Install on USB drive instead of PC?

[ll435]

Hi,
I can't install programs on the networked PC at work for security reasons. However, in my down time I'd like to be able to get used to using Audacity and record some streaming audio playing on the PC. Two questions then please: [1] can I instal and run it off my USB stick to get round the problem and [2] can I record streaming audio as I'm not sure if the software will be working through the sound card.
I'm new to Audacity. It looks great but rather complicated at the moment.
Thanks.
LL

[steve]

can I instal and run it off my USB stick

Yes you can.
Assuming that you will be using Win XP or later, download the .ZIP version from here: http://code.google.com/p/audacity/downl ... p&can=2&q=
Extract the contents of the ZIP archive to your USB stick.
Create a folder called "Portable Settings" (without quotes) in the same directory as the "audacity.exe" file.

To run Audacity, run the "audacity.exe" file (usually you can just double click on that file).
You may get some warnings about audacity.exe being an executable (a program), or that it is not certified by Microsoft.

can I record streaming audio

That depends on the sound card and the sound card drivers. See here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel

[ll435]

Hi,
That's great.
I'll give it a go this evening.
LL

[kozikowski]

can I instal and run it off my USB stick
Yes you can.

Have you personally tried this? I would have said no just based on USB being a half-duplex data system. The same reason you would never run Audacity from an external hard drive (unless it was FireWire), or a network. Too many unexplained delays.

Koz

[steve]

Have you personally tried this? I would have said no just based on USB being a half-duplex data system.

Yes I have and it worked better than I expected (though my expectations were low).

If you go into Preferences and in the "Directories" section, set the "Temporary files directory" to a writeable location on the hard drive, then the performance is (as far as I can tell) the same as using Audacity installed.

[ll435]

Thanks for the info guys still not had time to try it yet. I'll try it soon though. I've had my iPhone in bits half a dozen times whilst replacing a rear cover cracked & battery. The SIM card didn't work but everything else did. I've cracked it now though with a bit of tape & card to make the sim transport make contact with contact mechanism. Phew!!