Help choose Distribution for USB memory stick

[bonikola]

Hi

Iam new to this but I want to learn linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP and JAVA.

I got an 8 GB USB Memory stick wich I want to use, I dont want to install Linux on my harddrive, I want it portable and on an USB stick.

What I need is a distribution thats big with lots of programs and the Ability to Save files and configurations Directly on the USB Memory stick, and it should be able to run apache, mysql,php and java.

I want the USB memory stick to act like a harddrive so to speak.

Any ideas what might fit my description?

Also, I already downloaded and tried Knoppix Live CD, but I cant get knoppix 6.4.4 to work, but an older version worked. But its so small, not so many programs. Is there a way to install lets say a DVD version of a distro to USB and make it work like the live version?

/Thanks in Advance, sorry for the many questions. But iam totally new to this, but iam looking forward to learn more about Linux.

[Nagarjuna]

Though they're a many different distributions that will be great for what you desire, I think I'm just going to recommend Ubuntu. It's one of the the most popular distributions for a reason: It's easy to use, has a powerful and flexible package manager and can easily be put on a 2GB+ USB flash-drive.

It is rather large compared to most 'pocket Linux' distributions, but you have plenty of space on your USB drive.

Google has a plethora of information for installing Linux to a flash-drive. You may also be interested in the DistroWatch website, which lists and documents a huge amount of Linux distributions: DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

Let us know if you need any help, and have fun.

[ramin.honary]

Well, you have made a very wise choice to learn about those things. I believe computers are so important that you need to take personal responsibility and learn how to use them properly, which not enough people do. Good for you !

Anyway, let me get to the point:

1. Ubuntu and Peppermint are excellent for beginners. I wouldn't call myself a beginner, but I use Ubuntu, it is my favorite of all the distributions I've tried.
2. USB memory is very slow, and Linux is very fast. Using USB as a hard drive can slow your computer down A LOT!
3. When downloading a boot image, make sure to get a ".img" file, NOT an ".iso" file. ISO is for booting CD/DVDs.
4. Neither Windows nor Mac cannot read files from Linux disks, so the USB disk will be Linux only.

Ubuntu (and I am sure Peppermint also) provides tools for creating a "Live USB" disk. Google "Live USB" or "Bootable USB memory" + the keywords "Ubuntu" or "Peppermint".

Creating a USB disk usually involves running the Live USB creator software. This software will ask you for a disk image (the ".img" file) which you must have downloaded beforehand from the website (or from BitTorrent, which is faster). This image contains the version of Linux you want to install. Before writing to the USB disk, it will allow you to set how much free space you have on the USB disk for files and things. Creating a USB disk will of course erase everything on it, so be careful of that.

Make sure you set your computer to boot from the USB disk not the hard drive or CD/DVD drive. This usually involves pressing a hotkey, like "F2" when your computer's logo appears on screen immediately after powering it on.

Let us know how it goes!

[bonikola]

Thanks for answers, I want a linux distribution to run from USB that is big in the businesses world.

And that come with alot of free programs like java, php, mysql, apache server.

I just installed Fedora wich is based on RedHat, but it doesnt come with Live DVD so i dont get so much programs as i want.

So now iam dl Scientific linux live DVD and I will try that. i read its also based on RedHat. Is this a good choice for me? does it have alot of developer tools?

[rokytnji]

I run a AntiX 11 RC1 persistent 2gig USB. Debian Testing and saves changes.

[reed9]

Any of the main distros have all the development tools you need available, though most do not install them by default. (I would imagine they are on the SL DVD, though.)

SL is a clone of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, so yes, that would be one of the more popular choices in the enterprise market. however, it can be more difficult to configure for use on a laptop or as a general desktop.

You could also "spin" your own custom live distro relatively simply. I know for Ubuntu, there are tools like remastersys or UCK, or there is SUSE Studio.

Ultimately, I would recommend trying a few different distros. You can accomplish all the same tasks in pretty much any distro, so it comes down in large part to preference.

[ramin.honary]

And that come with alot of free programs like java, php, mysql, apache server. I just installed Fedora wich is based on RedHat, but it doesnt come with Live DVD so i dont get so much programs as i want.

There is something you do not seem to understand about Linux: you don't need CD's or DVD's to install programs. All you need is two things:

1. internet access to an online "software repository"
2. use the built-in "package manager" program -- just tell these programs what software you want, and it automatically downloads and installs the software for you for free.

That is how Linux does software.

EXAMPLE: How to install software in Ubuntu, Peppermint, or Debian...
To install your software, you can use the "aptitude" program (text only, but very easy to use), or the "Synaptic" program, which is a graphical program. You can also use the "apt-get" command to install software.

To install MySQL:

apt-get install mysql-common

And the whole program will automatically be downloaded and installed for you! To install Java:

apt-get install openjdk-6-jre

And you're done! To install Apache

apt-get install apache2-mpm-worker

and now you have Apache. To install PHP

apt-get install libapache2-mod-php5

and now Apache runs PHP for you.

Thanks for answers, I want a linux distribution to run from USB that is big in the businesses world.

The "Big Business" Linux systems include RedHat and Debian flavors. Fedora is a flavor of RedHat, and Ubuntu and Peppermint are flavors of Debian. Debian is backed by a few large companies including HP. Derivative distributions Ubuntu and Peppermint are backed by the Canonical Corporation.

But you shouldn't worry about which Linux systems are "Big Business". For beginners, it is much more important to start with a Linux that is easy to use. Definitely try "Ubuntu" or "Peppermint" first, they are VERY easy to use.

A few software repositories, like those for enterprise Linux, cost money to access, so you need to be aware of that. Others repositories, like Ubuntu and Peppermint are free to use. (Also, I think, Scientific Linux is free, but I am not sure.)

Once you download an easy-to-use Linux operating system and install it, then you can easily use the package manager like "apt-get" or "synaptic" to download and install software from repositories. Fedora and Scientific Linux use "yum" instead of "apt-get".

Some package management requires a bit of setup. It can be difficult for beginners to set-up your Linux to use a repository, so you should just use the default repository. This is why Ubuntu is a good choice -- the default repository has all the software you want: Java OpenJDK, PHP, MySQL, and Apache server. They also have almost every programming language ever invented.

[bonikola]

thanks for all help.

Ok, if its so that Ubuntu has exactly the programs I want for free I might actually install it.

But then I got some other questions Regarding installing on USB with Ubuntu.

I want the programs to be Saved On the USB not on my harddrive. I dont want the linux to even have anything to do with my physical harddrive, is that possible and how do I do? Iam gonna create 2 partitions on the USB.

Is there another GUI then Gnome that is alot faster to use on Ubuntu?

[reed9]

What you want is called a persistent usb install.

Anything using a lightweight window manager will be faster and less resource intensive than GNOME or KDE. Popular options are openbox, fluxbox, or icewm. You can check out Lubuntu for an Ubuntu flavor that uses openbox (as part of the LXDE environment.)

[bonikola]

Thanks

But Cant I use Ubuntu and just change the GUI ?

How do I install apps so they go to the persistent storage and not to the physical harddrive?