The simplest way I have put it is using a library index card analogy, whereby the file itself is the book, and the index card is how the file system finds the book.
When you delete a file, you don't remove the file itself, rather the index card for where that file was.
This can then be used to explain how files can be partially overwritten or fully recoverable.
I have used a hotel analogy, with guests checking in, leaving their briefcase behind when they check out, etc. So in the hotel directory, "Smith's Room" goes into the pool of "Available Rooms" when Smith checks out, but it isn't an "empty room" because it still contains Smith's briefcase (data).
Since this hotel has a lazy housecleaning staff, the briefcase remains there until the room is reassigned, at which time the new guest discovers it and throws it down the hotel's trash chute to make room for his own stuff.
….
Not perfect, of course, but as analogies go, it's useful and understandable.
Good one. )
Though you missed the part about all guests of the hotel being as mad as "my" typographers. wink
jaclaz
Good one. )
Though you missed the part about all guests of the hotel being as mad as "my" typographers. wink
jaclaz
Yes, I should have mentioned that this hotel caters to demented travelers, and as a result most of the "Available Rooms" at any given time will have abandoned luggage in them, left behind by the previous goofy guest. wink
There is a very generic and simple analogy in the TV show Numb3rs, I can't remember the episode (I think it was season 3). It involved coins being flipped (1 or 0) when recovering a file.
The simplest way I have put it is using a library index card analogy, whereby the file itself is the book, and the index card is how the file system finds the book.
When you delete a file, you don't remove the file itself, rather the index card for where that file was.This can then be used to explain how files can be partially overwritten or fully recoverable.
That's what I said previously…
I used the book quite a bit. I do like the warehouse with the old guy at the front office. "That space has some old stuff in it bu it is marked for destruction if you need to use it."
Also, I explain that it is not deleted - just marked for deletion and hidden from view.
The library card file and the book itself.
Cards are the FAT/MFT, book is the file.
Remove the card, cannot find the book - yet it is still there.
It sort of works for memory versus HDD (which I think most non-tech people confuse in general). Book on shelf on disk, book in hand in memory.
The library card file and the book itself.
Cards are the FAT/MFT, book is the file.
Remove the card, cannot find the book - yet it is still there.
It sort of works for memory versus HDD (which I think most non-tech people confuse in general). Book on shelf on disk, book in hand in memory.
I like that last one. Book on shelf book in hand.
…and human processor. Now I could only quad core my brain…..
…and human processor. Now I could only quad core my brain…..
ROFL,
but you'd have a split personality disorder!