mkfs.ext3 or mkfs.msdos

[Bart Silverstrim]

Karl Larsen wrote:

>     So I am back to saying lets forget ext2/3 for these devices and 
> either keep what they come with, or, if now ext3, make them a FAT file 
> system that most things can load.

Exactly. The solution is whatever fits your needs, but for the most 
part, compatibility is important with flash drives unless you have 
narrow specific uses. I have a USB drive because when I'm in the field, 
there are plenty of times I need to get access to files to share or 
repair systems and I need to plug it in and have it work without fussing 
with special drivers whether the target is Linux, MacOS, or someone's 
pimped-out Windows install filled with a warm gooey medley of whatever 
crap they found on the Internet to click on and install.

FAT is old, tested, and reliable for such a purpose. If you want to add 
security or something else to potentially have to fuss with to get it 
working, that's your business and you know your needs best (you being 
generic for the reader, not Karl in particular).