Last time we discussed Portable Applications for your windows computers.
There are several great things about portable programs. One being they are independent which means they stand alone. For instance, when installing them you select only one folder. Once installed, you will find that program and all of its related files in that folder. This is totally unlike windows installations of today.
Being completely self-contained enables you to move the folder to any other location on your computer or copy it to another computer and it works. It also works absolutely the same as it did in its previous location. Also, they give you a brilliant solution to one of life’s larger windows headaches (IMHO). If you do not like the program, you can delete the folder and it is gone … totally.
So much for the refresher course. Now we can get onto some of the important info I did not tell you last time. For instance, what are some of the applications available today as portable applications or programs? Here is a very short list. There are many different types of games. One of my favorites is “Atomic Tanks” and of course, “Sudoku.” Next, how about a great portable browser-namely Firefox’s latest version. There is a very good email program, (if you do not check your email at online sites) “Thunderbird.” Do you need an excellent graphics program which challenges the abilities of other high priced ones? Try, “Gimp.” There are many types of RSS-Feed readers and music managers/players. Have you ever used the full version of VLC for CD and/or DVD playback? If so and you like it, get the portable version. Several good chat/IM applications are available so look for them too.
The last three (and there are many, many more) biggies that I will mention today are first, the Office replacements that many know and love, “Libre Office” and “Open Office” are both available. The final bigwig program is “Skype.”
These programs, which I have tried, run as well as the full blown versions. I really can’t complain. Of course it also depends on your computer, but they are worth a try. If you want to give them a shot.
Oh, did I forget to mention that all of these applications are free, yes totally without hidden advertising (at least, that I have run into yet).
One thing before you start downloading all of these programs. Make sure you have uninstalled the full version before you start playing with the portable version. If not you may get the computer and yourself confused.
Finally, where do you find the portable applications? Easy, go to “PortableApps.com” and click on the, “Get Apps” link at the top of the page. There are other sites out there; however, this is one of the first and best.
When you install them where you downloaded the file will be the automatic location of the program, so choose somewhere else. If you have a portable thumb drive plugged into your computer it will automatically choose to install the program there. The reason is these programs were actually created to run on thumb drives for portability; hence the name. Once installed go to the file with the word Portable” on the end of it and double click it. This starts the application.
If you do not like the program and want to delete it, delete the folder containing the program and you are done, without reboots or any worry about it clogging up your system with useless cruft.
