What is the best linux distribution that I can run on a usb flash drive?
Thank you.

Hi

Depends on your preferences and your flash drive size because you can run most distributions from one. Anything from xubuntu for smaller flash drives to fedora and mint for the larger ones.

Steve

I have two flash drives, one is 4gb and the other is 16gb.
What do you suggest based on this situation?

I also need to be able to create a file or directory and save them permanently on the operating system the usb runs.

If you are going to be saving files to the USB then use an Ubuntu based distribution (they seem to work better for that option)

Good Luck,

Steve

P.S Check distrowatch for a list of Ubuntu based disto's. http://www.distrowatch.com/

Ubuntu is nice for that type of stuff, if you are new to Linux stick with that, otherwise you could use Slax the live version of slackware. Its nice and very portable, you could install it on your flashdrive and go from there. Or there is always DSL (Damn Small Linux) It can be run from a 700mb CD. So if youre looking at that I would suggest maybe installing DSL on the 4gb and ubuntu 11.10 or 12.04 on the 16gb.

---------- Post added 11-19-12 at 03:44 PM ----------

Also what are you using now as far as an OS? Because you may need to download some software to make Linux Bootable USB drives

There are a few ways to get most of the modern linux distros running on a usb flash. Almost all of them have a way to save data. I assume you mean on the usb flash. Most can also save on the built in hard drive.

The 4 gig is good for many of the ways at www.pendrivelinux.com and each distro's site for more idea.

The 16G can easily handle any common distro installed natively using an ext2 filesystem and have tons of room left over. I tend to use 8G for many of my flash installs. It gives me about 4G left over on common big distro install.