[gentoo-user] alternatives to USB sticks for reliable archiving

[Philip Webb <purslow@ca.inter.net>]

250219 Grant Edwards wrote:
> On 2025-02-18, Michael <confabulate@kintzios.com> wrote:
>> I would refrain from stating anything which could well be
>> outside their sphere of knowledge or understanding.
>> I would not mention Linux, ext2, gparted
>> or anything exotic for the average MSWindows user.
>> "I just cannot format these sticks - they took many, many hours
>> and eventually failed.  They are not like the previous USB sticks
>> I bought FROM YOUR SHOP.  Can I please replace them
>> for something more reliable AND FASTER, if need be at a higher price".
> Definitely that.  The second they hear "Linux", they're going to say
> "Those aren't supported on Linux" and turn their backs.
> If you push the issue, they're going to claim the waranty is void
> because you were using Linux.

Then they should definitely advertise the fact that they work only for M$ ;
USB sticks sb reformatable at the customer's wish :
if these aren't, the store should make that clear to the purchaser.
CC is the kind of store you go to if you build your own machines,
so I wb surprised if that was their response ; it's more likely to be :
"They are outside the in-store warranty. You can send them back to the maker".

> Well, that's what would happen in US. Maybe retailers are nicer in Canada ?

Yes, we're all nicer in Canada : that's why the US Prez doesn't like us (grin)

> If they start asking questions, just say: "I tried to format them on
> my PC. It ran for 10 hours, then failed".  It doesn't matter what they ask
> apart from "cash refund, replacement or credit?", that's your answer.

No, you're both quite wrong. "Both sticks came already formatted as 'msdos',
so why were you trying to reformat them, Mr Customer ?
As you should know as a Linux user, Linux systems can RWX 'msdos' files".
To which there is no clear-cut reply.

> I've bought a number of Toshiba and Samsung internal and external SSDs
> (M.2 and USB3) and they have been absolutely solid.  If possible,
> buy flash products from manufacturers that actually make flash chips.
> You know they're not putting the floor sweepings in their own products.

Thanks to both + Frank : I'll definitely look into this.

I have plenty of older but reliable sticks,
but if I can't rely on new ones in future,
I'll need an alternative for long-term system archives.

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