Laptops have granted the computer user a hitherto unknown sense of freedom and mobility. The ability to pick up not only files, but also working environment is especially liberating. But the luxury of using a single computer everywhere is not universally enjoyed. Some are required to use a company computer at work or school, and a personal computer at home. If this computer is shared with others, changing the settings to suit one individual’s preferences is likely out of the question. Worse still, differences in software titles and versions can create a compatibility nightmare. Valuable time is wasted by even the most experienced computer users when desired tools and settings are buried deep in unfamiliar menus.
While there is no perfect solution, there is a way to make the transition a little smoother. As the prices of USB flash drives have fallen and the storage capacities risen, a number of portable work environment software suites have emerged. These tools allow users to install certain software programs directly onto their flash drive. By running software from the portable drives, users are able to use the same copy of their favorite application on any Windows XP or Vista PC. Their settings are preserved along with their files. At present, three such suites are available: U3, PortableApps, and Ceedo.
Ceedo
Ceedo Personal (http://www.ceedo.com/, $29.95) – A number of freeware programs customized to work with Ceedo are available at http://ceedoready.com/, or for another $19.95, the Argo Application Installer can be purchased, allowing users to install software they have purchased separately.
U3
U3 (http://www.u3.com/, preinstalled on most Sandisk drives) – If you are looking to purchase a drive and are interested in a portable work enironment, buying a drive with the software already present might be your best option. A variety of free and not-so-free applications are available as add-ons and can be downloaded from the U3 menu.
PortableApps
PortableApps.com (http://www.portableapps.com/, free) – PortableApps seems to focus on free. All available add-on applications are free, and many are open-source. That said, a wide variety of high quality programs are available. Since the PortableApps platform is open, software developers or even tech-savvy individuals could potentially find a way to get unsupported applications working with PortableApps.
If you find yourself using quite a few different computers, travel in comfort knowing the software you need will be the same wherever you go. Taking the time to try one of these tools (or all three of them) could save you a considerable amount of time when you're facing a deadline and the computer you're using doesn't have your favorite applications. Besides, a flash drive is much easier to carry than even the smallest laptop.
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