workplace on USB stick

Forum: User Feedback
Topic: workplace on USB stick
started by: nathanael

Posted by nathanael on June 22 2004,12:34

i'm traveling a lot for my job(network tec., cosumerservice/consulting). i do also a lot of webdesign in my free time. so i would like to put the DSL on a bootable USB pen (128MB)with 2 partitions, to continue programing whereever i am (i know:"buy a notebook"... but i like this idea with DSL, and it is cheaper ;).

1. partition: DLS / bootpartition /MySQL,apache,php/gPHPedit
2. partition: needs r/w access. the batabase and the basefolder for apache webfiles will stay here

all i am asking for is some info:
-how can i add the softwarepacks into the DSL distribution? is xxamp a good solution for this?
-does this concept with 2 partitions on the USB pen work at all?
-anyone with similar, working idea?

thanks a lot.

Posted by cbagger01 on June 23 2004,01:06

You can add software by downloading and installing *.ci, *.dsl or *.tar.gz packages in the myDSL repository.

You can also "Enable APT" or "Install Synaptic" and use it to install Debian packages (128MB or more RAM suggested). Once you have either installed a *.dsl package or enabled APT/Synaptic, your ramdisk filesystem is now writable and you can also install slackware packages without too much trouble.

Because these programs are installed to the ramdisk, you will lose your installation when you reboot your computer, so it is preferrable to either save the *.deb or *.tgz files and reinstall them, or even better you should manually create a *.dsl pacakge for your new programs and it will be automatically installed at boot time.

You do not need 2 partitions to use a USB device. From reading other posts in these forums, I have understood that you can keep the default USB device filesystem (usually FAT or FAT32) and do a poorman's or frugal install. Then you can use your leftover capacity as a read/write drive and store your user files there.

Try searching the forums for more advice.

Good Luck.

Posted by nathanael on June 23 2004,07:07

thanks a lot, cbagger01

that's a lot of helpfull information. i'll search next for the packs.
i've tried a lot yesterday, but i stuck on botting. it seam, that the usb ist not supported by kernel nor modules. i am using a "smal factor PC". kind a barbone in a smal case. don't know about the chipset but should be a SIS.
i will try next the knoppix usb edition, to see if there is a support for my usb. i guess i just have to find the right modules for the kernel.

thanks so far. i'll keep this process up-to-date and will make something like a how-to file when finished(if ever). could be interesting for others too