Storage with persistent user data

A data storage device comprising:

• (a) a data storage area, partitioned between a user storage area and a device storage area;
• and
• (b) a controller for managing said data storage area by steps including:
• (i) storing compulsory source data in said device storage area, and
• (ii) persistently storing compulsory derivative data in said user storage area in accordance with said compulsory source data by checking whether content in the user storage area matches content of the compulsory source data upon initialization of the data storage device, and if the content in the user storage area does not match the content of the compulsory source data, then storing the compulsory derivative data in said user storage area, wherein said compulsory derivative data defines an Internet link;
• (c) an interface for reversibly coupling the data storage device to a host in order to exchange data with said host, said data exchange including copying at least a portion of said compulsory derivative data to said host;
• wherein the initialization occurs automatically upon coupling of the data storage device to the host.

A method of managing a data storage device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) partitioning a data storage area of the storage device between a user storage area and a device storage area;
• (b) storing compulsory source data in said device storage area;
• and
• (c) persistently storing compulsory derivative data in said user storage area in accordance with said compulsory source data by checking whether content in the user storage area matches content of the compulsory source data upon initialization of the data storage device, and if the content in the user storage area does not match the content of the compulsory source data, then storing the compulsory derivative data in said user storage area, the initialization occurring automatically upon connection of the data storage device to a host, wherein said compulsory derivative data defines a logo, the logo being automatically displayed upon connection of the data storage device to the host.

A method of managing a data storage device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) partitioning a data storage area of the storage device between a user storage area and a device storage area;
• (b) storing compulsory source data in said device storage area;
• and
• (c) persistently storing compulsory derivative data in said user storage area in accordance with said compulsory source data by checking whether content in the user storage area matches content of the compulsory source data upon initialization of the data storage device, and if the content in the user storage area does not match the content of the compulsory source data, then storing the compulsory derivative data in said user storage area, the initialization occurring automatically upon connection of the data storage device to a host, wherein said compulsory source data includes raw data, and wherein said storing the compulsory derivative data includes executing a file-writing utility to transform said raw data into an autorun file.