Test Drive: Migo 256 MB Flash Drive

Forward Solutions, 2694 Bishop Drive, Suite 270, San Ramon, CA 94583 (925) 328-1100 www.4migo.com Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP. $199.95.

I work on a lot of computers—one in my office at school, another at home, another at the circulation desk, and I often use multiple workstations in the lab. The Migo flash-memory drive, from Forward Solutions, allows me to transport my work files (along with my screen settings and preferences) to any other computer.

The Migo, like most flash drives, is basically a memory chip with a plug that can be easily inserted into the USB port of any computer. A simple wizard program guides you through the initial setup. The Migo software copies the files and folders you select, your Outlook address book, tasks and recent e-mail, your Internet Explorer "favorites," and even your desktop shortcuts and wallpaper, onto the drive. You can also password protect the data you store on the Migo. So if a student finds your Migo, the PocketLogin software will prevent them from accessing your files.

To work with the Migo, click on the small tab that appears at the top of the screen to reveal a thumbnail picture of your original PC desktop; click on the picture to see all the copied files, settings, and preferences. Then work on your files, browse your favorite Web sites, and respond to your e-mail, as usual. When you return to your primary computer, the Migo software automatically synchronizes and updates your files.

I found that I could copy my desktop, all my Outlook files, the last 30 days of e-mail, and up to 100 megabytes of key files, and still have storage space to spare.

However, the Migo has a few limitations. Since it doesn't copy the applications along with your files, any computer you use must have the corresponding programs (such as Outlook) already installed. The Migo also leaves behind some traces of your files. For example, the file name may appear on a recently opened list, even though the file itself is no longer accessible. A just-released version of the PocketLogin software will eliminate these vestigial traces as well as those left in browser cookies and history files.

At $199.95, the Migo is one of the pricier flash drives. But its software for Windows is a great advantage, with the convenience of synchronized files and file access security. If you work on more than one PC, consider the Migo.