Hi Everyone,
I'm posting this to see what other's experience has been with this. Probably a lot of you have seen various articles and/or reviews about Ipad replacing your notebook/netbook etc..
I'm curious though if anyone has really gone full out with using USB apps as their main computing approach? Did you do it out of necessity, for a period of time while moving, traveling etc.? Could you see or do you think it's possible to just access a public computer a couple of times a week and minimize use as well? I'm excited by the possibility of Google Apps as a big boost to very mobile and minimal computing. I ask because I travel a fair amount and many (probably not all) of the apps I use have an equivalent or near equivalent app for USB use.
I did this with limited success in Central America where internet cafes are common but there are numerous issues to deal with - different, pirated OS's, malfunctioning usb ports, keyboards set in Spanish or god knows what and a lot more problems.
I also noticed last Spring while back in the States at a public library that none of the homeless, unemployed folks seemed to use any USB devices which lead me to believe they probably didn't have much to organize or didn't know what they could do with a USB?
Two major problems I ran into when trying to limit myself to USB computing were viruses and wanting to password protect the hardware in the even I lost the USB.
I'm wondering if there is a USB stick with say a 4 digit passcode for security? Is there a way to write protect a USB so viruses are "locked out" of the USB entirely?
Again, looking forward to your thoughts and experiences in trying, suceeding or even failign making a switch to just using a USB vs. a netbook, laptop etc......
Visit the Community page
Join our forums
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Subscribe with RSS
Follow us on BlueSky
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Mastodon
Follow us on Twitter
I hate Windows.
But I need it for AfterEffects. When I discovered portable programs I knew this would make my time on a windows system safer, more fun, and easier to keep clean.
I can keep more than one copy of my programs just by saving them on portable HD's and flash drives as well as internal HD's.
I have made a flash drive with programs that clean up and check for problems. I will be using this on a friend's laptop because she is having issues. Portable programs are a very good thing.
Windows is made by people who think everyone is too stupid to know how to use a computer. Portable programs gives me the flexibility I crave.
"No one man can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices." - Edward R. Murrow
I can't really offer you much from a "mobile" perspective although I do have a USB drive that I use from time to time. I also do have a USB hard drive that I used to use but to be quite frank, although the speed of the drive was preferable over a flash drive, I found it a little cumbersome to carry around (despite its convenient shirt-pocket size). For the few times that I do travel, I am either utilizing websites as my "portable apps" such as Google Calendar, Google Reader (RSS), Meebo (for IM), TiddlyWiki (note taking) and RememberTheMilk (todo list), or I take my laptop (and utilizing portable apps on it). I honestly believe that web-based applications are the way forward as far as mobile (portable) apps go.
From my perspective, I use PortableApps mostly as replacements for desktop apps since this gives me greater flexibility and control over my desktop environments. I recently had my laptop upgraded for work and had to migrate all of my apps from the old laptop ot the new. Because of PortableApps, this was near painless and I was up and running in mere minutes while my colleagues spent literally hours re-installing and reconfiguring many of their apps. Similar moral victories occur at home when I upgrade computers or have to do the inevitable and time-consuming reinstall of Windows. Not having to reinstall applications shaves hours of my time of getting back to fully functioning desktop environment.
Another advantage of using PortableApps as desktop apps is that I have several computers in my household and managing installed apps between them is a pain. Having a central repository (Network Attached Storage) allows me to either:
run the apps directly from that NAS
or mirror the apps across computers on my network so that I gain the advantage of speed using the local disk.
In either case, I always have the apps up-to-date and configured exactly as I want them, whichever computer I'm using.
To answer your question about encrypting drives, you should search for hardware encrypted USB drives. They're a little more expensive but give you that extra piece of mind, and mean that you don't have to mess around with encryption software and all the associated headaches that come with that.
USB drives will always be susceptible to viruses because most apps need to write something to the USB drive eventually, even if it's just to write a couple of bytes relating to settings, upon exit of the application. There really isn't any way around this that I know or can think of, it's just the way it is.
Like I said above, the ultimate way forward IMHO is to use web-based apps where possible. As bandwidth becomes cheaper, and faster Internet access becomes a reality for larger proportions of the planet, I think you'll see a true move to "the cloud". It just makes sense.
Thanks for throwing in your thoughts on this. It sounds like you rely pretty heavily on USB's but more as a back up when your other stuff isn't working etc..
I'm waiting to see when Google rolls out their latest (gears) supported, offline Docs setup. I think the offline email at gmail is great. A lot of people traveling or even living outside of the first world do not usually have super connections so "cloud" computing is a thing of the distant future. I agree totally with you on the cloud computing if that's your situation. No software to really maintain, upgrade, lose etc..
I'll wait to see what others have to say but I suspect that the lowest, really workable solution is to have a current netbook. Relatively low cost and they more than function well enough for 99% of what I do.
Also, thanks for your idea on "hardware encrypted" usb's. I hadn't googled that.
Actually, with the way mobile phone tech is going, computers are going to end up just being terminals you plug your phone into, and all your apps will be on it (so essentially all portable).
With the processor power and graphics capability of some of the smartphones due out in the next couple of years, I can honestly see desktop machines all but dying out in the next 10-20 years.
I have used portable software for years now, for many reasons. I am also a huge fan of PortableApps.com. I love what they have accomplished and don't know what I would do with out it.
That being said, when I have to do a task, I like using the same software, no matter whose computer I am on. Also, when someone needs/wants the software I am using, I like being able to just drag the whole folder from my drive to their computer. It's instantly installed. No carrying CDs around and swapping them out to install a program.
Also, I tutor people on computer use (onsite) and do computer cleanup/repair onsite. Having all my Tools on a FD makes my life much less cluttered.No more CDS.
I have more apps on my FD than most people that I know have on their systems. When I go to someones house and they need something done, but don't have the software to do it, you can be sure that I have a portable version of it.
I am not a fan of the whole Cloud computing idea. I don't want to rely on the net being always available to do tasks that don't even require the internet.
I see this whole concept as a future Subscription situation. At the point, large numbers of users are using web-based software and there is less demand for "installable" software, less will be created forcing even more users to use "their" software. At some point, when they have us by the short-hairs a subscription fee will be instituted, for its use. I prefer to pay for software once and have it to use when, where and how I chose. (and the version I chose)
Have u ever updated a piece of software only to find you like the older version better? Newer is NOT always better! With portable apps that's not a problem. Delete the folder and reinstall the older version( if u kept the setup, like I do). When they update web-based software you will use the version they tell u to use.
IMO, portable software makes way more sense. My life is on my USB. I don't want my life out on someone elses server! They'll have to pry my FD out of my cold dead hands.
Just my opinion.
blanco,
I go both ways on this in that I like the idea of software you can't lose, can theoretically always recover on the net but I share your issues on having to be on the net for use all the time. As I mentioned above, I sometimes work in less than 1st World countries so an "always on" internet option is not likely. It's why I liked the idea of Google docs (offline potential) whenever that emerges as really running & functional. It's my issue with the Kindle, Ipad etc.. I had an Ipod and would be lying if I said I didn't think it had good features but I hated being stuck using iTunes (or some of the hassles using the various 3rd Party alternatives)
Addtionally, I like the idea of only carrying a USB as it's a pretty low profile target for thieves, doesn't weigh anything etc. - a lot of advantages.
blanco - a question. Would you honestly say you use your USB more than your own primary computer/laptop? Could you really function w/o the primary computer and just piggybacking onto other computers?
I have 2 pcs and one laptop. They are all virtually docking-stations, for my USB, with one exception.
Years ago, I developed a neat system, for my businesses, using Access database. I have forms, menus, reports, etc. I have yet to find a good equivalent for that program. I have tested OpenOffice and Libre Office. Both have good equivalents for all the other Office Suite programs and both are portable, but both fall short in the database area.
I can open my preexisting database in these programs, but they aren't handled or recognize as they are in Access. I continue to scour the web in search of a portable replacement for Access.
I also agree with AlleyCat. Dragging a laptop, charger, etc around is a pain. A usb is like having a Laptop in your pocket.
I also agree about Firefox. I carry it with me and all of MY bookmarks, pluggins, addons, etc. I can surf the web on anyone’s computer using the Browser and setup I am familiar with.
I also don't much like webmail. I prefer to have my email client and downloaded emails in my pocket. I use a little known program called Foxmail. It is portable and does all I need regarding email.
Another good reason to have all software installed to USB is cleanup. I like to format/reinstall my OpSys about every 6 months (on my docking-stations). With all of my software on a USB, the only thing that has to be reinstalled is the OpSys and sadly Access.
You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time. Cloud software setup will be arranged according to what "they" think works best for the majority. I would surely hate if someone got on my FD, while I was sleeping, to make changes to the layout of my software, "for my benefit". They can never accommodate the preferences of everyone. An arrangement seen by some as perfect may seem ridiculous to someone else. On my USB (and my computer, for that matter) things are setup to my liking. If there is maintenance done and things have been moved/changed, I know where those changes are and there are no surprises in the a.m., especially if I am short on time. Computers are all about personalization.
I know there are those people that mostly only do email, or surf the web. These people I believe will "go gentle into that good night". But, I also believe hard-core computer users that know there is more to a computer that email and surfing the web will not be led down rose-covered path of cloud computing and giving up their control or individualization
Just my opinion.
I use my PA FD as the better alternative to dragging around a laptop.
I run some very small hosting and it's a huge advantage to have access to things like Putty and the web on-the-go, if someone calls me and tells me that a server is down.
A laptop does have advantages - I'd be able to get on the net from anywhere using a mobile modem, I'd be safe from viruses infecting the drive(s) and I'd be able to secure my login data better - but it's also very un-handy dragging around. And you still need power for the laptop sooner or later, plus you need to be in an area with mobile network coverage (which is most places around here, but still).
The USB flash drive solution is way more handy, it's just at the bottom of my pocket under my phone, it's cheap to replace if it's lost, and I'm mostly somewhere where I can borrow a friends or someone else's PC for a few minutes if I need to check something. This way, I don't even have to beg for passwords to the local wireless etc.
Additionally I'm usually the problem-crunching tech-guy for friends and family, and having diagnostics, scanning and recovery tools on a drive to plug straight in is a much better solution than trying to hook up a laptop to the problem machine. For any machine still able to boot up in Windows, this is the better choice - if it can't boot, I'd need my custom BartPE CD anyway.
And I've saved quite a number of 'suddenly missing' files from a harddrive - usually documents - by having my TotalCommander with its array of plugins on a flash, where installation on the machine with the problem easily could have overwritten the missing files.
Having my own quite customized Firefox with me is also a joy - whenever I borrow a friends PC for something net related, I got my own stuff (bookmarks, logins etc) where it usually is, no need to remember addresses and logins, and no worrying about any of my personal data being left on the device.
So it's not like I replaced the use of my home desktop machine with a USB FD with PortableApps, but for me it's the way better alternative to hauling a laptop around for all the minor and major tasks when outside the house, and even has some great benefits over doing that.
You can't trust any hardware, software, network, or website absolutely.
The day you put the last copy of all your data on Giggle is the day it
crashes, and you re-read the Terms of Service:
That's why having redundant copies of your data (and the apps to use the data)
on the net and harddrive and thumbdrive is a good thing.
PortableApps would be doing everyone a big service if they made it easy to
keep sync'ed, secure copies of your data multiple places.
Bob Bagwill
Hey Bob, have u checked out Toucan, for sync'ed files?
And if that isn't individualized enough for your needs or takes to long, you could create a Bat file that copies the files/folders/directories etc that you want quickly sync'ed and then compile the Bat file to an exe file which you can install on your PA FD and with one click from your PA's menu they are backed up.
I have done this with some of the more important files on my FD. While I do somewhat regularly back up my whole FD, that requires backing up whole directories and is very time consuming. On the other hand, with the Bat file approach these important files can easily be backed up taking almost no time.
Toucan is a great tool! In addition, the PA.c platform has a built-in feature to backup "data" directories of all apps. Not that I use the platform myself but the functionality is there.
Anyway, As far as Bob's comments go, while important they are a little off topic. I don't think anyone in this thread is suggesting that we place all our eggs in one basket be it a USB drive, a laptop or the Cloud. I think most sensible users know that backups are a fact of digital life. I personally have my entire PortableApps folder backed-up up in a couple of different places, so it would be easy for me to recover almost anything. In the worst case scenario, data lost would be minimal.
Talk about off topic!