ThumbDrive / Flashdrive / Pendrive - What do you keep on 'em?

[crumbles]

So, this post might be a little long, but I figured I would offer something I did recently to the REV3 members if they were interested.

I have a bunch of portable applications that I keep on my thumbdrive. Mainly stuff to fix spyware, viruses, etc., because people are always asking me to fix my PC's. One thing that I HATED WITH A PASSION was always having to go through my thumbdrive and update all the applications, definitions, etc. Well, no longer. I finally sat down the other day -- and over the course of about 3 days I completed this script, that, if you guys are interested in, I'll share with you guys.

First, if you don't have PStart (http://www.pegtop.net/start/) on your thumbdrive, I highly recommend that you get it and use it.

It creates a nice little menu in your systray of all applications stored on your thumbdrive:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/Bojangles888/pstart.jpg

Anyway, as I said, I HATED updating all the programs and definitions on my thumbdrive. Now comes the script part. I created the THUMBDRIVE UPDATES icon on the PStart menu. When I click it, I get the following screen:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/Bojangles888/update_menu.jpg

This menu shows me a list of applications I have set up to update, the last time I updated them, and if I have an active internet connection. I can select any one of the programs to update, or I can tell the script to update all of them. I also have the option to check "SERVER UPDATES." This will tell the script to go out to the server of those programs, and check the headers of the files for the most recent updates. It currently says UNKNOWN in the above screen shot since I haven't run it yet.

This is what it will show after it has run:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/Bojangles888/update_menu2.jpg

Now, this tells me that the last time I updated AntiVIR was on 1/18/2008, and the most recent definitions from them are from 01/20/2008. So, I know to update those definitions to stay current. It would appear that SpyBot does not need to be updated at this time.

I have written the script in a way that is HIGHLY customizable for your thumbdrive. I wrote it so there were a ton of variables that you can customize any way you want:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/Bojangles888/script_code.jpg

I can't copy all the code here on the forum since it's way to long, and I don't think they allow uploading BAT files. If you are interested in the script, PM me and we can work out a way for me to send it to you.

Also, if you can think of anyway to improve it, or stuff to add, let me know and I'll see what I can come up with.

[bb4034]

Just upload the batch as a text file so we can easily see the code...

I encrypt all my drives with cascade encryption using a 40+ non-standard character pass phrase. I usually store sensitive data, for redundancy purposes - something I learned while working at my state's lottery and reading their disaster recovery procedures.

[samureye]

www.mediafire.com - make a file with everything and give us the link, as well as suggested programs to use. Great thread.

[farmeunit]

Good idea. I'd like to use something like that. Keeping that stuff updated is a slight pain.

[tokenuser]

My main one (one my keyring - 2GB) has random crap on it. I use it like a floppy disk.

[crumbles]

First off,

I apologize for not responding to this thread earlier. Literally the second I posted this, I was unable to get to the REV3 website for a few days. Then, it moved off of the first page and I forgot about it.

Anyway...

I've been working on the script off and on, and I have made a lot of changes to the code. Here is a screen shot of how it looks now (minus me hiding my MAC):

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/Bojangles888/menu.jpg

I'm going to place the script online soon, along with an image of my thumbdrive. I'll post it in here when it's done.