USB stick tip: WD-40 if your memory stick ends up in the washing machine
James Fallows, the Atlantic Monthly journalist and former White House speech writer, is best known as a commentator on cosmic issues. But his love of tech goes back for decades, and in his blog the other day, he passed on a gem of a tip for people whose USB sticks end up in the wash.
Bottom line: If you drown your USB library of hundreds of e-books—well, maybe you haven’t. Try WD-40 as Jim suggests in a non-e-book context. Your stick might seem to have survived the machine, but WD-40s rust proofing might still save the day.
That said, it’s still a good idea to have your books backed up elsewhere. No certainties here, WD-40 or not.
Related: Newest Kindle and public domain fan: The Atlantic’s James Fallows.
September 11th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I ran a digital camera through wash & dry *twice*. Yes, accidentally! The pics on the SD card were just fine. The camera, not so fine (dryers + LCD = no good!).
September 11th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
You know, as cheap as thumb drives are these days, surely he could afford to just get another one.