I sometimes would like to run from a write-protected flash drive such as when I am trying to clean up an infected PC. The eject button on the PortableApps panel will not work because apparently it wants to write something to menu.ini? Is there a way to defeat this behavior?
New: Kanri (Oct 9, '24), Platform 29.5.3 (Jun 27, '24)
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Running the platform or most apps from a read-only location is currently unsupported. We may at some point introduce support but it is unlikely. It's a pretty niche thing as almost no retail USB drives support a read-only switch any longer - I haven't seen one in over 5 years - and setting read-only within software is pointless as it doesn't protect anything. We were working on it for CD/DVD support, but optical drives are being phased out as well.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Does this affects PAL? Specifically, should Live mode still be supported in the next release?
Previously known as kAlug.
I'm not removing support from anything that already has it (like Firefox Portable's launcher, for instance). I'm just not investing any time in adding support to other things or enhancing it.
If PAL supports live mode built-in, then we'll likely add live support to apps as they are converted to PAL from custom launchers.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I run my PortableApps from Sandisk SD+USB cards (mainly for smallest size on my key ring). Sometimes I use a plain SD and a simple USB card reader.
I keep one SD card with utilities on to help friends and family's stricken PCs
It would be nice to know I could flick the write protect switch and know the card wouldn't be corrupted by anything on the host PC.
John, I'm curious just what you meant by "optical drives being phased out."
If you think there will be reduced use of optical drives in general in the coming years, what do you see taking their place? I see them still useful for installation media, backups, distribution of images and videos, etc.
If you mean you don't see much future use of optical drives for running PA.c platform and apps, I would have to agree that's probably not worth much time and effort on your part.
Rick Carter
I mean phased out. Tablets don't have them and never will. The slim laptops that everyone wants (Ultrabooks and MacBook Air) don't have them. Distribution of media (audio and video) is moving very quickly from discs to the internet. Same for software. Optical media is big and clunky and easily damaged compared to modern equivalents (flash drives, etc). I haven't 'burned' anything to a disc other than a couple mailings of a portfolio for my girlfriend in over 5 years.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!