Framakey :: En :: Faq

English users: please note that the Framakey.org and the English FramaKey package versions are still under beta stage. You may download the English Beta version of the Framakey by clicking here (92Mo to download; 200Mo installed on USB disk). If you find some typos or translation mistakes, you may edit this page (password is : english ).

Frequently Asked Questions

Liste des questions / Question List

How to install the FramaKey ?
How to use your FramaKey ?
1. 2.1 From the home and start page
2. 2.2 On the Information Page
What is the recommended configuration ?
1. 3.1 Flash Drive.
2. 3.2 Host Computer
Performance
Questions techniques Technical Questions
Software Questions
Other Questions
1. 7.1 I would like to distribute a modified version of FramaKey. Can I do that?

How to install the FramaKey ?

FramaKey is available as a self extracting file, FramaKey.exe

Download the FramaKey.exe file to your computer.
Insert your USB Flash Drive, with at least 200 MB of free space, in a USB port.
Click twice on the exe file.
A window opens requesting decompression location.
Indicate the path for the Flash Drive, this will vary, depending on the particular computer connections.
Wait until all the files have been copied, this may take several minutes, be patient …

When complete, your FramaKey is ready for use !

How to use your FramaKey ?

You must run the start.exe program in the root directory by clicking twice on it’s icon, this will open the FramaKey interface. This is the home and start page for the application.

From the home and start page

Programs can be started by clicking on their icons,
Program details can be obtained by clicking on their names,
Additional Information is obtained by clicking on the Information button located at the lower right corner.
The interface can be closed by clicking on the Close button at the lower right corner without affecting any of the programs currently running.

On the Information Page

Access Articles on programs in the FramaKey,
Access Miscellaneous Articles,
The Information Page can be controlled in various modes; closing all open articles, incremental search extension on available articles, sequential article display and/or activating animations during article display,
The Home Button, lower right, returns to the Home Page,
The Close Button, lower right, allows closure of the interface without affecting any running programs.

What is the recommended configuration ?

Flash Drive.

For adequate memory requirements a Flash Drive USB 2.0 with at least 256 MB.
Trials with USB 1.1 Flash Drives reveal correct but slower functioning.

Host Computer

All applications work with MS Windows XP.
Limitations have been encountered with MS Windows 98.

Performance

The decompression of the FramaKey is very slow. Why ?

The use of a USB 2.0 Flash Drive connected to a USB 2.0 port is recommended. If one or other is USB 1.1 the speed of decompression will be notably affected ( Allow ± 10 minutes in the case of the FramaKey 256 )

Is the use of the applications quick ?

As indicated above, the FramaKey functions in an optimal way with a USB 2.0 Flash Drive connected to a USB 2.0 port, but also there are differences in the speed of data transfer with Flash Drives affecting the speed of FramaKey applications.
The quantity of free RAM memory will also affect the speed of FramaKey applications.
The starting of an application from a USB Flash Drive is notably slower than from a hard disk and is also affected by the USB Version and quantity of free RAM memory available.

Does FramaKey affect my USB Flash Drive ?

A USB Flash Drive degrades slowly with use during reading and writing ; accordingly it is recommended that the ThunderBird anti-spam filter be not activated as this requires additional reading/writing reducing the speed of the application.

Questions techniques Technical Questions

What is a “stealth” application ?

A “stealth” application is an application which leaves an absolute minimum of identifiable traces on the host computer. Thus Scite, VLC and Portable FireFox can be considered as “stealth” applications, in the sense that by default they do not store sensitive information on the hard disk.

How “stealth” is the FramaKey ?

The majority of applications on the FramaKey are “stealth”. However, tests by our users indicate that OpenOffice.org leaves configuration information in “/Document and Settings/YourName/Application Data/OpenOffice.org1.9.xxx” on the host computer. This information is essentially about the configuration of OpenOffice.org (user, position of tool bar, list of recently opened files, etc.). In the event that it appears to be insufficiently secure, the FramaKey Version “Lite” can be used instead; this version uses AbiWord which although being less complete is more “stealth”.

How do I protect my FramaKey from viruses ?

(information from page http://johnhaller.com/jh/mozilla/safe_portable_app-ing.asp )

Use a reputable AntiVirus on you PC and update it on a regular basis;
Scan your PC and your Flash Drive;
If you connect your FramaKey to a computer in which you do not have full confidence, it may infect the applications on your Flash Drive;
If you have used your Flash Drive on a computer of doubtful confidence then check for viruses before using your Flash Drive (The majority of AntiVirus programs allow this by clicking with the right button on the removable drive with your Flash Drive in the Windows Explorer). This way you can avoid infecting another computer by elimination of any possible virus;
Wait until the diode on your Flash Drive has finished flashing, indicating that read/write operations have terminated, before withdrawing your Flash Drive;
Make a backup regularly of the data and applications on your Flash Drive.

Weird : the FireFox on my FramaKey is very similar to the FireFox installed on my computer ?

If FireFox or ThunderBird are being executed at the same time on your computer, they will conflict with the same applications activated from FramaKey ; in order to guarantee your confidentiality it is recommended that these applications be closed on the host computer.

What is there in the FramaKey ?

The organization of FramaKey is based on 2 folders:

“framakey” which contains all the elements of the interface used to start the applications and read the information,
“programs” which contains the open source programs included,

Only these 2 folders may be affected by updates to the FramaKey. Any updates to the FramaKey take this structure into account and any modification will affect subsequent updates to the FramaKey.

It is recommended that your data be stored in the my data folder, but you can organize them differently if you wish.

Software Questions

Are there any particular tips for the FramaKey software ?

ThunderBird
- Consider regular zipping of your email folders to save space;
- For better performance deactivate the anti-spam option and the automatic downloading of emails;
FireFox
- Use the ScrapBook extension to store pages which you want to consult off-line;
CoolPlayer
- Create your own playlists after storing your titles (mp3 or ogg) on your FramaKey

Is it necessary to configure the software in order to use FramaKey ?

The first time you use OpenOffice.org or ThunderBird it is necessary to set the parameters for each application (identification of email account, for example). However most of the software functions without prior configuration. During the first use of ThunderBird with certain configurations it is possible that the application requests “Do you wish to use Mozilla ThunderBird as messenger service by default ?” It is only necessary to tick “Do not show this message in the future” then “No”; in order not to change the messenger service of the host computer.

I have a problem with one of the software programs ?

The primary objective of the FramaKey.org site is the promoting of the FramaKey. If you encounter a problem with the use of a program, you are advised to post (describing exactly the nature of your problem) on the Framasoft forum I would like to inform, I have a question, I have a problem, etc.

Why isn’t there a wide choice of application software with FramaKey ?

Because we have had to make a selection of software and of course this will not suit everyone. In addition not all Open Source software can be directly used on a USB Flash Drive. It is possible to eliminate programs (from the Programs folder of your FramaKey) or to add programs (for example from our Download/ Individual selection of portable applications).

I would like to add a program to my FramaKey. How do I do that ?

If your application will function on a removable storage device and there is sufficient space remaining on your Flash Drive; you can copy the folder of the application into the programs folder of your FramaKey. However the interface menu of FramaKey will not take into account this addition (in future this function will be added to the FramaKey): meanwhile the Windows Explorer must be used to execute the additional application from within the FramaKey programs folder.
If you wish to add an item to your menu you can follow the tutorials by Normand Lamoureux (many thanks) here and here.

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