VOGONS


PortableApps

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First post, by Mau1wurf1977

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I "discovered" this really cool utility / website and just want to quickly introduce it. I'm sure some you might find this just as cool / handy as I did!

The website is: http://portableapps.com/

You will need a formatted USB stick. Download the latest version from here: http://portableapps.com/download

Run the file and point it to your blank USB drive.

The idea behind PortableApps is to have a Start Menu, Programs, Tools, Utilities, Documents, Music Files, Pictures and so on stored on your USB drive.

You can plug it into any Windows machine and everything is there the way you left it. Your bookmarks, your documents, pictures and so on...

It's also great for testing and if you don't want to install anything local.

There is a huge list of supported programs like Firefox, Thunderbird, Libra Office, Gimp, 7-Zip and many more.

You install applications by clicking on Manage Apps > Get more Apps

http://portableapps.com/apps

It also features DOSBox, so this is great if you want a few DOS Games on the go. Just plug it into a PC at Uni, Work or in a Cafe and off you go!

Reply 1 of 13, by Dominus

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PortableApps is not as cool as it sounds. In the case of Dosbox they supply their own compiled version of dosbox which has led to problems in the past.

Windows 3.1x guide for DOSBox
60 seconds guide to DOSBox
DOSBox SVN snapshot for macOS (10.4-11.x ppc/intel 32/64bit) notarized for gatekeeper

Reply 2 of 13, by Mau1wurf1977

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Interesting. I admit I only tried a few games and they worked just fine. I did change the config file to fit my usual settings, but that was it.

Still, DOSBox is just one App out of like 100+ which PortableApp supports.

I'm quite fond of it and wish I had known about earlier. It's great in situations were you don't have access to the internet / cloud services like Google docs or Hotmail Office.

My website with reviews, demos, drivers, tutorials and more...
My YouTube channel

Reply 3 of 13, by Qbix

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i don''t really like the fact that they ask for donations, when they sometimes barely need to do any work to "port" the programs.

Water flows down the stream
How to ask questions the smart way!

Reply 5 of 13, by ratfink

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I bought a mini-pc that had this installed [by the previous owner].

I also thought it was cool. But I couldn't find a use for it, or the mini-pc for that matter.

In part that's because my home pc's are networked, and my work pc's are locked down pretty effectively. So there was nowhere that portable apps [or indeed portableapps] would be useful.

Reply 6 of 13, by Stull

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I like the idea, but I personally don't have much need for the programs. If I had to work from public computers then I could see using them more. So far, the only thing I've found useful is the legacy versions of Firefox -- there's one site that I go to that uses old security and newer browsers freak out about it (either don't load the page or take an eternity to load).

Reply 7 of 13, by Mau1wurf1977

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Mau1wurf1977 wrote:

Wow, tough crowd 😀

Reply 8 of 13, by ratfink

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🤣 sometimes it's like that isn't it. Personally I'm going to take another look as I'd forgotten all about it. Might also pass it on to my kids as it might fit well with what they do.

Reply 9 of 13, by leileilol

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It's not called PortableApps. It's called PortableApps.com!!!!

Yeah, I hate it. Almost pointless IMO, and causes more writes to the stick than it should, and some apps didn't need to be rereleased in a 'portable' version under their PortableApps.com brand

apsosig.png
long live PCem

Reply 10 of 13, by Mau1wurf1977

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Well I couldn't help it and made a little tutorial 😀

I know you don't really need PortableApps to run DOSBox from a USB memory flash drive, but there are lots of other benefits as well.

This is a short tutorial which teaches you to set-up a portable DOSBox on a USB Flash drive using PortableApps.

Firstly I'm really impressed with PortableApps. It's very handy if you're out and about a lot and don't want to carry a computer with you.

There are heaps of PortableApps available and all your documents, settings, bookmarks, music and so on are stored on your USB flash drive.

I cover the following few steps:

1. How to format your USB flash drive
2. How to download and install PortableApps
3. A quick overview of PortableApps
4. How to download Apps
5. How to download and install DOSBox portable
6. How to configure the DOSBox config file to improve picture and audio quality
7. How to tell DOSBox to automatically mount your DOS Games

Resources:

index.php
http://www.dosbox.com/
http://portableapps.com/
http://www.queststudios.com/smf/
http://www.dosforum.de/
http://forums.overclockers.com.au/index.php
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9CvD5QDc60

Reply 11 of 13, by Davros

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Mau1wurf1977 wrote:

Firstly I'm really impressed with PortableApps. It's very handy if you're out and about a lot and don't want to carry a computer with you.

I took your advice and installed portableapps on a usb stick, while in the park I realised i needed to send an email so I took my usb stick looked at it and concluded that you do actually need a computer or it doesnt work

Guardian of the Sacred Five Terabyte's of Gaming Goodness

Reply 12 of 13, by Mau1wurf1977

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Funny 😵

Just did another video. A forum member on GOG.com told me that D-Fend reloaded has a portable mode.

So I made another tutorial based around that and how to integrate it into PortableApps. I also demonstrate how to add games from GOG.com to the USB stick using Wing Commander and Privateer as examples.