A virtual worker’s best friend…portable applications. These mini versions of full applications can be downloaded onto your USB stick and taken anywhere, giving you the opportunity to work while travelling (as long as you aren’t the one driving!),  or from the beach your hotel room while attending conferences. They can be used on any computer and then taken with you when you’re finished, leaving no trace of any personal information. And did I mention they won’t cost you a thing?

Office Software

OpenOffice.org Portable is a complete office suite including a word processor, presentation tool and database. It’s compatible with Microsoft Office as well as other office suites and has everything you need to stay productive while on the road.

Browser

Portable Mozilla Firefox is my favourite web browser in portable form. It lets me take my passwords, bookmarks and extensions along with me.

Calendar and To-do List

Mozilla Sunbird portable edition is easy to use and lets you take all of your important scheduled task with you.

Media Tools

I like VLC, both for Windows and Mac. This portable media player can be  used on your flash drive, iPod and external, portable hard drive.

Security Software

ClamWin. Your anti-virus to go. For Windows.

There are also various all-in-one packages  of portable apps that include full suites you can download to your USB drive, some of which come with portable operating systems including Mac, Linux, Ubuntu and Windows.

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