Although the Covid pandemic is officially over, from that time, people are paying more attention to the cleanliness of things they come in contact with. Because this website is dedicated to USB technology, it’s probably worth a mention about the Microban Technology used with USB flash drives from Verbatim.

Microban technology is a type of antimicrobial technology that is incorporated into products during the manufacturing process to provide continuous antimicrobial protection against a range of microbes such as bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Microban works by disrupting the vital life processes and biological functions of microbes that come into contact with the treated surface. This disruption helps to prevent the growth and proliferation of these microbes.

Verbatim is now incorporating some of their USB flash drive products with this Microban technology. Consider the following:

If someone handles a flash drive with unwashed or unclean hands, they can transfer bacteria or other microbes onto the surface of the drive. Common bacteria from hands could include Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Flash drives are often carried in pockets, bags, or purses where they can pick up dirt, dust, and other contaminants that may contain microbes. Pockets and bags are not always the cleanest environments, especially if food, tissues, or other items are stored alongside the flash drive.

The Verbatim flash drives are available from Amazon in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities. The “Pinstrip” drive uses the Microban technology.

Microban technology was developed by a team led by Dr. John H. McConnell in the mid-1960s. Dr. McConnell, along with his colleagues at Microban Products Company (formerly known as Microban International), pioneered the use of antimicrobial additives for various applications, including consumer products, textiles, and industrial materials.

It is interesting to receive donated USB flash drives and where they’ve come from. It is clear this website finds people from all over the world. Most donations come from people inside the United States and we can only assume that is related to the inexpensive shipping cost to send us recycled flash drives.

For this round of postings to say thank you, we used chatGPT to insert the state bird for the associated location of those who donated. A lot of interesting bird names, most of which we are not familiar with. If you have donated and interested to hear your state’s bird name, look no further!

• Ursell – Katy, TX (Northern Mockingbird)
• Nathan Sobczak – Elma, NY (Eastern Bluebird)
• M Clark – Orinda, CA (California Quail) *Mentionable: Once and For All (www.onceandforall.biz)
• Unknown – Munster, IN (Northern Cardinal)
• Nathan Roaih – Reno, NV (Mountain Bluebird)
• Naomi Ford – Mansfield, CT (American Robin)
• Chris Rawlings – Cambridge, UK
• Chris McGunnigle – Hackettstown, NJ (Eastern Goldfinch)
• Unknown – Pittsford, NY (Eastern Bluebird)
• Tim Huans – Oakland, CA (California Quail)
• Gretchen Kunkel – Akron, OH (Northern Cardinal) *Mentionable: GHK Consulting (ghkconsulting.net)
• Ashley Crowe – Montgomery, AL (Yellowhammer)
• Katherine Rodeghier – Western Springs, IL (Northern Cardinal) *Mentionable: Freelance Photographer and Writer
• Sherry Woolridge – Pageton, WV (Northern Cardinal)
• Sarice Jaehn – Cardiff, CA (California Quail)
• Judith Labounty – Fort Smith, AR (Northern Mockingbird)
• Gogley – Oviedo, FL (Northern Mockingbird)
• F Henry – Boston, MA (Black-capped Chickadee)
• Janet Williams – Fenton, MO (Eastern Bluebird)
• Ursell – Katy, TX (Northern Mockingbird)
• The Binyamins – Bronx, NY (Eastern Bluebird)
• Chris Ball – Matthews, NC (Northern Cardinal)
• Makamae Edayan – Kapaau, HI (Hawaiian Nene)
• Michelle Long – Bridgeville, PA (Eastern Bluebird)
• Unknown – Salira, CA (California Quail)

The other reason we listed the state bird after each donar’s location, is that we find it challanging to simply re-write the same “thank you” each month for all the donations… but since we are on the topic, Thank you.