OSGeo-Live can be installed on a USB drive. This will boot faster than the DVD.

8GB USB drive, for osgeo-live (with Windows and Mac installers)
4GB USB drive, for osgeo-live-mini (without Windows and Mac installers)
A modern computer which allows booting from USB. (if not, there are alternatives, see http://pendrivelinux.com)
An osgeo-live iso from http://download.osgeo.org/livedvd

Build from Live DVD or USB

System → Administration → Startup Disk Creator

Browse to select the mini iso from your hard drive.
Then choose your USB drive from the list, select "Documents stored in extra space" and set the size slider to its maximum, and click "Make startup disk". This tool wants your USB drive to start with an empty FAT32 partition.

Restart your PC and set your BIOS or Boot Menu to boot from the USB device, save your changes and reboot

Build OSGeo-Live USB from Windows

Download an OSGeo-Live ISO
Install and run the USB Installer
Once the script has finished, restart your PC and set your BIOS or Boot Menu to boot from the USB device, save your changes and reboot

Use the same instructions as building from Live DVD or Live USB. Ubuntu version must be the same or newer than the one OSGeo-Live is built with.
- For OSGeo Live 5.0/5.5 you need Ubuntu 11.04 or newer
- For OSGeo Live 4.0/4.5 you need Ubuntu 10.04 or newer

Download an OSGeo-Live ISO
Install and run one of the following tools (this method does not create a persistence space, so you can't save changes to the Live usb)
- Unetbootin http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
- Multisystem http://www.pendrivelinux.com/multiboot-create-a-multiboot-usb-from-linux/

Most computers are not set to boot from USB by default.
To achieve this, boot your computer, and hit the appropriate key when prompted to go into the BIOS (usually by pressing the <Delete> key or a <Function Key> or similar).
Select to boot from the USB device.
Note, that for some computers you will need to have the USB inserted into the computer in order to select it.
Note also, the USB is often listed under hard drives rather than removable devices.

Reboot computer with new BIOS boot order set.
You should boot up into an Xubuntu system, with Geospatial applications installed.
If you find yourself at a pretty login page simply press return or wait for the countdown to timeout.
Try the many applications from the "GeoSpatial" menu.

Known issues: