It features a G-Key, which is simply a USB disk that you slip into the device. What's so unique about this? Well for a start, your entire operating system, documents, settings, pictures, music, etc. are all stored on this little gadget. OK maybe not fancy, its just a bootable USB drive with Mandriva Linux with a persistent configuration.....in English, its just Linux on a USB drive set up in a way that the USB drive acts like a normal HDD. You, YES YOU, can even make one yourself, as i have done many times in the past.
But this actually got me thinking....what if? What if this became a standard? I know that computer motherboards have been able to boot from a USB drive for years now (sooo useful when you have windows and it crashes.....as windows does). Imagine this. You're at the office working on some documents, you feel like listening to a little bit of music, maybe even browsing the web for some downloads or new software. Simple enough, anyone can do that. Now the interesting part. You shut down, pull out your G-Key, clip it back onto the lanyard around your neck (VITAL. These things can easily get lost people.....EASILY....and god knows what you would have on it) and make your way home. As you're making your way through the streets, you realize you forgot to send an important email and it HAS to be done today. Easy. Just pop into an internet cafe or maybe even a Starbucks (I'm dreaming, OK?), unclip your G-Key, slip it in, and there's your desktop on the screen with all your documents, settings, music, etc. just exactly the same as it was in the office. Open your email client (hopefully its Thunderbird....just thought I'd plug another Mozilla app quickly), write your oh so important e-mail, and send. Shut down, unplug, clip on, carry on home. When you get home, unclip, plug in, turn on. Again, your very same personalized desktop in all its glory on your laptop or desktop. Work on a couple docs, listen to your music, maybe buy some software online that you need at work (Office? Please don't).
Simple enough, right? But suppose Junior feels like checking his mail and getting on MySpace. Well, you wouldn't want him to mess up your desktop with his (excuse the french...) crap. Unplug again, and let him put his own G-Key in. Now his desktop will be on the screen, completely isolated from yours. He can download his umm....stuff, viruses, spyware and everything undesirable and crash his system. But yours will remain safe in the palm of your hand, back pocket, bottom drawer, jacket.....wherever.
Are you getting the concept yet? Your personal computer, in your pocket or around your neck, WHEREVER you go. Something to ponder about, isn't it? The simplicity of not having to buy separate licenses for software on two computers that you use everyday (Software companies will NOT like this idea), not having to download music onto a flash disk and then upload to your personal computer when its within your grasp. No chaos when you get home and realize you needed so forward those emails or send those documents, or that a spreadsheet needs to be completed.
If you want more information on making your own G-Key (although it won't be. it will just be a USB drive with Linux on it) then visit PendriveLinux.com. They have step by step guides on how to create Persistent and Non-Persistent installations for a vast number of Linux flavors. Heck, they even have their own. Anyone can do it. If you have any questions, feel free to comment or email me. Address is somewhere on the site.
(P.S. The above screenshot is actually the Pendrivelinux desktop rotating. Nifty, huh?)
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