I've recently created this Policy blog for WOU & UCS Policies and possible explanations.
Today I'll be covering the end-of-life support for floppy disks and drives (hereafter referred to as FloppyTech).
As you should well know, FloppyTech has a maximum storage capability of 1.44 MB. Many ages ago (before I was born) FloppyTech was a tried and true technology allowing simple, though perhaps slow, transfer of files from one computer to another (also called a "Sneaker network"). Though relatively stable, FloppyTech quickly became a slow and limited data storage/transfer mechanism. Larger hard disks, (wireless) networks and flash memory became the standards for data storage/transfer.
Then came Windows XP. Here's a feature for you: Pop a windows 9x floppy into an XP machine and what do you get? Corruption! Hear that sound FloppyTech? It is the sound of inevitability...
Thus came the beginning of the end for FloppyTech.
PCWorld stopped making them.
People decided they were useful no more.
Imation stopped making them.
Dell even stopped selling them (you can special order them). It's a brave new world, and it is FloppyTech-less.
Most importantly, UCS no longer supports FloppyTech at WOU. Floppies are not to be used for anything (storage / transfer / etc...) and UCS does not support their use. Flash drives are cheap, fast and durable (seriously, try washing a floppy). Obviously, anything truly important needs to be in two places, but flash drives are a much much better alternative to FloppyTech.
So for all you FloppyTech users out there - stop using them! Your data is screaming for its life. Your computer doesn't like it's floppy drive. Upgrade. You have only to lose your chains.
