LINUX LEECH

This is portable Linux distribution that boots from a USB stick, that has wireless support, and is battery powered. The ultimate in portable Linux.

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Step 1: WHY AND WHAT YOU NEED

The goal of this project was to run linux and wireless support for linux from one common compact device. I ride my bike to the library regularly to use their wireless connection. My initial thought was to carry my laptop there in a back pack. By the time I loaded it up it was way too heavy for a long ride. I also got tired of lugging it back and forth to the office. The solution was discovering linux on a usb stick. There some advantages to this system.
-You only need one USB port to run it (great for older laptops)
-It leaves no trace on the computer when you are done (the whole file system is built in RAM)
-You have all of your applications, desktop, and data no matter where you go.
-Will read NTFS file system but, will not write making it safe to use on any machine (you can make it write NTFS with some additional software).
-Easy to update software.
-Ability to boot USB stick with a motherboard that doesn’t support that. Cool.

What you’ll need:

1 USB hub with external power supply (think old and cheap, better chance it will work with linux)
1 thumb drive (at least 512 mb I would suggest a gig)
1 USB wifi adaptor ( linux compatible check the forums here http://www.slax.org/forum/
)
1 4 AA battery pack with on off switch (Radio Shack)
1 ISO of Slax linux http://www.slax.org/download.php (I prefer the Kill Bill version)
1 copy of Myslax creator http://myslax.bonsonno.org/download.php
Case parts I used two pieces of plexiglass with standoffs from home depot

WhiteTigerTails says: Feb 14, 2013. 11:09 AM

This is now moot. Get a Raspberry Pi for 35, and cut out most of the steps. All it needs is a tiny screen, a keyboard, mouse combo, battery adapter, and a wifi card.

jdsarasin8194 says: Apr 6, 2009. 6:52 PM

What is this supposed to do???

instructors in reply to jdsarasin8194Jul 6, 2009. 4:59 PM

when Plugged into a computer, it will boot up in linux, not Windows/Mac. The Wifi is so that it has built in wifi so it can connect to the internet. The power supply is to run the Wifi and the USB, but this Whole project will only work if the computer is capable of booting through USB, if not use PLoP, or something other. (I heard GRUB works well)

Thundermoon99 in reply to instructorsFeb 6, 2013. 7:53 PM

so wouldn't it be easier to make the bootable USB and plug it straight into the computer?

dombeef in reply to jdsarasin8194Jun 1, 2009. 12:30 PM

It connects via USB... which is connected to the motherboard. lol

Dearden805 says: Nov 27, 2011. 2:10 PM

I don't get it what is the purpose of this project? Is it a small computer? I mean what's a linux distribution?

An_Amateur622 in reply to Dearden805Jun 1, 2012. 6:47 AM

A Linux Dirstribution is a version of Linux. Sort of like how Microsoft developed different versions of Windows or Mac with OSX. However, most Linux distributions are independent of each other, and you choose whichever one suits your needs the best.
What this project does is not only allow you to boot up a Linux Distribution on any computer you want, but it includes a WiFi adapter so that you can get wireless support if the computer that you are on has hardware that your Linux distro doesn't have the drivers to support.

***By the way, I am still new to Linux. Anybody please feel free to correct me if I am wrong***

dagob in reply to An_Amateur622Sep 27, 2012. 12:17 PM

I still don't get what is these all devices for? It makes no sense, You still need a computer to run the linux in your USB stick, so why not have it installed already in your computer, if you like windows then make a dual boot option.

An_Amateur622 in reply to dagobOct 29, 2012. 4:20 PM

Because what he wants to do here is be able to boot from a computer at his local library, which probably already has windows on it and he wants to be able to use something with his own settings and software without having to take his laptop.

m3harri in reply to dagobOct 22, 2012. 3:44 PM

You could use something like this to diagnose and repair infected or corrupted PCs or to just be able to have YOUR system where ever you are.

TheRealDutchOwner in reply to Dearden805Jan 12, 2012. 11:15 AM

A Linux Distribution is a Linux Operating System. Ubuntu, MoonOS, Chromium OS, SUSE, Debian, Puppy Linux, Damn Small Linux, even Android are a few examples.

DustySeven7 says: Aug 29, 2012. 3:15 PM

they way the componets are connected in the picture this WILL NOT WORK. a usb mulitplies a single usb port into multiple. the usb 2.0 is not really bidirectional on the port side. So what is plugged in one port will not see another port's device. also you a computer to initiate HOST so the devices can comunicate, all this does is provide power to them.. with out a actually cpu of some type to RUN the linux distro this is USELESS

An_Amateur622 says: May 22, 2012. 6:32 PM

This idea is awesome! The only question I have:
Is there a USB cable not pictured that connects the setup to the PC? I was just wondering.

schmitta says: Mar 23, 2012. 4:36 AM

This is really nice. You probably run Ubuntu this way as well.

dfalk says: Jan 21, 2012. 12:41 PM

Its awsome!! :D

Arbitror says: May 11, 2009. 7:02 PM

Is it possible to use Ubuntu? Or openSUSE? Is there a USB version out there?

irishjim68 in reply to ArbitrorNov 12, 2011. 3:48 PM

Check the Ubuntu and SUSE websites! Search for "Installing live to usb" and you should get instructions to install that particular distro to a usb stick.

Arbitror in reply to irishjim68Nov 12, 2011. 5:21 PM

Checkout the date that comment was posted! Since then I've learned how to install any Linux distro manually on a usb drive, using syslinux...

james.mcglashan in reply to ArbitrorJun 17, 2010. 3:39 AM

I used to use Ubuntu but now i upgraded to Linux-Mint, Its a Distribution of Ubuntu. Debian > Ubuntu > Linux-Mint

m3harri in reply to ArbitrorMay 19, 2010. 9:10 AM

Yes and it is awesome. I am born again linux

stone3408 (author) in reply to m3harriMay 20, 2010. 5:24 AM

You can use any linux distro. Personally I like to use Slax or Puppy due to the fact that you can copy the entire OS into the RAM and it will run very, very fast.