Implications of limited writes to flash drives

[Bob Warren]

Richard Gaskin wrote:

  >Like all flash memory devices, flash drives can sustain only
   a limited number of write and erase cycles before failure.
   Mid-range flash drives under normal conditions will support
   several hundred thousand cycles, although write operations
   will gradually slow as the device ages. This should be a
   consideration when using a flash drive to run application
   software or an operating system.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive#Strengths_and_weaknesses>

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Interestingly, the maker of Puppy Linux has attempted to minimize this 
problem, since the operating system itself as well as application 
software can be run totally from a flash drive. How successful he has 
actually been I am not yet in a position to evaluate.

Bob