In message: <Pine.LNX.4.44.0203242047570.3894-100000@bork.hampshire.edu>
            Mikel Waxler <waxor@waxor.com> writes:
: The only disadvantage is that cf disks have a limited ammount of writes. 
: I'm guessing I will replace the z50 or it will die long before I get close 
: to that number of writes though, and if I do kill the disk I will just but 
: another cf disk that is 6 times as big for about 1/10 the cost.

I've done 10M writes through the file system (sync, so there's 20M
writes) to a CF that I've then put into service as my scratch CF for
my bouncer box w/o any problems at all.

I'd get two 512MB parts.  Program them both.  Use one and DD it to the
other 512MB part (or dump/restore if the two 512MB parts don't have
the same geometry) every couple of weeks.  When the first part dies,
then you'll have a fairly fresh backup.  Also, most CF parts tend to
fail READ ONLY rather than totally (but sometimes they do).  And when
the 512MB part dies for you, you'll likely be able to get a 2G or 4G
part for the same price or cheaper.

I'm currently doing this with 2 256MB cards that I bought (1 for $75
in Japan at a shop in akihabara, and one for $99 I bought at compusa
here in the states).

Warner