There are two types of disks in your computer, the type you can remove by pushing a button (floppy disk), and the one that requires a screwdriver and a lot of time to remove (hard disk or drive). We are referring to the former, the type that is removed with the push of a button.

Now, there is more than one type that can be removed in this way:

• There are the CD-ROMS, which look exactly like music CDs but don't work on your walkman.

• ZIP disks which are the same size and shape as a floppy, but are thicker and have 'iomega' all over them.

• 5.25 inch disks which are big thin square things, obsolete, and fun to use as a frisbee.

• Then there is our type, which is the 3.5 inch floppy disk. They are 3.5 inches across (hence their name), and come in an assortment of colours.

Ways to Treat your 3.5 inch Floppy Disk

• Insert it gently into the drive.
• Insert it the correct way.

Ways to Ruin your 3.5 inch Floppy Disk

• Put it into the sun too long.
• Put a coffee mug on it.
• Drop it repeatedly.
• 'Reformat' it with a pair of scissors.
• Put it in the wrong way.
• Put it in the wrong sort of drive.
• Attempt to fax it.
• Put your fingers on the inside parts.
• Throw it.

Respect your disk, and it will reward you with constant good service or at least until you really, really need a file off it.