The Great Geek Manual

Nearly two years ago, I helped my father upgrade the “computer system” he uses in his office. I put the phrase “computer system” in quotes because the system consisted of one computer using an old DOS OS, three decade old computers running Windows 95, and one computer running Windows 98. All of these computers had five and a quarter floppy drives. Re-orienting him to the world of Windows XP was “tons of fun”. Nevermind why that phrase is in quotes. The reason he had let his computers lapse into such obscenely ridiculous obsolescence is that he simply didn’t have the time required to transfer hundreds upon hundreds of business files from one computer to another, one floppy at a time.

The problem is a common one. Transferring files, even the age of portable flash drives and Ethernet networking, is a real pain in the ass. I’ve come across a great gadget that takes the hassle out of data transfers – The Tornado.

The Tornado is a USB device for transferring files directly from one computer to another, without installing any software whatsoever. Once you’ve connected two computers with the device – which resembles a retractable extension cord – brings up an interface resembling the Windows Explorer that gives users drag-and-drop usability. Files are transfered at USB 2.0 speeds, and, according to the site, files more 600% faster than with standard flash memory-based storage media.

At US$59.95, it’s not cheap, but it would pay for itself during the first system upgrade in the hands of a corporate system administrator. Check out the official Tornado website.