[ale] Linux alternative recommendation ?

[Courtney Thomas]

Ron,

Thanks for the extensive replies.

What would be the downside of using live CDs for various OSes and an 
external HD for data ?

Appreciatively,

Courtney

On 10/24/2011 10:53 AM, Ron Frazier wrote:
> 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>