Myself, I haven’t tired this, but it looks cool! Portable applications are just applications that store all your preferences and related files together. It could be on a USB drive, Zip disk or iPod. Perfect for taking your bookmarks, mail and setting with you when you go.

Sounds like a great idea to me. Use portable Thunderbird and you’ll always have your inbox with you. Use portable Firefox and have your bookmarks and your setting with you at all times. At the library, school, hotel or moms house!

The applications just run off your external media and save all program files there too.

Proteus instant messenger has has gone from a paid application to a free application.

Proteus can connect to almost any IM service such as Yahoo, Google and MSN. It’s a great idea and this was a cool program a few years ago. That was until I found Adium.

Adium does the same thing only it’s been free much longer and has more customizable features. Plus, Proteus doesn’t directly support GTalk yet.

Proteus is a great alternative though. It feels more complete in some aspects yet not as good in others. I’m glad it went free as I think that’ll help the program stay alive and get better.