A Simple On-The-Road Office for Writers
A Flash Drive or MP3 Player and Some Software Make for Light Travel
In this day of traveling light and economically, here is what the writer can do to travel more efficiently and easily.
PortableApps.com Suite™ is a complete collection of free portable software.
PortableApps Suite includes a web browser, email client, office suite, calendar/scheduler, instant messaging client, antivirus, audio player, password manager, PDF reader, a couple of games, backup utility and integrated menu, all preconfigured to work portably.
PortableApps is a program that can be used on most any computer
The program can be carried on a USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod, MP3 player, etc. When loaded onto the host computer, all the programs are available for use by way of a user friendly menu. When the device is unplugged from the computer, no personal data is left behind.
After an easy download and installation, the portable office is ready to use.
For a 256MB device download the Suite Light which includes a word processor instead of the office suite. For 512MB and up, download the Suite Standard which includes the office suite (with word processor, spreadsheet, presentations program, database, and drawing program). Download PortableApps, run the easy installer and it is ready to use. Just plug into the USB port of the computer you are using.
Some of the many benefits to using PortableApps while traveling are being able to:
- Carry a web browser along with favorite bookmarks,
- Carry a calendar with all one’s appointments
- Carry an email client complete with contacts and settings
- Carry an instant messenger and one’s buddy list
- Carry a whole office suite along with one’s documents and presentations
- Carry an antivirus program and other computer utilities
- Carry all one’s important passwords and account information securely
- Have a presentation and the required software ready to show one’s work on the road
- Have one’s password available for banking online while on the road
Skype™ Internet phone calls are free to anyone in the world that also has Skype
Skype works on most types of computers. To call land and mobile phones (2.1 cents/min. and up—SMS messages about 8 cents and up), start a tab with Skype ($10 minimum). To receive phone calls from people who don't have Skype, one may buy a local phone number from Skype ($18 for 3 months--includes voicemail).
Numbers are available in the UK, USA and several other countries. Sign up at Skype.com. Skype works best with broadband Internet. Skype contacts and phone book are available wherever one goes--just log on to Skype. Portable Skype (to load on the device along with PortableApps) is available through the PortableApps site. It is good to carry a small microphone/earphone set for computers that don't have these capabilities.
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