PortableApps Rocks

It’s time for more geekyness!!  If you’re looking for insightful travel related  post, you might want to use the search box at the top.  While this isn’t directly related to travel, it actually is, but it’s pretty geeky.

While I love the little laptop we have, it’s still something that’s bigger than I want half the time I move around (either on a long trip or a short one).  I read about PortableApps a while ago and have been meaning to test it out.  As the laptop will be leaving in a while, now was as good a time as any to take the plunge.

First, I purchased a Sony Micro Vault Tiny, pictured at left.  It’s a super tiny USB drive a little bigger in length than a quarter.  I think it’s the smallest USB jumpdrive that I’ve seen.  I bought the 4GB model to have plenty of room.  It comes with some compression technology that you can run, but I’ve chosen not to as it might slow things a bit.  I’m not super worried about space on the drive right now (I still have 2.5GB free).  It also comes with a handy rubberized holder with two type of clips (belt and keychain).  I can see how easy it’d be to lose this little device and the holder will keep the elements off of it.

I then went to PortableApps application page and started downloading all the items I might want.  I love that I can do it all piece by piece if you like.  After downloading the base system, loading individual modules is a snap.  Transferring profiles from the laptop to the jumpdrive is easy as well and instructions are given on each applications page.  Thunderbird and Firefox were super easy, just click and drag operations to get up and running.  Even better, the add-ons for Thunderbird, including Lightning(and Google Calendars by proxy), moved with it.  At this point I’m really digging not going with Microsoft products (sorry, Ryan).

Now, I have all my documents and programs on a super small device easily slipped into my wallet.  Backing it up to my desktop machine is a three click event and easy.  And there is an encryption program called Toucan to help secure things a bit.  I can take this drive with me anywhere and plug into any computer with a USB drive.  While not a full laptop, it is a very good option for those needing some mobility.