Using flashdrives and mobile software and U3.

[mm]

I'm confused. Does the U3 on Sandisk flashdrives make that brand
better for running mobile versions of software?

If so, how come the other makers don't come up with something similar,
or if they have it, how come I don't see it advertised on the
packaging!

Or can one just install U3 on other brands that don't come with it?

Thanks.

 

[Paul]

I'm confused. Does the U3 on Sandisk flashdrives make that brand
better for running mobile versions of software?

If so, how come the other makers don't come up with something similar,
or if they have it, how come I don't see it advertised on the
packaging!

Or can one just install U3 on other brands that don't come with it?

Thanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U3

"SanDisk, the rights holders for U3, ask for a 5% royalty from
USB flash drive manufacturers who wish to implement the platform
on their products."

That looks like a deal breaker.

Paul

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

I'm confused. Does the U3 on Sandisk flashdrives make that brand
better for running mobile versions of software?

It's better for that than a flash drive with no platform for mobile
software.

If so, how come the other makers don't come up with something similar,
or if they have it, how come I don't see it advertised on the
packaging!

Because it is an open source implementation very similar to U3. This is
the flavor you can install on any old flash drive you have lying around:
http://portableapps.com/

 

[mm]

It's better for that than a flash drive with no platform for mobile
software.

Right. They are still useful for storage. Which, except for once, is
all I've ever used one for. I signed up for Skype when i was using my
brother's computer, and unlike Net2phon, after 6 months Skype emailed
me that they would take away my 8 dollars if I didn't use it. But I
didn't have XP yet So I had Skype on a flash drive, went to a
friend's and made one call. Later I had XP but it wasn't working
when the 6 months came around, so I put an ad on a community mailing
list, asking someoe to make a call for me on their Skype, and someone
answered and did it for me (and she only made that one call!).

Because it is an open source implementation very similar to U3. This is

With no profit motive, there is no publicity, but it still left me
thinking that they were totally inferior to Sandisk.

the flavor you can install on any old flash drive you have lying around:
http://portableapps.com/

This looks very interesting. It won't dl, but I'll keep trying until
I find a good time.

I actually like Sandisk, and I'm happy with everything I have from
them, but I was curious about what I asked, and I or more likely a
friend may end up with a non-Sandisk someday. I don't have a great
need for portable programs, but it sure sounds convenient. Once I get
set up I may well use it whenever I go out of town. Better than my 6
pound laptop for a short trip.Thanks Formerly, and thanks Paul.

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

Right. They are still useful for storage. Which, except for once, is
all I've ever used one for. I signed up for Skype when i was using my
brother's computer, and unlike Net2phon, after 6 months Skype emailed
me that they would take away my 8 dollars if I didn't use it. But I
didn't have XP yet So I had Skype on a flash drive, went to a
friend's and made one call. Later I had XP but it wasn't working
when the 6 months came around, so I put an ad on a community mailing
list, asking someoe to make a call for me on their Skype, and someone
answered and did it for me (and she only made that one call!).


With no profit motive, there is no publicity, but it still left me
thinking that they were totally inferior to Sandisk.


This looks very interesting. It won't dl, but I'll keep trying until
I find a good time.

I actually like Sandisk, and I'm happy with everything I have from
them, but I was curious about what I asked, and I or more likely a
friend may end up with a non-Sandisk someday. I don't have a great
need for portable programs, but it sure sounds convenient. Once I get
set up I may well use it whenever I go out of town. Better than my 6
pound laptop for a short trip.

I love this whole concept of carrying around everything you need on a
flash drive instead of a laptop too! I've been using U3/portable app
drives for years now, and I find them indispensable! I operate
primarily on the U3 drives also, but the great thing about the portable
apps website is that those apps also work on the U3 software, so that
way you have more apps to choose from.

I don't know for sure if you can install the U3 software on another
flash drive. I'm willing to bet it's technically possible, but Sandisk
(being that they are the creators of the proprietary U3 software) may
not like it or may have license hangups about it.

 

[mm]

I love this whole concept of carrying around everything you need on a
flash drive instead of a laptop too! I've been using U3/portable app
drives for years now, and I find them indispensable!

Now that I know about this stuff, I wish I travelled more! Or spent
more time at other places in town.

I operate
primarily on the U3 drives also, but the great thing about the portable
apps website is that those apps also work on the U3 software, so that
way you have more apps to choose from.

I don't know for sure if you can install the U3 software on another
flash drive. I'm willing to bet it's technically possible, but Sandisk
(being that they are the creators of the proprietary U3 software) may
not like it or may have license hangups about it.

And it's not like Sandisk are so expensive. AFAIK, they cost no more
than other brands. At least not much more.

The cheapest I found yesterday was Radio Shack which has through
Saturday 8 gig for 20 dollars, in stock, but things they don't stock
are free delivery to the store. Oh, their webpage will check all the
stores near you and say if something is actually in stock, and how
many there are (subject to shoplifting errors of course.)

OTOH Best Buy was 45 dollars iirc, even though I paid only 15 or 20
at Office Depot 2 years ago on the day after Thanksgiving.

Otoh2 a 16 gig at radio shack was 80 dollars.