Can the CD programs be installed to an external hard drive?

[SilvaScript]

There are lots of useful programs on the 8Days CD but some are likely only to be used very occasionally - for me, that would mean Scribus, the DTP program, Celestia and Stellarium; nonetheless, it would be nice to have the use of them.

Is it possible to install programs to an external hard drive? I am thinking - currently, just 'thinking' - about getting something like a Western Digital 'Passport' portable hard drive; I don't need to carry it around but I have a comparatively small HDD with this laptop (bought new as a remaindered item). It would be useful to back up my work to a drive like this and keep little-used programs there.

External HDD are much cheaper, at £s per GB, than USB flash drives.

I haven't been able to find the answer to this one on any manufacturer's website.

Does anyone know the answer?

SilvaScript

[SilvaScript]

I think I have found the answer to my own question here: http://ask-leo.com/can_i_install_programs_on_an_external_drive.html

To summarise: though technically possible, it is probably best not to do it. As I am not technically-minded, I will folow that advice.

SilvaScript.

[8olduser]

I think if programs be installed to an external hard drive, it will be very slow.

[toddy]

If there is portable versions of the programs, they would be more suited too a External HDD