Linux is an operating system that you need to know, even without using it instead of Windows, at least it is interesting and useful to have a copy to try and test.
In another article we had seen how to install the Puppy Linux version on a 128 MB USB also indicating it as the smallest and best functioning complete operating system to recycle old unused usb sticks.
Having a "portable" operating system that can be used on any computer can be used not only to learn new things, but also to create a software environment configured for oneself or to have a functioning emergency system, also useful for recovering files when Windows doesn't want to leave.
In this post we illustrate two simple procedures to install on USB pen drives with at least 1 GB space, two of the most famous and popular Linux distributions , Fedora and Ubuntu which are complete operating systems.
1) Fedora
Installing Fedora on the USB stick becomes easy thanks to the help of the Fedora Live USB Creator program .
The tool allows you to install Linux fedora on a USB Pen drive giving the user the option to use the installation file already present on the PC, if it has already been downloaded, or to download from the internet, the latest version available .
Among the possible choices, the Fedora 11 Beta, Fedora 10 and 9 versions are proposed and then a version called "Sugar On a Stick", designed for children that becomes very useful even for beginners and those approaching Linux for the first time. .
The Fedora USB Creator program does everything automatically including detecting the USB drive, installing and downloading the sources.
The files can be installed inside the USB stick, without even formatting or deleting it.
The space reserved for "Persistent Storage" is what is used to save new files or changes on the new operating system; a 100 MB may suffice.
2) Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu
These are three different versions of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, the most popular and the easiest to use version.
To install it on a pen drive, you use the uSBuntu Live Creator program that allows you to install, in two clicks, with an easy wizard, Ubuntu 8.10 on the USB stick.
With this tool you then have the tool to download the Linux Ubuntu version supported among those available, to make the pen drive bootable on the PC and to create a "Persistent Data" space reserved for files created or modified with the distribution Linux Live.
Finally, an additional and really interesting option is the one that allows you to start the operating system, not only at boot of the computer but right inside Windows thanks to the support of the Portable Virtualbox application that turns on a virtual PC without having to do any configuration or installation procedure.
From today it is also possible to combine multiple live distributions into a single DVD or a multiboot USB stick .
To know more about virtual PCs, there are two articles, one general on what virtual operating systems are and one on how to install Windows 7 on Virtual Box; also on another article there are links for downloading Linux images to try on Virtual Box.
In another article we had seen how to install the Puppy Linux version on a 128 MB USB also indicating it as the smallest and best functioning complete operating system to recycle old unused usb sticks.
Having a "portable" operating system that can be used on any computer can be used not only to learn new things, but also to create a software environment configured for oneself or to have a functioning emergency system, also useful for recovering files when Windows doesn't want to leave.
In this post we illustrate two simple procedures to install on USB pen drives with at least 1 GB space, two of the most famous and popular Linux distributions , Fedora and Ubuntu which are complete operating systems.
1) Fedora
Installing Fedora on the USB stick becomes easy thanks to the help of the Fedora Live USB Creator program .
The tool allows you to install Linux fedora on a USB Pen drive giving the user the option to use the installation file already present on the PC, if it has already been downloaded, or to download from the internet, the latest version available .
Among the possible choices, the Fedora 11 Beta, Fedora 10 and 9 versions are proposed and then a version called "Sugar On a Stick", designed for children that becomes very useful even for beginners and those approaching Linux for the first time. .
The Fedora USB Creator program does everything automatically including detecting the USB drive, installing and downloading the sources.
The files can be installed inside the USB stick, without even formatting or deleting it.
The space reserved for "Persistent Storage" is what is used to save new files or changes on the new operating system; a 100 MB may suffice.
2) Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu
These are three different versions of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, the most popular and the easiest to use version.
To install it on a pen drive, you use the uSBuntu Live Creator program that allows you to install, in two clicks, with an easy wizard, Ubuntu 8.10 on the USB stick.
With this tool you then have the tool to download the Linux Ubuntu version supported among those available, to make the pen drive bootable on the PC and to create a "Persistent Data" space reserved for files created or modified with the distribution Linux Live.
Finally, an additional and really interesting option is the one that allows you to start the operating system, not only at boot of the computer but right inside Windows thanks to the support of the Portable Virtualbox application that turns on a virtual PC without having to do any configuration or installation procedure.
From today it is also possible to combine multiple live distributions into a single DVD or a multiboot USB stick .
To know more about virtual PCs, there are two articles, one general on what virtual operating systems are and one on how to install Windows 7 on Virtual Box; also on another article there are links for downloading Linux images to try on Virtual Box.
