SparkyLinux can ignite your daily computing experience. Its spark is pushing me to rethink my computing priorities. Regularly reviewing so many Linux operating systems for Linux Picks and Pans has serious consequences for my computing sanity. Normally, I have a flirtatious episode with a new release each week. I’m always on the lookout for something new and shiny. Then my flash-in-the-pan relationship flames out in favor of some other newly released rival a week later. I love the freedom of choice that open-source Linux OSes offer.
I received via e-mail an inquiry from a Linux Picks and Pans reader asking me for more details about my experiences testing SparkyLinux on a USB stick versus a full hard drive installation. Hopefully, this additional information may help other readers of the review. I am pleased to share the exchange here.
1: You mentioned that Sparky was installed to a USB memory stick. Is this preferable to using a USB equivalent of a live DVD with persistence? Pros & cons of full install v live USB?
A: I tested SparkyLinux all three ways. Initially, I did a live DVD session. There is no persistent memory for system updates as everything loads into available RAM and is purged when you exit the live session. The only data that is saveable is contents of spreadsheets, images, documents, and text files if your direct the saved file to the system's hard drive (after mounting the volume) or outputting to another external media. The USB installation automatically included persistence without having to set up any special volumes. Configuration files, system settings, added/removed applications, etc. all saved to the USB installation by default. The full hard drive installation worked much like the USB with two improvements. One, the performance was even better than the USB stick installation. Two, additional applications appeared in the system after updates. The only downside to the USB stick installation is the minute plus it takes for the login screen to appear.
2: When doing a regular install on a USB stick, the grub loader is likely to pick up the installed system to produce a dual boot memory stick. Apart from prior removal of the main HDD, is there any other way to avoid making a dual boot stick?
A: I was surprised that the USB stick installation included the grub loader displaying as a dual boot screen when the host hardware booted. Most other USB stick installations (mostly Puppy Linux, Quirky Linux and such) simply showed the boot drive options from which to boot when the boot screen first appeared rather than displaying the full grub menu. It is obviously a momentary display. I didn't bother to look for workarounds.
3: with a full install on USB, the installation would be adapted to the specifications of the host computer - cpu, gpu, sound, etc. How would the system react if used on a computer with different specifications? Auto adapt or throw a hissy fit because it couldn't find the expected system devices.
A: This is another surprisingly pleasant trait of SparkyLinux. I have been routinely using the SparkyLinux USB disk on two desktops and two laptops. SparkyLinux apparently scans the system for hardware and other parameters and then boots to the login screen. My guess is that is the reason for the one minute plus loading time. Unlike other USB stick installations I have used, SparkyLinux does not require even partial setup adjustments. It detects screen resolution, network connections with logons intact, and all the usual settings that remain persistent in a standard hard drive installation.
These computers have a wide range of hardware specs. RAM varies from 1GB to 8GB. Differences in performance are negligible. Even on the legacy gear with low-end RAM, performance is stellar. I have SparkyLinux fully installed on the hard drive of a fifth computer. That box's performance is consistently great with slightly sped up booting times and a bit speedier application loading. The computer with the hard-drive installation is at least 12 years old.
4: I'm especially interested in using a system on an external drive for secure internet access, especially banking. What are the security aspects of Sparky on a USB?
A: I think your needs will be well met. Unlike most portable Linux OSes, SparkyLinux gives you the option to require user name and password at bootup. That levels the playing field with desktop systems. Beyond that, you can add specialty security programs and encryption tools for documents, boot up and other options.
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Thanks for your answers - it was quite helpful to read.
I fully agree with them, but there are a couple of points that still cause me some difficulties.
For an old computer, with the option for a flash drive only the PS2, which slows down the system if used from a flash drive, I had to install Sparky on the hard drive in parallel with Windows and Ubuntu 18.04.
And for an ordinary (!) Computer user, it was rather problematic to understand how to install the system on a specific disk for automatic start in parallel mode, as is the case with windows / ubuntu. As a result, it turned out that Sparky runs through the F12 function.
But it's not a problem. It is only at the beginning - we(I) need to learn.
I think that in time I will get used to it and everything will fall into place.
Sorry for my English - this is not my native language and I have not used it for a long time.
Now I will follow Sparky's updates.
I hope that the Polish and Ukrainian developers will not let us down.
Thanks again for your reviews and advice.
Thanks for Your hint. I already installed and checked Sparky on my old laptop. What can I say - I am very pleased with the work of this "quick runner." Moreover, if I had known about him before, I would have installed it on the main computer. Thanks again for Your work, I always read your reviews with interest.
SparkyLinux Incinerates the Hassle Factor
Posted by: Jack M. Germain March 21, 2019 10:24 AMSparkyLinux can ignite your daily computing experience. Its spark is pushing me to rethink my computing priorities. Regularly reviewing so many Linux operating systems for Linux Picks and Pans has serious consequences for my computing sanity. Normally, I have a flirtatious episode with a new release each week. I’m always on the lookout for something new and shiny. Then my flash-in-the-pan relationship flames out in favor of some other newly released rival a week later. I love the freedom of choice that open-source Linux OSes offer.
1: You mentioned that Sparky was installed to a USB memory stick. Is this preferable to using a USB equivalent of a live DVD with persistence? Pros & cons of full install v live USB?
A: I tested SparkyLinux all three ways. Initially, I did a live DVD session. There is no persistent memory for system updates as everything loads into available RAM and is purged when you exit the live session. The only data that is saveable is contents of spreadsheets, images, documents, and text files if your direct the saved file to the system's hard drive (after mounting the volume) or outputting to another external media. The USB installation automatically included persistence without having to set up any special volumes. Configuration files, system settings, added/removed applications, etc. all saved to the USB installation by default. The full hard drive installation worked much like the USB with two improvements. One, the performance was even better than the USB stick installation. Two, additional applications appeared in the system after updates. The only downside to the USB stick installation is the minute plus it takes for the login screen to appear.
2: When doing a regular install on a USB stick, the grub loader is likely to pick up the installed system to produce a dual boot memory stick. Apart from prior removal of the main HDD, is there any other way to avoid making a dual boot stick?
A: I was surprised that the USB stick installation included the grub loader displaying as a dual boot screen when the host hardware booted. Most other USB stick installations (mostly Puppy Linux, Quirky Linux and such) simply showed the boot drive options from which to boot when the boot screen first appeared rather than displaying the full grub menu. It is obviously a momentary display. I didn't bother to look for workarounds.
3: with a full install on USB, the installation would be adapted to the specifications of the host computer - cpu, gpu, sound, etc. How would the system react if used on a computer with different specifications? Auto adapt or throw a hissy fit because it couldn't find the expected system devices.
A: This is another surprisingly pleasant trait of SparkyLinux. I have been routinely using the SparkyLinux USB disk on two desktops and two laptops. SparkyLinux apparently scans the system for hardware and other parameters and then boots to the login screen. My guess is that is the reason for the one minute plus loading time. Unlike other USB stick installations I have used, SparkyLinux does not require even partial setup adjustments. It detects screen resolution, network connections with logons intact, and all the usual settings that remain persistent in a standard hard drive installation.
These computers have a wide range of hardware specs. RAM varies from 1GB to 8GB. Differences in performance are negligible. Even on the legacy gear with low-end RAM, performance is stellar. I have SparkyLinux fully installed on the hard drive of a fifth computer. That box's performance is consistently great with slightly sped up booting times and a bit speedier application loading. The computer with the hard-drive installation is at least 12 years old.
4: I'm especially interested in using a system on an external drive for secure internet access, especially banking. What are the security aspects of Sparky on a USB?
A: I think your needs will be well met. Unlike most portable Linux OSes, SparkyLinux gives you the option to require user name and password at bootup. That levels the playing field with desktop systems. Beyond that, you can add specialty security programs and encryption tools for documents, boot up and other options.
__________
Jack Germain
LinuxInsider
ECT News Network
I fully agree with them, but there are a couple of points that still cause me some difficulties.
For an old computer, with the option for a flash drive only the PS2, which slows down the system if used from a flash drive, I had to install Sparky on the hard drive in parallel with Windows and Ubuntu 18.04.
And for an ordinary (!) Computer user, it was rather problematic to understand how to install the system on a specific disk for automatic start in parallel mode, as is the case with windows / ubuntu. As a result, it turned out that Sparky runs through the F12 function.
But it's not a problem. It is only at the beginning - we(I) need to learn.
I think that in time I will get used to it and everything will fall into place.
Sorry for my English - this is not my native language and I have not used it for a long time.
Now I will follow Sparky's updates.
I hope that the Polish and Ukrainian developers will not let us down.
Thanks again for your reviews and advice.