BadgerFiles

Have you ever spent hours creating a document only to meet your client or colleague and realize their computer lacks the software you need to display your document? If you’re like me, you can answer “yes” to this question, more times than you can count. The low cost answer to these computing accessibility and mobility problems is to run portable applications from your USB flash drive.

Fortunately, USB flash drives are as common today as floppy disks were ten years ago, and the increased storage space of the flash drives means you can store both application and files together, in your pocket. The downside for some of you is that the applications I describe may not be familiar to you in name, but really, if you’ve used one word processor or web browser, you can use any word processor or web browser.

So, what is a portable application other than a program that runs on a flash drive? The PortableApps.com web site expands the definition: “When your USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. And when you unplug, none of your personal data is left behind.”

Let’s look at access to your compatible software. Regardless, of what Microsoft wishes, not everyone uses Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, and I’ve visited friends and institutions without the MS Office applications installed. Personally, I use the OpenOffice.org suite of applications, Write, Calc, and Impress, for my documentation needs; as a result, I often find other computer systems lack my software.

Portable OpenOffice.org from PortableApps.com solves the word processor compatibility problem from both angles because it will read and save files in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint formats, which means you can use Portable OpenOffice.org to read your documents even when the computer you use doesn’t have MS Office installed. If you prefer to work with OpenOffice.org, then you can can have access to your favorite application regardless of whose computer you use.

Accessibility is important, but so is privacy. Have you ever needed to check your email or eBay auction from someone else’s computer?

Recently, a family friend wanted to use my computer, and I agreed. After he left, I sat down and opened his email and viewed his online photo as him. I also know he shopped for camera lenses.

Do you leave the same traces and make the same mistakes when using other people’s computers? Unfortunately, sloppy security habits make us vulnerable. Portable Firefox can help keep you secure because it leaves no trace of your activity after you remove your flash drive. It makes what I did to my friend impossible. In addition to the extra privacy, you can have ready access to your bookmarks and browser add-ons.

I have offered two solutions to the most popular mobile computing problems, but PortableApps.com offers additional applications for a variety of situations. If you’re in need of a puzzle fix, you can try Portable Suduko.

Originally published in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.