While people actually used floppy disks (a.k.a diskettes) to boot and run the operating systems of computers prior to hard disks becoming commonplace, since then, these disks were used for backups or to exchange information between multiple computers.
They all use thin flexible disks that spin at slower speeds than hard disks, but spin fast enough that the disk stays fairly rigid from centrifugal force. They use magnetized read/write heads, just as hard disks do. Some versions, such as 5 1/4″ and 8″ disks simply kept the flexible magnetic disk in a paper sleeve smooth enough to allow the disk to spin inside, and had openings cut into the sleeves to allow the read/write heads access. 3 1/2″ disks and zip-disks have rigid plastic casings with a sliding piece of metal covering the opening for the read/write heads when not in use. Regardless, they were all subject to frequent damage due to dust and bending.
These media forms were all supplanted first by CDs, then by DVDs, and now by USB flash-drives, SD cards, and the like for transferring information between computers.
The main reason to use these old magnetic disks anymore is if you are using really old equipment that can’t use anything more modern. Old music synthesizers, medical instruments such as ultrasound machines, and CNC fabrication equipment come to mind.
Disk Disc Recommendations:
Verbatim 3.5″ 1.44MB Floppy disks
Iomega Zip Disk 100MB
Iomega Zip Disk 250MB
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