Hi,
I suppose this may have been asked before....
when using portable apps and more specifically, stuff from PortableApps.com, do you need to have a dedicated USB Flash Drive?
In other words, can I download and install and use portable apps on my existing and in-use stick (USB Flash Drive)? OR...
Do I have to have a dedicated USB Stick which is only for the Portable apps use?
I was looking at some Puppy's the other day and in order to install to my Flash Drive from the live CD, I would lose all my data on my flash drive (so I didn't save it to my flash drive)
Also, while here, are there any Flash drives that are better for this type of thing (Portable Apps) or any which are not suitable? I noticed a little while back that there are so many different Flash Drives these days with so many different functions etc.
And just to get it right, when using the portable apps, do I just plug the stick in to the PC and away I go? Can I plug it in while the PC is on and running or do I need to boot the PC with the flash drive inserted?
Appreciate your work and like what I see.
All the best,
Pea Bod
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Unlike live distros, you can use PortableApps.com along with anything else you'd like on a given flash drive (document, music and video storage, etc) without needing to reformat it or lose all your data.
As for a good flash drive to use, if you're looking to buy one, we'll be offering one for sale this week.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
you can use your existing drive, it will not be wiped or formated or anything like that, the programs will simply be unpacked to it, to an empty place on your existing stick.
Portableapps is not any kind of operating system like Puppy Linux etc. It is just collection of partabilized programs.
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
No, you don't need a dedicated drive for anything from PortableApps.com. The platform and all apps presented here run fine from a drive already in use and holding other files.
As far as drives that are good, generally the smaller they are (physical size, not data capacity), the worse they are, as efficiency and heat mitigation are overlooked for space needs.
Regarding data capacity, generally the smaller the better, as larger drives use the same chipsets as the smaller ones, but are attempting to control more data, thus making them a little less efficient.
Regarding actual drives that are good, I can recommend a Corsair Voyager (I have an 8Gb one) and it runs pretty well, although for best performance, portable hard drives are the go. I have a 2Tb cheapo drive and it runs as fast as the internal drives of the PCs I frequent.
For your last point, just plug in and go, no need to boot with the drive in. Just remember to properly disconnect your drive when leaving/before shutting down if using the PortableApps.com Platform, as you will lose settings and some other data otherwise.
thanks for the speedy replies!
Sounds good.
Just to ask.. I have a Transcend rubber coated flash drive. You mentioned heat... any comments?
Thanks again for your replies, folks,
much appreciated,
Pea Bod
Another bod in the pod
Corsair Voyagers are also encased in rubber, so I can't see it being too much of an issue.
I'd never really thought into the rubber outside being a less efficient heat sink than a metal casing. The hope is I guess that the internal workings of the drives are designed with better heat efficiency in mind considering the case can't do it for you.