[ale] Linux alternative recommendation ?

[Ron Frazier]

Courtney,

Here's my opinion of the pros and cons of HDD versus Flash (memory 
stick).  I don't know anything about (old style) ZIP drives, but I think 
they're pretty much obsolete.  I'm not sure if that's what you meant.

HDD Pros:

           lots of storage
           cheap price
           could possibly convert to using the drive internally in the 
laptop
           could use the drive later to backup your PC
           more likely to be able to dual boot / multi boot

HDD Cons:

           subject to mechanical damage (don't smack or drop it)
           usually requires 2 USB ports
           heavier
           more bulky
           requires more power (reduces battery run time)
           slower (caveat - as mentioned in my other post, the USB speed 
may be the limiting factor)

Flash (memory stick) Pros:

           small
           light
           requires only one USB port
           draws less power (increases battery run time)
           does not require an enclosure
           faster (subject to limits of USB speed)

Flash (memory stick) Cons:

           less storage space
           more money per GB
           harder to dual boot / multi boot (because of smaller storage 
capacity)
           easier to lose or misplace
           long term longevity is questionable (in my opinion)
           subject to electronic damage (static)
                (Have you ever walked across a carpet in the winter, 
touched a doorknob, and gotten a spark on your finger?)
                (If you ever do something that sparks to the memory 
stick, even if you don't know it, it will probably destroy it.)
                (I would say the memory stick is less likely to incur 
damage while traveling than the HDD.)


Regarding CD's, if you install your OS to the external HDD, you can boot 
directly from it if your PC has the capability to boot from USB.  You 
don't need a CD.  Also, another option is to put multiple operating 
systems on your internal HDD.  This is what I do.  All my PC's can dual 
boot between Linux and Windows.  You could potentially boot between 
multiple versions of Linux as well.

Sincerely,

Ron


On 10/24/2011 3:40 AM, Courtney Thomas 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
>>>>>
>>>>>            


-- 

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier

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linuxdude AT c3energy.com