ICT 9

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING

Name: _________________________________________ Level: _______________
Section: _________________________________________ Date: _______________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Carrying Out Installation of Portable Applications in
Accordance with Software User Guide and Software
License

Background Information for Learners:

After reading this Learning Activity Sheet, YOU MUST be able to carry out
installation of portable application in accordance with software user guide and
software license.
Portable Application
A portable application (portable app), sometimes also called standalone, is
a program designed to read and write its configuration settings into an accessible
folder in the computer, usually in the folder where the portable application can be
found. This makes it easier to transfer the program with the user's preferences and data
between different computers. A program that does not have any configuration options
can also be a portable application.
Portable applications can be stored on any data storage device, including
internal mass storage, a file share, cloud storage or external storage such as USB
drives and floppy disks—storing its program files and any configuration information
and data on the storage medium alone. If no configuration information is required a
portable program can be run from read-only storage such as CD-ROMs and DVD-
ROMs. Some applications are available in both installable and portable versions.
There are a few different reasons you might want to use a portable app, which
is software that can run on a computer without being installed.
First, if you often switch back and forth between your work and home
computer, you can transfer a portable app via USB flash device, portable hard drive,
or the cloud from one computer to another. This enables you to work on projects from
different devices at your leisure.
Second, the portable app leaves no trace when you remove it, making it handy
when you are using a public computer but do not want information stored there long-
term. Plus, you can use a portable app on a PC with restricted user permissions, so you
will have no problem getting your work done anywhere.

55
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.
 And, lastly, installed programs take up space on your computer, which could
potentially cause it to run slower. By using portable apps, you’re clearing up space on
your computer and enabling every bit of your downloaded software to run faster.
Creating a portable application using Winrar
The example application I’m going to make portable is Audacity, an open source
audio editing program. You can download your own file or follow along using Audacity
(recommended for your first time) before you try this method on your own applications.

Step 1: Download the application setup file

If you are following along, download the Audacity installation file. Make sure this
download is relatively isolated or things will get confusing later.

Step 2: Download Universal Extractor and WinRAR

Download Universal Extractor and a program such as WinRAR. Install both
programs–we need both to make this work. Make sure you allow both programs to associate
with their respective file-types and restart the computer if prompted–better safe than sorry.
I did not need to restart, but it could not hurt.
Step 3: UniExtract the Setup file
Right click your downloaded setup file (in my case, it’s Audacity) and click
“UniExtract here”. Go ahead and specify a folder that you would like to extract the setup
file to. A folder will be created with the extracted files inside. Open up that folder for the
next step.

Step 4: Find the EXE file that runs the program

In that extracted folder, look for the .exe file that runs the program. It’s pretty easy
to spot and usually has the same name as the program you’re trying to install. For instance,
in my case, the .exe is named “audacity.exe”. Double click the file and verify that it runs the
program successfully.

56
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.
Step 5: Pack all the files into an archive
Highlight every file in that folder, right click on them, and click “Add to archive” in
the contextual menu.

In the resulting dialogue box, name your archive “Audacity Portable” or whatever
you prefer. Under compression method, select “Best”, and be sure to check “Create SFX
archive”.

Next, click the ‘Advanced’ tab and click “SFX Options…”. In “Run after
extraction” field, input the name of the .exe file that you located in Step 4. In my case, the
name was “audacity.exe”.

57
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.
 Head on over to the ‘Modes’ tab and select “Unpack to temporary folder” and “Hide
all”

Lastly, go to the ‘Update’ tab and select “Overwrite all files”. Now go ahead and hit
OK, and watch WinRAR generate an application file.

Step 6: Copy the file to your USB drive

This step is pretty self-explanatory. Drag the application to your USB drive
(wherever you want it to be) and then give it a test run! Double click the application to run
it–on any Windows machine! This version of Audacity is Windows only.

Different Portable Apps

Portable Apps for Chrome
1. Google Chrome Portable (Web Browser)
If you use Chrome already, the portable version is identical -- it links to your
Google account, offers bookmarks, and supports extensions. Plus, Chrome offers built-
in malware protection and auto-updates, so it’s a secure choice for browsing the web,
checking emails, or anything else you might need to do.

Portable Apps for Firefox

2. Mozilla Firefox Portable (Web Browser)
Mozilla Firefox Portable is identical in function to its non-portable alternative.
The portable app employs pop-up blocking and automatic updates, so it’s secure. Plus,
Firefox Portable ensures your bookmarks and extensions are saved, so wherever you
take your portable app, you take those with you.

Portable Apps for Linux

3. LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio) Portable (Media Player)
Music creation and production software takes up a lot of hard drive space --
LMMS is the portable alternative, allowing you to create melodies and beats, mix
sounds, and edit and add effects to your samples. It also offers instrument and effect
plugins. LMMS is open source and compatible with many standards, including
SoundFont2, VST(i), LADSPA, GUS Patches, and MIDI.

58
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.
4. Apache OpenOffice Portable (Office Suite)
Apache OpenOffice app, which is also available for Windows, is one of the
most impressive alternatives to the Office suite, offering a word processor, spreadsheet,
presentation tool, and more. It supports many different languages including Chinese,
French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Best of all, it’s free, so you save
money by using it instead of the Office alternative.
5. Stickies Portable (Stickie Notes)
I’m willing to bet you already know the usefulness of sticky notes, either virtual
or physical -- when you need a quick reminder or to jot down some random thoughts,
they can’t be beat. The Portable version supplies sticky notes that can store text and
images, and you can attach a sticky note to a website or document so you can minimize
them until you need it.
Portable Apps for Mac
6. VLC Media Player Portable (Media Player)
VLC is one of the most popular media players around, largely due to its ability
to play almost any audio or video format, including WMV, MPEG-1, DivX, ogg, as
well as DVDs. Since it can handle files from almost any location, including local drives,
network storage, and streams, it’s a good idea to download the portable app for any
time you’re having trouble displaying an audio or video file on your computer. This
app is also available for Windows.
7. XMind (Mindmapping Tool)
XMind offers a variety of helpful productivity and decision-making tools for
mindmapping and diagramming, including organizational charts, tree charts, and logic
charts. Along with brainstorming templates, XMind also lets you create business charts
and presentations. It has an intuitive interface and provides easy-to-use templates.
8. Gimp (Photo Editor)
One of the most comparable alternatives to Photoshop, Gimp provides an
impressive array of photo-editing tools. Since editing and exporting images takes up a
lot of storage space, you might opt for Gimp’s portable app version to edit your photos
-- plus, it’s free. You can use it to create new designs using the paint program, or simply
convert image formats. It’s also available for Windows.
9. Inkscape (Vectors Graphic Editor)
Inkscape is essentially identical in function to Adobe Illustrator, and is an
impressive free alternative. Inkscape portable offers advanced features including alpha
blending, markers, and trace bitmaps, and has an intuitive interface. If you’re a
freelance designer, it’s not a bad idea to carry Inkscape portable around on a USB, so
you’ve got the tools for for vector graphics, creating illustrations, charts, and logos at
your disposal at all times.
Portable Apps for Windows
10. LibreOffice Portable (Office Suite)
LibreOffice, a notable Office alternative, offers many of the same features as
Office including a word processor, spreadsheets, presentations, vector drawing, and
databases. It performs most of the necessary functions you’d require from Office, but
it’s free and you can carry it around with you on an external drive or via the cloud. It
supports over ten languages.

59
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.
11. CCleaner Portable (Software Cleaner)
It seems contradictory to download a large software file just to clear up space
on your computer, so it makes sense you’d use CCleaner’s portable version to clean up
your files and ensure your computer’s protected from viruses. Along with clearing up
space, CCleaner cleans out cookies and files that could put your privacy at risk.
12. Foobar2000 (Audio Player)
Foobar2000 is a media player that supports most popular audio formats, and lets you
rip audio CDs, create playlists, and play natively from within the app. It also touts an
easily customizable user interface with advanced tagging capabilities and customizable
keyboard shortcuts, allowing you to customize your user experience more than you
could with iTunes or Spotify.
13. Geek Uninstaller (Software Cleaner)
If you uninstall something using Windows' add/remove button, it isn’t
completely eliminated from your computer -- there are still junk files or folders left
behind. Geek Uninstaller permanently rids your computer of unwanted files, including
any unintentional residue left over. The app also offers a “Force removal” button for
difficult-to-remove programs. Plus, since it’s portable, it doesn't contribute to clutter.

Learning Competency with Code: Prepare Installer. (TLE_IACSS9-12ICC_If-j-29)

➢ Carry out installation of portable applications in accordance with software
user guide and software license.
Activity 1
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on the space provided.
____ 1. If you’re a freelance designer, this portable software tools for vector
graphics, creating illustrations, charts, and logos is called
a. Gimp b. Inkscape
c. Stickies d. Apache open office
____ 2. If you want to use a word processor, spreadsheets, presentations, vector
drawing, and databases, what portable software you need to use?
a. Inkscape b. Foobar2000
c. Gimp d. Apache open office
____ 3. This is a secure choice for browsing the web, checking emails, or anything
else you might need to do, what type of web browser you will use?
a. Google Chrome b. Linux
c. LLMC d. Apache open office
____ 4. If you want to create business charts and presentations. It has an intuitive
interface and provides easy-to-use templates, what appropriate portable
application you use?
a. Apache open office b. Google Chrome
c. Inkscape d. XMind
_____ 5. This portable application software supports most popular audio formats,
and lets you rip audio CDs, create playlists, and play natively from within
the app.
a. VLC Media player b. Xmind
c. Foobar2000 d. Gimp
60
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.
Activity 2
Directions. Arrange the steps in creating a portable application using
motherboard. Write number 1 before the sentence which do you think the first
step and so on.

______ 1. Download Universal Extractor and WinRAR

______ 2. Find the EXE file that runs the program
______ 3. Copy the file to your USB drive
______ 4. Download the application setup file
______ 5. Uni Extract the Setup file
______ 6. Pack all the files into an archive

Reflection:
What have I learned in this activity.
1. I have learned that _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

2. What are some issues or questions you would like to explore further?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

References:
1. Competency-Based Learning Module for Computer Systems Servicing NCII
2. Technical Education and Skill Development Authority Training Regulation for
Computer Systems Servicing NCII
3. Curriculum Guide for Information and Communication Technology – Computer
Systems Servicing NCII s. 2016
4. Learning Resource Portal - lrmds.deped.gov.ph
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_application
6. www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-portable-app-flash-drive
7. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/portable-apps
61
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene protocols at all times.