Update: The PortableApps.com site appears to be under stress from its slashdot appearance. However, you can still get the Portable OpenOffice package from its Sourceforge site. If you like it, don't forget to visit the PortableApps.com home page and hit the "Make a Donation" button. Useful open-source software should be rewarded!

Portable USB (i.e., "thumb") drives make it convenient to carry your data with you from computer to computer, but what happens when the nearest computer doesn't have the application you need to open your documents?

This is why I love the open-source community: Portableapps.com has just released Portable OpenOffice.org 2.01 — a complete office suite you can run from a USB drive for complete access to both your files and your office apps — anywhere you go.

From the PortableApps.com site:

Portable OpenOffice.org is a full-featured office suite that's compatible with Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, Lotus and other office applications. It's easy-to-use and feature-rich, performing nearly all of the functions you'd expect in an office suite, but at no cost. Learn more about OpenOffice.org…

This is exactly the kind of innovation developers can make when they don't have to worry about selling as many licenses of their work as possible: Suddenly, they're free to create applications that can be used whenever and however one wants to use them. I don't imagine we'll see a portable Microsoft Office suite any time soon.

The company also offers Portable Gaim (for IM anywhere) and Portable Firefox (for take-your-settings/bookmarks/extensions-with-you-anywhere browsing convenience).