Using portable apps for privacy on the non-portable computer

bibzgi · 22. Oct 2010, 02:23 AM

Dear ChitChat,

Portable apps are not just for portable computer gizmos that fit in a pocket.

Here is an example.

I just have a laptop (poor me ha ha) and my email program was Mozilla Thunderbird.

Thunderbird is a superb software that collects from all the email sources (the subscription to the cable company, gmail, hotmail, etc.mail)

It takes work and patience to put the Thunderbird personal email folder onto an encrypted partition of the computer.

It takes more work and patience to get it back.

Yesterday, I downloaded Thunderbird as a portable edition to my TrueCrypt virtual drive.

I'm thrilled with it.

No more headaches. The portable edition runs contained.*

Portable apps are also called standalone apps.

In general, I avoid them for my laptop. Most programs run better without them.

However, some programs run just as good and I am in the process of downloading and using them because they don't leave my history in my Vista OS.

For example, I am using portable Firefox when I write here.

To go threw cleanup programs is a chore. If I can just have important programs like email and internet explorer as standalone programs on my encrypted drive (via TrueCrypt) than I'll be happier.

ChitChat readers please comment! I need all the help I can get.

*Postscript: run the portable exe within the folder and do not run the exe as a link outside the folder

eyeb · 22. Oct 2010, 05:49 AM

i always use portable apps over installed verisons if possible.
Or use jaunte and make them portable.

2 main reasons i do this:
1) it keeps system clean so it doesn't get slowed down
2) it makes copying/restoring programs easy after reformat because settings are all saved in portable folder

garth · 22. Oct 2010, 03:18 PM

I use a few portables running off an SD drive in my laptop: Thunderbird is one of them. I can add to these anytime without having to update my system image so this is a practical means of keeping your core essentials intact no matter what. For sure they start up a bit slower but once they are running they are fine

miskairal · 24. Oct 2010, 03:27 AM

I use as many portable apps as possible so when I format I don't have the hassle of reinstalling everything the way I like it. It's also useful when you change computers like I did recently. Unfortunately I still haven't found an email programme I am happy with despite trying many.

eyeb · 24. Oct 2010, 05:05 AM

for emails, i just use gmail and have it grab from other accounts... i know people dont like giving google so much info on themselves... but i dont mind. plus i like how it saves me on bandwidth not having to run something to check for me all the time.

bibzgi · 27. Oct 2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miskairal

I use as many portable apps as possible so when I format I don't have the hassle of reinstalling everything the way I like it. It's also useful when you change computers like I did recently. Unfortunately I still haven't found an email programme I am happy with despite trying many.

Miskairal, have you tried thunderbird portable? If so, what were your results?

miskairal · 31. Oct 2010, 01:05 AM

Yep, have tried it several times but not for at least 6 months. Version 2.0.0.17. I know many rave about it but I just can't take to it. I didn't like the interface, it's ugly. I realise this is not what makes a programme the best but it seems to matter to me

I never found a way to insert an image rather than attach it. I often want to insert screenshots with explanations.

Guess I'm just too fussy

22. Oct 2010, 02:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
bibzgi Full Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 60	Using portable apps for privacy on the non-portable computer Dear ChitChat, Portable apps are not just for portable computer gizmos that fit in a pocket. Here is an example. I just have a laptop (poor me ha ha) and my email program was Mozilla Thunderbird. Thunderbird is a superb software that collects from all the email sources (the subscription to the cable company, gmail, hotmail, etc.mail) It takes work and patience to put the Thunderbird personal email folder onto an encrypted partition of the computer. It takes more work and patience to get it back. Yesterday, I downloaded Thunderbird as a portable edition to my TrueCrypt virtual drive. I'm thrilled with it. No more headaches. The portable edition runs contained.* Portable apps are also called standalone apps. In general, I avoid them for my laptop. Most programs run better without them. However, some programs run just as good and I am in the process of downloading and using them because they don't leave my history in my Vista OS. For example, I am using portable Firefox when I write here. To go threw cleanup programs is a chore. If I can just have important programs like email and internet explorer as standalone programs on my encrypted drive (via TrueCrypt) than I'll be happier. ChitChat readers please comment! I need all the help I can get. *Postscript: run the portable exe within the folder and do not run the exe as a link outside the folder

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22. Oct 2010, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
eyeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Planet X Posts: 487	i always use portable apps over installed verisons if possible. Or use jaunte and make them portable. 2 main reasons i do this: 1) it keeps system clean so it doesn't get slowed down 2) it makes copying/restoring programs easy after reformat because settings are all saved in portable folder

22. Oct 2010, 03:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
garth Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Here. Posts: 1,451	I use a few portables running off an SD drive in my laptop: Thunderbird is one of them. I can add to these anytime without having to update my system image so this is a practical means of keeping your core essentials intact no matter what. For sure they start up a bit slower but once they are running they are fine

24. Oct 2010, 03:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
miskairal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 129	I use as many portable apps as possible so when I format I don't have the hassle of reinstalling everything the way I like it. It's also useful when you change computers like I did recently. Unfortunately I still haven't found an email programme I am happy with despite trying many.

24. Oct 2010, 05:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
eyeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Planet X Posts: 487	for emails, i just use gmail and have it grab from other accounts... i know people dont like giving google so much info on themselves... but i dont mind. plus i like how it saves me on bandwidth not having to run something to check for me all the time.

31. Oct 2010, 01:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
miskairal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 129	Yep, have tried it several times but not for at least 6 months. Version 2.0.0.17. I know many rave about it but I just can't take to it. I didn't like the interface, it's ugly. I realise this is not what makes a programme the best but it seems to matter to me I never found a way to insert an image rather than attach it. I often want to insert screenshots with explanations. Guess I'm just too fussy