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Tech Gear - Portable applications and documents

Updated June 5, 2006

Most of you already use USB memory devices to carry around your documents, but how would you also like to make it self-contained with the applications too? That way, you would not need to depend on the computer to have your applications installed just so that you can see and work with your documents. From a security issue, you also don't want any temporary files to be left on the visited machine for others to recover and view, a problem whenever you use Microsoft Word, Excel or any Office application. In fact there are some nice applications that allow you to carry your favorite websites and login information so visiting them would be a simple click of the mouse button.

What I am describing is an up-and-coming standard for USB memory devices known as U3. When applications are written to this standard, they are launched from the USB memory device via the U3 Launchpad. All temporary files are stored on the USB memory and not on the host computer you are using so security is never an issue.

In particular, the apps that I have loaded onto my U3 are:

	Anti-virus from McAfee (included with the Verbatim U3)
	OpenOffice, a free replacement for Microsoft Office and compatible with Microsoft's DOC and XLS file formats
	Firefox, a free replacement web browser
	Thunderbird, a free replacement email client
	Skype, free voice-over-IP to another computer or any phone number in the US or Canada.
	IrfanView, a free image editing tool
	Pass2Go, a free tool for managing my Internet browsing logins from Verbatim's U3 website
	MiGo desktop synchronization software evaluation.

This new technology sparked my interest so when I saw a deal for the Verbatim 1GB model for $23 after a $20 rebate, I jumped on it. At that price this U3 device was cheaper than a normal 1GB USB memory product. Even better was the included anti-virus product from McAfee which normally costs around $30 with a year of updates. Now with McAfee on this USB, I can go to any Windows 2000 or XP machine and scan it for infections.

OK, so where can you get one for yourself? Here are a few links. At the time they were added, some had rebates as noted below.

Verbatim 1GB, $17.99 net (net 30.99 less $13 rebate that ends 06-11-2006)
Kingston 1GB, $19.95 net ($33.95 less $14 rebate that ends 06-10-2006)
Kingston 2GB, $39.95 net ($53.95 less $14 rebate that ends 06-10-2006)
SanDisk 1GB, $46.99
SanDisk 2GB, $57.95 net ($69.95 less $12 rebate that ends 06-11-2006)

What I especially like about the Verbatim model is the blue LED at the end to indicate activity, and extinguishes when it is safe to unplug from the PC. The SanDisk model is also nice because its USB port is retractable so there is no cover to lose.