``1 - one string (pointer) that would lead you to a certain box. ``ball 1`` is in the hole marked specifically for ``ball 1``, ``ball 2`` is in the hole marked specifically for ``ball 2``. The string lets you find the correct box, then you have to read the positions for each ball to pull them in the correct order. this is the simplest, but not very flexible......right?``

The balls are not connected by string or pointer....they have to touch each other physically....and can not be mixed up in the basket....a string or pointer is place to the first segment only...the recall is through the physical touching.

This is contigious storage...and is utilized in most arrays for simplicity....arrays are flash chip like devices...it does not allow for too complicated a device.

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As for this...............

``so - method 3 is the most advantageous.....and EDIG has a MicroOS that allows for this efficient front end allocation of data management correct? and therefore would facilitate the flash buffer in a very elegant fashion that would be integrated to the standard HDD scheme.....allowing for better performance and battery management (minimal HDD spinning or access, faster retrieval of reptative codes, etcc)``

is this correct?

Nope....this is a MSFT method as I explained

Norberts patent is a hybrid of it...as a 4th method....and it utilizes LBA addressing...

doni