Cool Computer-On-A-Stick

[taranicole1988]

Hi everyone! I love new inventions and toys and such, so I'd thought I'd post about a product called "Computer-On-a-Stick", which I just got today. It has its own operating system and everything! I thought someone might want to provide feedback on what they think. Check it out at www.fingergear.com

[donecweb]

That sounds rather cool.

[SensoVision]

Hi! I've try to read your FAQ but since it's very long I decide to ask your directly what OS and packages exactly contain your flash drive, is it modification of Knoppix, SLAX or you've developed your own OS if so what Linux distro it based on? BTW for those who don't need authentification thing and have empty USB stick it's possible to install there some Linux anytime, from what I know it could perfectly run from USB drive(never had time to try myself, but my friend run for fun Debian from his digital still camera which serve as a mass storage device).

[Hope]

My thoughts on this are WHY?

You still need a computer or laptop to use this thing. What is the purpose of it? What is the need for it?

[SensoVision]

I only see the reason for using such gadgets e.g. during travel, when you had to use someones else PC... although it's maybe easier just take with you necessary documents and open them on other machine.

[Hope]

I have a USB stick. It is great for moving larger files and carrying them on  trips. I just see the need to have an OS and software programs on these sticks.

[SensoVision]

such conception have reason to be if you don't wish to caught some virus from PC, you can avoid this by running own OS and carrying it with you.

[donecweb]

You can have every thing that the computer-on-a-stick has, except memory to store stuff on, with the MEPIS CD which is free to download and I bet you could put it on a USB stick and have room leftover on it for storage.  In fact that may have been what they did as it has many of the same programs on it that come with MEPIS.

[SensoVision]

Don, I'm curious how much space is taken by MEPIS(excluding your documents). Not sure if you know how to do this so just in case I'll mention two commands. df -h show used and free space on every mounted partition (key -h show numbers in human form i.e. kilobytes) and df -h /bin would show space used by particular directory.

[donecweb]

Right now I have no saved documents on MEPIS and Partition Magic says the partition holding MEPIS is using 2,800MB. The DVD that contains the MEPIS image I downloaded is reported by windows properties as having 716,314,624 byte of data.

[Menard]

That seems awfully expensive for a USB drive with software. I have a Lexar Sport 256 which I use to carry software and files, and it only cost $30. Feather Linux will run from a flash drive as will Knoppix upon which it is based (although Knoppix would require a large drive) and both can be downloaded for free. Feather is only a 128MB download so it can be downloaded on dial-up as well (mind you, that is an all night download). There are several other flavors of Linux which can be run from a flash drive including Slackware. I am just wondering  what you get for $150 that you can't get for $30?

[donecweb]

The only thing I can think of is the fact it is ready made and ready for use.

[Menard]

$120 extra for them to load free software onto a flash drive? I think I'd rather do it myself and save the $120.

[SensoVision]

$120 extra for them to load free software onto a flash drive? I think I'd rather do it myself and save the $120.

me too I don't see reason to pay for free OS such big money, guess that prices could be more reasonable...