Using AMC on a PC without Linux (with a live-USB key)¶

Main idea¶

AMC is available on different Ubuntu versions.
Therefore, it is possible to create a "live USB key" (in RAM, no hard disk installation) including AMC. Then, we can keep on hand our favorite tool or show it to colleagues who just get Windows on their PC. Lubuntu is perfect for this, because it is lightweight and it permits a classic interface for Windows users.

A ready-to-install example (for a 4GB or more USB key)¶

Such a key is downloadable here:http://files.auto-multiple-choice.net/17/customLubuntu1304.partimage.000 (about 2,5GB should be long!)

/!\ SORRY, BUT IT IS ONLY A FRENCH VERSION /!\

It uses a "persistant mode", so your datas are saved on key when you shut down your PC. You won't find there the latest version of AMC, but it could be usefull or it could be an example to discover what is possible.

How-to build your own key¶

A Linux-PC is used during installation.

• Download this image file
• If possible, verify is md5 sum :

   md5sum customLubuntu1304.partimage.000 | grep f4d89cab16ff9ea91851699b936ca74d 

  
  sould show the you name and footprint of the file.
• Get an empty key with 4GB or more space. If possible, get a fast one.

Be carefull, it is now necessary to understand what you do: you could erase your whole hard disk!
Read all instructions before doing anything...

• With Partimage software (launched from bash), copy this image to USB key. It will create or fill a 4GB partition.
• With Gparted software, get this partition "bootable" (add the "boot" flag).
• (It is possible to enlarge this partition with Gparted, or to add an other partition, if your key is gets more than 4GB free space).
• U(n)mount your key: it is now ready to boot any recent PC (if necessary, modify BIOS options)

Persistant mode allows you new software installation (with standard tools like synaptic). Then, you can add your own langage or keyboard settings. But mind free space is not so large...

Tips for use¶

When booting, you get a choice between:

• launching this custom distribution whithout installation (default) and
• Installing standard Lubuntu on PC.

With default choice, graphic interface is classic and should not disturb any user. AMC is already installed, so is TeXmaker (and even LibreOffice with Dmaths add-on). It generaly works slower than a real intallation, espacially on slow keys or when RAM lacks.

One can add a printer, when one work in a stable environnement. But an other simple solution is to "print a PDF file" with pseudo-printer available. Then, one can copy this file on an other key (see in file browser, keep in mind to u(m)ount it before unplugging), or send it by mail or in the cloud via a web page.

Some LaTeX packages could be missing, and an error would occur if your document uses them. They can be added like on a normal Ubuntu/Linux distribution.