Sometimes what at first appears simple is actually more complex. After numerous training workshops and much positive feedback about the Read Forward resource, there is one question that keeps coming up: how do I use the USB flash drive?

Besides the User Guide, all the rest of the materials included in the Read Forward resource are delivered in PDF format and stored on a unique, credit-card shaped USB flash drive. This particular USB model has puzzled quite a few folks – one user recently commented it is like having a candy but not being able to open the wrapper. This post includes a few images and some instructions to clarify how to use the USB.

The entire USB is not intended to be inserted into the computer. There is a little part of it that fits into a regular USB port, just like all other flash drives.

To open, push the middle portion out by pressing on the tab that contains the lanyard hole from the side that has the grooves. This should pop up the portion you need to insert into the computer. You may have to apply a little more pressure the first time you do this.

Insert this portion into your computer so that the contacts (gold lines) connect with the contacts inside the port on the computer. If, when you first plug it in, the computer does not recognize it, take it out and flip it the other way – you have likely just put it in upside down, as this is easy to do.

Note: if you push too hard when opening the flash drive, it is possible to break it away from the plastic case – the drive itself is not broken, it is just harder to store than if it remains attached to the case.

We encourage you to copy all the files from the USB flash drive onto your computer. This way, you can store the original USB and use it as a back-up if something happens to one of your files.