RAMDRIVE stuff:
As you know, RAM drives are very fast, silent, don't hold much data, and lose their contents when the power gets turned off.
I take advantage of these properties like this:
The loss of data makes this an ideal place to store temporary files. No need to remove the clutter as it gets done automatically. Files and file fragments containing sensitive information are also something I don't need to worry about. In summary, I use the data loss to automate housekeeping.
The speed comes in handy when I'm using software which writes temporary files in the course of performing its main task. Since I have only ONE physical disk, the head must zig-zag from one partition to another as I'm accessing different LOGICAL drives. RAM drives saves this 'thrashing' and can speed up some operations. Compressing a .ZIP file with the -bX switch is one example of this.
I like to develop my software and I usually want to protect the 'last working effort' on my hard disk. Once I'm satisfied the thing's OK, I copy to a more permanent drive.
The silence is an advantage I only recently came to enjoy. After a few minutes of 'think' time, the disk in my computer stops, and with the fan stopped too, the system is silent. I can do my work, access my RAM disk and not be distracted by noise.
As far as not holding much data, I cannot think of any advantage to this, unless it keeps me from becoming too long winded in my letters, but somehow, I doubt that an 8meg letter would seem too small, or too welcome.
Hope this answers your question. PW. |
