Migo lets you transfer all your PC stuff

Portable computers were invented years ago because trying to lug around a desktop model isn't a pretty picture.

And while there are valiant efforts being made in the area of portable computing these days, you still have to lug some kind of laptop or notebook model around to do everything your desktop PC can do.

Yes, I know that there are some very tiny palm top computers and PDAs out there, but they still don't have the kind of power you get with a basic laptop.

But there may be an alternative. How about using another computer when you get to wherever you're going?

I know what you're thinking. You can't use another computer because all of your stuff would be missing: e-mails, documents, browser bookmarks, passwords, cookies, data files, even the way your desktop looks and feels with your customized wallpaper and icons.

"Your" computer

But consider this. What if you could actually bring all of that stuff along with you, but without the computer? And what if you could instantly put all of that stuff into any other computer in seconds?

If you could somehow instantly deposit all of your stuff and put it exactly the same way it's on your original computer, then you could use it as if it were your own.

But what happens when you're finished? Well, what if you could make all of your stuff instantly vanish without a trace of it on the computer you were just using?

This is what you can do with something called Migo and it's an amazing product.

Migo Software (www.migosoftware.com) is a small program you install on your computer. It comes with a default configuration, but you can tell it exactly what parts of your computer's data to copy and how far back in days you want that copying process to go.

Once you make that determination, Migo will copy everything onto almost any kind of portable memory device, such as a USB flash-memory drive, an iPod, even a PlayStation Portable.

Migo works with a wide variety of Migo-authorized removable media devices that will let you pull this off. Let's use one of those tiny USB flash drives that fit on a keychain as an example.

A typical 14-day envelope can easily fit in a one-gigabyte stick. The initial transfer will probably only take a few minutes. Once done, any updating will be incremental and takes only a few moments to do.

Now that you have everything on your Migo drive, you're free to roam the planet. Go to a library, an Internet cafe or someplace where you can use any computer.

Just plug in your Migo drive into any USB port and watch the possession begin.

Swift change

In seconds, you'll see your computer appear on the screen. Your desktop will look the same, any files or windows you had opened will appear and be in the exact same location. Then continue your work as normal.

When you're finished, remove the drive, and the computer goes back to being what it was. All of your new work will be in the flash drive.

When you do get back to your computer, plug in the flash drive and Migo will update your computer so it looks exactly like the computer you last exorcised.

Now wherever you go, the spirit of your personal computer goes with you. Migo software offers Personal ($29.99) and Professional versions ($49.99) of Migo. Windows only. Check its Web site for more details.

2006, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services