Live CD should allow option for apt-get install to install to USB Flash drives to save RAM, and run programs from there

Registered by Tony Yarusso

It should be possible for a person with only Windows or another non-Linux OS on their machine to boot and run an Ubuntu Live CD that would allow them to use apt-get install to try out available programs, but in a way that doesn't waste all of their RAM with the programs. They should be able to install as many as they like with only the running of them limited by RAM space available, not the installation and storage of configuration files. This could be done using a Flash USB drive to store what apt downloads and run the programs from there as desired. Therefore, the installation of programs would be limited only by the size of the Flash drive. It should at least keep the programs (or libs, etc; anything apt-downloadable) on the drive for the Live session, but it would be even better if those could then reside on the drive in such a way that if the drive were connected to that computer or another during another Live session those programs would be usable as well. Since the target population of such capability is people who are considering switching to Ubuntu/Linux from another OS, probably for the first time, this should involve as little hassle to set up/configure, and probably involve graphical tools to do so. Rumor has it other distros' lives can do this, but not Ubuntu's right now.

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Not started
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Priority:
Undefined
Drafter:
None
Direction:
Needs approval
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Definition:
New
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None
Implementation:
Unknown
Milestone target:
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