I think portable apps are the best thing ever created, especially for a person like me. Due to restrictions and company policies, I am not allowed to install any kind of software onto my work PC. Hell, I can’t even update the dam thing. Luckily I got myself a Sandisk 4GB Cruzer Micro with U3 software. This baby allows for software to be installed directly inside the memory stick without the need for it to be installed directly onto any PC. This is great such as if you need a word processing program but the PC you are using only have WordPad, you can install the portable version of OpenOffice. A nice problem that allows you to edit Microsoft Word and Excel files. There’s also my case where, at work, I’m have no choice but to use the old IE6 when Internet browsing. I’m a big fan of FireFox and all of its features plus the add-ons but can’t install it on my work PC. Luckily there is a portable version of it that works just as good as its stationary brother. Now I get to use most of my fav features such as tabbed windows, spellcheck, weather monitor, skinning the browser and also the security that comes with FireFox. The only downside is that programs, such as messenger programs, that need Internet access or Internet browsers can still be restricted if the company network has them restricted, no big deal though.
Like Web apps, portable apps are becoming a necessity in my lifestyle and I’m sure for many others. Now my question to you is this:
What software would you like to see as a Portable Apps? Here are some programs I would like to see as Portable Apps simply because I like using the stationary version of it and would be great to have it everywhere I go.
Microsoft LiveWriter – It would be nice to be able to post an article you just decided to write of a sudden inspiration without having to wait to get home or finding a wireless signal on your laptop.
Nero – Some PC’s that have CD drives capable of burning don’t usually have decent software installed in them. While not the best, Nero is a pretty good program and would be even better if it could be portable.
AVG – Imagine having your fav Anti-virus program with you everywhere you go? Always feeling secure you are protected regardless what PC you are currently using.
CCleaner – It would be nice to be able to clean up someone’s computer on the fly if you’re not able to download and install a program such as CCleaner.
Spybot Search & Destroy – Another program, like CCleaner, that would be nice to have portable to use on the fly.
I’m sure there are more programs but can’t think of them at the moment. Will probably add them to the comments as I remember. Keep in mind though that I am not a software developer and I know very little about software so I am not sure if any of these programs can be made portable due to the possible necessity of having to be installed into the core of the OS in order to function properly and that using them on different PC would require a constant change of settings or files to be able to use them in a portable fashion. But one can hope it’s possible. LiveWriter would be my main choice at this moment. It’s my choice for posting my articles to JU.