Sometimes we all have to use windows-based machines, which don’t have the programs we want installed on them.
Some windows-based machines we don’t have the permissions to install any software on.
But, there is a solution.
http://portableapps.com/
These apps commonly run off any USB drive that is greater than 256mb (for the lite suite), or 512mb (for the full suite, which contains openoffice, etc)
Very neat 
Setup is simple - download installer, run off the root of the USB drive (or wherever you want it to install to)
Of course, I got a new shiny USB stick, which prompted the test of portable apps. Pictures of it are at: http://sandisk.com/Products/Item(1904)-SDCZ7-2048-Cruzer_Titanium_2GB.aspx - It hasnt scratched at all, either. Yay!
On a sidenote - rsync is *way* faster than cp -a* for copying files - useful for when doing backups.
YAY / your finaly blogging, anyhow YES !! I /love/ portable apps , there are a few others arround the net too not just from portableapps.com AND you dont have to install them all, like i just have gaim and ff on my usb stick
Do you happen to know if there is a similar solution to PortableApps.com for Ubuntu ?? That’d be nice !
you should have a look at linutop and framakey!
http://www.linutop.com/ (this very small PC with low-power consomption (about 6W!) and no hard drive comes with an usb key 2 Go with Xubuntu !
http://www.framakey.org/Main/Index
Framakey is for Windows too or am I wrong ?
>>La Framakey est une compilation de Logiciels Libres pour Windows, prêts à l’emploi sur clef USB qui facilite la vie des utilisateurs nomades.
You’re right tatare, for the moment Framakey comes only for Windows and is only stable in French. Other languages are coming soon but are “beta”, see the English page for instance: http://www.framakey.org/En/Index
As for your question, I have no answer neither, even though I already looked at that in the past. For Linux, it seems that you have only “Live USB” (similar concept to a Live CD), but not really portable application… Maybe this has changed or will change in the future…
yes Framakey is for Windows
The Linutop USB key is a complete OS (Xubuntu), like the Mandriva USB key
http://www.mandriva.com/en/linux/2007/node_3481
Thanks for posting the tip - I got new 2GB USB stick this weekend on dicsount and was thinking about how to put it up to good use. Your post gave me some good links to start my research.
Thanks also for tolerating/ignoring some less than gentlemen guys in Linux. You already know not all of us are like them
Remember, there is no substantial difference between male and female Ubuntu contributor if the both write competemt code (or docs, or whatever) and shower daily.
YES IT SEEMS YOU ARE WELL INFORMED OF THE NEW AND FREE TECHNOLOGY