winPenPack Flash 2GB

This collection of apps pulls together more than 100 useful shareware applications designed for portable computing. Downloading the install package is unusually slow, but installation speed is quick. The 740MB installed package includes two methods to open programs: a very handy tool tray Start menu and the same list as a simple dialog window. Both menus logically categorize the apps into Graphics, Internet, Multimedia, Security, System Utilities, Office, and Utilities.

The good news is this group of apps includes software for most every need. The bad news is the programs are of various qualities and usefulness. The worst news is they're not all freeware. If you plan to hand this suite to employees, then you'll have to disable 12 free for personal-use-only apps. There is a menu item to uninstall the full package, but no easy way to delete select programs.

Most of the applications are good quality. They perform needed functions with a minimum of wasted effort. Only a few of the programs will be used daily. The rest fit niche needs or stand by for the very occasional use. There is a little fat in the collection. With OpenOffice in the list, Abiword and Gnumeric could have been skipped. There also isn't a need for three calendar programs.

This suite can be installed to a hard-dive directory for those who prefer standalone programs. There isn't a perfect collection of pen drive apps, but this suite will go a long way toward satisfying most users.