USB Linux Challenge

In all of the advertising frenzy for Christmas something caught my eye. Flash storage has been getting cheaper and cheaper to the point where a 1 gigabyte usb flash drive now costs less than $10. With flash drives so cheap, you could buy a few. This got me thinking. Here’s my idea:

1 Buy a few cheap usb flash drives
2 Put Linux on them
3 Give them out
4. If someone likes what they see, they can have a copy. If not, no harm done.
If you get the drive back, repeat from step 3.

It’s that simple it could just work.

Fundamental Premises:

1. Use cheap hardware . Buy something cheap enough that you don’t care if it is misplaced or broken. Also, don’t put anything personal on the sticks.

2. It will be easier if you are familiar with the tools used to create bootable USB systems. If you feel confident that you will not destroy your own bootloader, it can be faster to use syslinux manually. Once you are happy with one Linux image, copy it to another stick and install syslinux on the stick to make it bootable.

3. Use a distro with more features. If you have sticks that are 1 GB in size, use a large distro. Go for extras like OpenOffice and a nice graphical environment, as well as rescue utilities that will be useful if someone’s computer is broken. Also, maybe stick a some info with a few links on the stick. You’ll need to explain that people need to use a boot menu on a modern computer (usually by pressing F12 at bootup).

4. Make it clear that there’s no hassle. Carry the sticks with you, so that people know that you’re not going to any great effort to give you software. Make it clear that they’re cheap and you don’t mind giving them out.

5. Talking to people is hard, but it’s easy once you get going. If you’ve ever gone doorknocking, you’ll know that after the first few people you talk to, your fear evaporates and you start enjoying yourself in a way. You’re not trying to force anyone to do anything. If they’re not interested, that’s fine.

I’ve sometimes suggested that I could put Linux on other people’s usb sticks. They are understandably reluctant to give away their hardware, that has their data on it that they are afraid to lose. Fear is an emotion, so rational arguments don’t help. By putting your own hardware on the line, it will send a positive message about open source. You believe in it enough to use it on your own hardware. That speaks more powerfully than words.

So, what do you think? Ready to give it a go?