U3 Smart Memory Sticks:
What are U3 smart memory sticks?
U3 smart memory sticks are the next generation of USB flash drives. Using built-in encryption they can keep your data safe and secure. Elementary Reports can (optionally) be installed to a U3 memory stick. After installation, you can insert the U3 stick into any PC (running Windows 2000 and above) and it will automatically start Elementary Reports with your last report loaded and ready. Nothing has to be installed on the PC! Teachers who have used Elementary Reports installed to a U3 drive are often amazed at how magically the system works. For detailed information on U3 smart memory sticks, see: http://www.U3.com
What do U3 memory sticks look like?
They usually look just like normal memory sticks, most of them have a little U3 logo on them. Look out for newer models as they are starting to get much "prettier" with bright colours.
Is it difficult to install Elementary Reports on a U3 memory stick?
No, just download and run the InstallU3 program from our download section. This program was created especially for U3 smart memory sticks, it installs the latest version of Elementary Reports.
You can also create a U3 install file (.U3P) from the normal installer if you like, we have a full tutorial on our forum here:
http://forums.computingdata.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4
After installing do I have to do anything else?
You need to setup a user account as normal, but then you need to register your U3 memory stick with us. To do this click the U3 icon on the Elementary Reports toolbar (the U3 icon is only visible when running in U3 mode). Once the U3 stick is registered you do not need Internet access to use Elementary Reports on that specific memory stick.
What advantages are there for installing to a U3 memory stick?
The main advantage is that Elementary Reports basically becomes plug 'n' play on any compatible computer that you plug the stick into. You don't need internet access and your reports and other data can also be saved and loaded from the stick. Some U3 sticks also provide an encryption system to protect your data.
Are there any disadvantages to using a U3 memory stick?
No disadvantages that we currently know of!
Can I use the U3 stick for anything else?
Yes, U3 smart memory sticks also work as normal flash memory sticks, newer ones are also ReadyBoost compatible to enhance using Vista.
What size of U3 memory stick should I get?
Elementary Reports currently uses about 5MB of memory when installed (without reports or the school logo) - So any size of U3 memory stick will do. The lowest memory size you can buy is 512MB - that is over 100x the space that Elementary Reports uses!
How reliable are U3 memory sticks?
From our experience, the reliability of memory sticks can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, there are also a lot of fake "basic" sticks out there. U3 sticks are electronically more complex than normal sticks and we haven't seen any "fakes" yet. This means that you know you are getting a quality product from a proper manufacturer. But memory sticks can fail, so we always advise you make regular copies and backups of your work on more than one type of media.
Are U3 sticks expensive?
No, in fact because of various U3 promotions (in the UK) they are often cheaper than other memory cards with the same or even less capacity.
Can't buy a U3 stick from anywhere! OR My Sandisk Cruzer (Micro) U3 stick has no U3 logo on the packaging/stick and no U3 launchpad pre-installed! Help...
Recently it has been brought to our attention that some SanDisk Cruzer sticks currently being sold as U3 sticks have no U3 markings on the packaging and/or the stick itself and don't have the U3 software pre-installed. We have just purchased one such drive from Misco for £5.99 for 2GB (here, they also have 4GB for £7.99 here - note that we tested the 2GB stick and haven't tested the 4GB stick). It's manufacturing ID on the stick is SDCZ6-2048RB but on the back of the box was SDCZ6-2048-E11 (barcode number 6-19659-0368-9) - the 2048 in the code refers to the memory size of the stick. To get U3 working on this stick, just download the U3 installer from here or here and run it with the stick inserted. It will then install the U3 launchpad onto the stick and you can carry on as normal.
Update: We have since bought also completely different SanDisk memory stick called a Cruzer Blade (not advertised, packaged or promoted as U3 compatible), they are available virtually everywhere and the same U3 install method described above appears to work fine. Encryption seems to be the same as other U3 sticks (AES-128). We bought ours from Play.com
Where can I buy a U3 memory stick from?
There are lots of places that sell U3 memory cards, below are various links to U3 memory sticks from Amazon.
United Kingdom:
USA:
U3 is a trademark of U3, LLC. The U3 smart logo is a trademark of U3, LLC
