> LEARN: I would like to learn about running Ubuntu from a USB Flash Drive

At least once or twice a year someone asks us if its possible to run Windows® from a CD or USB flash drive. The answer is NO, you cannot run any version of Windows® from a CD or USB flash drive. But there are operating systems that can be run from CD or USB flash drive. Ubuntu is a Debian Linux based operating system that be run entirely from CD or USB flash drive.

To run Ubuntu from a CD you need a special build of the distribution called a "Live CD". You download the CD image and burn it, restart your computer and the OS loads. You can make configuration changes just like a fully installed version. However, once you shutdown or restart the computer all those changes will be lost.

Using a USB flash drive it is possible to run Ubuntu in what is termed "persistent mode". This allows you to carry your Operating System and your saved settings to any computer and see your desktop and personal files where ever you go without dragging a laptop around.

From a security stand point, when using Ubuntu in "persistent mode", you can remove the USB flash drive from the computer and effectively make the computer a brick.

While running Ubuntu in persistent mode you'll be able to surf the web and bookmark sites, check your email, listen to your music, create and save documents, edit pictures and everything else you are already used to doing with your computer. Since all the operating system files and programs are stored and accessed from the USB flash drive this leaves your entire hard drive available for storing pictures, music and documents. You can even run Windows® in a virtual machine.

When you're ready to carry your computer in your pocket give us a call and we'll discuss the particulars. We can create a custom USB flash drive ranging in sizes from 2GB up to 64GB.