[ale] Linux alternative recommendation ?

Mon Oct 24 08:49:59 EDT 2011

Who absolutely would not be better off with a live CD. That would be only a
last resort choice. With a live CD you have no swap space, it's like the
flash drive option without the choice to have the swap space.

>From what you later described, I would definitely suggest a flash drive.
Either get a class 10 MicroSD card and a bootable recessed USB reader, or a
thumb drive and a short USB extension cord so you are not obligated to leave
the thing hanging out the side.

Ubuntu is defacto Linux for people who "have to ask".
On Oct 24, 2011 3:41 AM, "Courtney Thomas" <courtneycthomas at bellsouth.net>
wrote:

> Ron,
>
> Thank you for all the important concerns unconsidered by me at this
> point, but it sounds like... I might be better advised to use live CD
> distros with a portable HD (rather than zip drives) for reliability and
> space.
>
> If true, what am I giving up if going that route ?  Speed ?
>
> Gratefully,
>
> Courtney
>
> On 10/23/2011 12:37 PM, Ron Frazier wrote:
> > Courtney,
> >
> > What I'm discussing relates to using a memory stick for your purpose.
> > Most of it won't apply if using a HDD for storage.  I will freely admit
> > to not being an expert in booting from a flash memory stick.  However,
> > here are some things to think about.  You probably want a high speed
> > memory stick.  They have different class numbers.  Higher is better, and
> > they don't always say on the label.  I don't have the numbers
> > memorized.  Get something of high quality.  Pony up a few extra dollars
> > for something with a 5 year warranty, rather than a 1 year.  (That would
> > apply to a HDD too.)  The device should have built in wear leveling, and
> > should have SLC memory circuits which have greater longevity.  This is
> > also not usually on the label.  Flash memory cells can only be written a
> > certain number of times before they degrade.  When I was teaching at a
> > technical college, I always told the students not to rely on a memory
> > stick for permanent storage.  They can flake out sometimes.  The other
> > thread I had posted about my relative wanting to recover photos is an
> > example.  Obviously, storing an OS on the thing is a more permanent
> > application, and you don't want any bits suddenly going missing.  I
> > would back up the entire memory stick from one to another periodically,
> > which would get the OS as well as all your data.  (This also would apply
> > to a HDD.)
> >
> > Here are a few items the Linux gurus here (I'm not one) may wish to
> > address.  You may not want a swap partition or file, since a swap area
> > will pound the memory stick very hard if the system get's low on
> > resources.  There are pros and cons either way.  Without swap, if you
> > boot a PC with low RAM, and run too many things, the OS may crash.
> > Also, you may wish to disable write caching to reduce the likelihood of
> > damaging the OS if the memory stick is removed without safely ejecting
> > it.  The USB port may automatically disable write caching, I don't know
> > about that.
> >
> > In the past, I've heard of people running Linux on a memory stick and
> > burning out the stick within a few months.  That was a while back, so
> > I'm not sure how the modern technology affects these issues.  Makers of
> > memory sticks, and SSD's, now say cell wear is not a problem.  That may
> > or may not be true, but I'm not totally convinced.  While I would like
> > to have an SSD, I'm not yet convinced that they can last 5 - 15 years,
> > the way a properly maintained and not mechanically damaged HDD can.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Ron
> >
> > On 10/23/2011 11:42 AM, D. Marshall Lemcoe Jr. wrote:
> >> There are some very fine 32GB and 64GB in the sub-$100 price range and
> >> anything will suit a live-key. if you're going to be traveling, the
> >> USB flash drive will be your better bet because there is no chance of
> >> it breaking like a regular HDD might.
> >>
> >> As for the distribution, I would recommend something that doesn't take
> >> a lot of setup and configuration to use, like Ubuntu or Fedora.
> >>
> >> On Sun, Oct 23, 2011 at 10:17 AM, Jim Kinney<jim.kinney at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> With the cost of removable media what it is, it's feasable to have
> several
> >>> distros on a 250GB drive all sharing a /home and selectable at boot
> from
> >>> grub.
> >>> Or carry a selection of live CD/DVD media and a thumb drive for
> storage.
> >>> This is easier unless the laptop has no cd drive. Older laptops may not
> be
> >>> able to boot from usb.
> >>>
> >>> On Oct 23, 2011 9:41 AM, "Richard Faulkner"<rfaulkner at 34thprs.org>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> What is the most important feature of the OS?  Security?  Media
> support?
> >>>> Something basic or something w/everything not nailed down?
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From: Richard Bronosky<Richard at Bronosky.com>
> >>>> Reply-to: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<ale at ale.org>
> >>>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<ale at ale.org>
> >>>> Subject: Re: [ale] Linux alternative recommendation ?
> >>>> Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:02:53 -0400
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> How much storage do you need? Could a flash drive work? 32G or 64G?
> >>>>
> >>>> On Oct 23, 2011 8:27 AM, "Courtney Thomas"<
> courtneycthomas at bellsouth.net>
> >>>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> I'd like to carry a portable Linux USB HD installation for traveling
> >>>> with my laptop and would appreciate suggestions, not only for which
> >>>> Linux flavor but also which drive.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks,
> >>>> C.Thomas
> >>>>
> >
> >
>
> --
> "Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the
> right to rise up, and shake off the existing  government, and form a new
> one that suits them better.This is a most valuable - a most sacred right
> - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world."
> Abraham Lincoln
> "Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire,
> it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
> George Washington
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