DazzlinDonna » Portable Apps - Can This Be My Future?

Portable Apps - Can This Be My Future?

Yesterday, when discussing how I plan to survive my next computer crash, I mentioned that I was going to start storing music and photos on thumbdrives (USB Flash drives). Since that time, I’ve come to the conclusion that I *may* be able to run most of what I do from a USB flash drive. I’ve ordered a 2 GB flash drive and when it comes in, I intend to install a bunch of portable apps onto it. We’ll see how well I can function using this for almost everything I do on a daily basis on my computer. If you’re interested in trying this as well, here’s how to get started.

First head on over to PortableApps.com. You’ll be able to get just about any type of software, ALL FOR FREE, and all available as a small portable application that you can take along with you wherever you go. There are lots of choices. You can either just grab their suite, which comes with the most popular apps ready to go, or you can pick and choose.

I’m starting with their Base edition, which gives me just the essentials with the PortableApps menu, backup system, and utilities. Then I downloaded the following apps that I either use on a regular basis (the full editions), or will use just because they offer a portable edition.

7-Zip (open .zip files)
FileZilla (FTP)
Firefox (browser)
Thunderbird (email client)
Gimp (image editor)
KeePass (password manager)
Miranda (Instant Messenging for MSN and Yahoo)
OpenOffice (Open source alternative to MS Office)

There are TONS more apps to choose from, and you can get all the information you need about it all on the PortableApps site. If you need even more portable apps than that site offers, you can see a larger list here, and a list of portable games here.

I’m looking forward to trying this out. I’d love to be less dependent upon my computer’s whims. I’d also love to be able to take all my important apps, settings, and data with me when I travel. We’ll see if this will work for me or not.

Have you tried this? If so, please let me know what you think. If not, and you decide to try it along with me, come back and let me know how it goes.

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Posted on July 24th, 2007 by DazzlinDonna
Filed under: Tech Advice

2 Responses to “Portable Apps - Can This Be My Future?”

Nathania Johnson, on July 24th, 2007 at 6:31 pm Said:

My computer crashed today! I mean, I should be able to still go in and save all of my files. But the screen is jagged or something. I don’t know. I’m using my husband’s macbook with its small 13 inch screen.

I’m running to Target tonight to grab some cute pink USB flash drives I’ve been eyeing. But I’ll be interested to see what you come up with because this is a lesson in being prepared for me!