you're right, I just bought a 256MB USB key which I plan to use everyday to launch Firefox from work.

- R.

 

Snape,

Go to any of the flash memory makers (AMD or Intel) and see how many write cycles they have.

So if I have you correct, you are going to put the files needed for Firefox on the memory stick and the support files on the hard drive or are you going to try to put all the files on the memory stick?

George