OS X Portable Applications
What are portable apps?
Portable applications are apps that can run on any external hard drive. This makes it easy to use multiple computers without syncing. This also means that you can keep your Address book contacts, email messages, and Safari/FireFox bookmarks while you go to any Library, Café, or office computer.
Finding a Drive
Portable applications are designed to be used on small drives such as USB flash drives or “thumb drives. The size of the drive depends on what you are going to do with it. If you plan on running your email client, try to use a larger drive. Remember: Every single email gets saved to your external drive. You may run out of space sooner then you think.
Tips and Escapade
Portable apps will be slower than running them on a firewire or internal hard drive-not to mention using a USB 1.1 hub. To speed things up a bit, try not to plug the drive into your keyboard. Plug it directly into the computer for a better experience.
Because USB flash drives are so small nowadays, it is easy for them to get lost or stolen. Be sure to keep an eye on your drive if you’re not using any form of encryption. You may also buy a drive with a handy necklace or implement your own, and wear your data for safe keeping.
Installing Portable Applications
Most portable applications are installed by a simple drag and drop. If you already have data, for instance your Firefox favorites, they can be easily copied to and from your data drive. See the included instructions with each of your apps for more info on how they store your data and preferences
So where do you find apps that are capable of running on the go? Freesmug is a great place to find them. Firesmug has a bundle of over 2 dozen portable apps including: Firefox, Thunderbird, Adium, Vienna, VLC, Gimp, Xchat, and more. Sourceforge and also has an area for them.
Not all of the programs are free but the majority are. Some apps like Portable Address Book are $1 (USD). If you travel a lot, use multiple computers, or don’t always feel the need to lug around your notebook, portable applications might be right up your alley.
These apps are beginning to be very important on the market.