KV9U wrote: > 1.This is a bit off topic, but I have often wondered why some windows > programs require Windows Registries and some work completely without > this. What causes a software author to cross the line that requires > those registry entries and all the complications that go with it? > > 2. USB pens can be a lifesaver. A year ago we needed a particular > software program to run for Field Day and although I had the program on > my computer, we needed to put it on some other ones and of course no > more floppy drives. USB pen to the rescue. Had never used one before. > > 3. Speaking of OS and USB pens, this may be one of those times to > consider using one of the Linux distributions that has been specifically > designed for this kind of media. The amateur radio software quantity and > quality seems to finally be getting better on Linux although it still > has a long way to catch up to MS OS software. > > 73, > > Rick, KV9U > > Dave Bernstein wrote: > >> Bob did not suggest a docking station, Sal, he suggested a second >> hard drive. I have used his recommended solution with my IBM T42P >> laptop, and it works extremely well; one can swap "identities" in the >> time required to terminate Windows and reboot; the physical drive >> swap takes a few seconds. >> >> With respect to your claim that "The USB PEN drive will work on >> almost every computer provided that the programs were correctly >> installed", I suggest that you (carefully) open the Windows Registry >> editor and examine the Software sections of HKCU and HKLM -- you'll >> find that DX Atlas, DXLab, Ham Radio Deluxe, LotW, and QRZ all >> maintain settings there. Other popular digital mode applications may >> as well -- I don't have Digipan, MixW, or MultiPSK currently >> installed on this PC, and my examination was cursory. There is no way >> to "properly install" any of DX Atlas, DXLab, Ham Radio Deluxe, LotW, >> or the QRZ CDROM callbook in a way that makes them pen-drive portable. >> >> There are web pages that list pen-drive portable applications, e.g. >> >> http://pendriveapps.com/ >> >> and >> >> http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/369/656 >> >> but I've found no mention of digital mode amateur radio applications >> so far. Establishing such a list would be helpful, but I suggest that >> an application only be added after >> >> 1. its author asserts that the application is pen-drive portable >> >> 2. someone actually tests the application in a pen-drive portable >> configuration >> >> It would also be useful to compare performance in a pen-drive >> configuration vs. a hard-drive configuration. >> >> 73, >> >> Dave, AA6YQ >>
I use Puppy Linux on a USB stick as a emergency data recovery OS from a failed system and it works great as a general purpose OS, I also use it when I travel to deal with on-line banking, I can use anyones PC and not leave anything on their system. It has Open office, mail setup, and anything else I need, so my stick makes anyone elses' machine have all my tools without making any changes to their PC. -- Cecil KD5NWA www.qrpradio.com www.hpsdr.com "Sacred Cows make the best Hamburger!" Don Seglio Batuna
