Detailed (newbie) instructions? - was [Re: running Ubuntu off USB stick and retaining settings?]

[Nils Kassube]

Goh Lip wrote:
> On 04/30/2011 10:45 PM, Goh Lip wrote:
> > I had installed a "full" kubuntu (and a netbook version) to a 8GB
> > thumb and I do not like the speed (usually data transfer to and
> > fro ram) needed for it. I would think Ubuntu (gnome would be
> > similar). However, you may not be as fussy as I am.

I have a small machine with Kubuntu 10.04 on a 4GB CF card (3.5GB 
partition actually). The space is sufficient for a standard install with 
only very few extra packages, but this is a special machine with only 
very few extra data. Therefore I would always recommend to use at least 
an 8GB USB stick, like it has been suggested.

> To add, I use thumb (flash) and not external hard disk (spinning), so
> spinning externals will be much slower, but obviously many people
> here are happy with it.

I think it mostly depends on the USB stick if it is really faster. My 
(cheap) USB stick has a transfer rate of ~14MB/s for read operations and 
only ~2MB/s for write operations. My external USB disk is much faster 
with ~25MB/s for both read and write operations, at least for big files 
where there is no big search delay. OTOH, the hard disk is of course 
much bigger and heavier.


Nils