On the subject of application efficiency, I was wondering whether it is easier for PC's to run PortableApps or their non portable counterparts?
If yes, then would it be a good idea to setup a system of just portableapps?
I think there would be some integration problems, but would those be the only problems?
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One of the limitations of portable apps (yes, we all have those) is that without registry entries telling Windows where to find executables, you can't just click on a data file (AKA Document) and open/view the file. The extent this is an issue is up to you.
installed apps:
- you will have a hard time to find your profile, sometimes it`s in app dir, sometimes it`s in documents and settings folder *somewhere*
- them may leave settings on your comp such as registery, this may mess up your comp if it`s bloadware
+ them are more easy to install for newbies, you just have to hit the "ok" button as fast as you can a few times and app is installed
+ you don`t need to move any files, all is done by the setup
+ installed apps are in some cases faster then portable apps
+ there is better support for installed apps, most programms are not portable by default
+/- the file extensions are automatic set by the setup
+ if the updater is working, then the update will work
- you can`t just copy the application folder to your usb drive and travel with
- you can not be really sure without checking it where are files from one app are stored
- if you save the application folder and reinstall your windows then many installed apps won`t run anymore
portable apps:
+ all settings are saved inside the programm folder -> the apps are more easy to backup
+ a portable app doesn`t leave any crap on your comp, if you just want to test a app and there is portable one test this first
- there are just a few fan communtys for portable software
- portable apps are in a few cases slower then installed ones
- you have to extract them yourself and to move them yourself
- you have to tell the system yourself .txt -> open office
- if you use restricted user rights (which is suggested to fight against malware) them you have to set the write permission on all changed files, for portableapps.com it`s easy it`s just the data folder for portablefreeware.com it`s sometimes a little bit more
+ you can backup them more easy
- you can`t update them that easy sometimes
+ you can copy the application folder to your usb device and travel with
+ you know where all files from the application are located
+ if you save the application folder and reinstall your windows the app will work anyway
Imho the best software avoid using of registery. Ini files are better. The best software is availible as source, as $.zip package and as installer aswell too.
We should make a good overview in wikipedia.org! What do you think?
For myself I decided to use portable apps as much as I can. On my normal comp aswell too. I don`t see any point to use an installed version if there is a portable one.
Most of my friends are using serveral partitions. C: is only for windows and D: and others are for programms. It`s anoying if you reinstall your comp and the programms won`t work anymore. So I always suggest using portable apps because the software will run always and you don`t need to setup them to your needs several times.
Thanks for the detailed overview.
By what you've written, the pros seem to overcome most of the cons. Major ones like the fact that you have to tell windows which program to use can be easily corrected, and the updating problem will be solved as long as John continues to release updates on his site :). Backing up your apps & settings and avoiding the use of the registry look like the greatest benefits of portableapps on PCs. I guess it is plausible to have a "PortableApp" system.
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There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't. - Anonymous
BTW, not using the registry makes your PC works faster...
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,
and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report