Hmm, I cannot find a folder or file named 'joplin-desktop', nor the path that you specify on my laptop, which I've been running the portable Joplin for a few years now. Are you sure that this is correct? Or is this a remnant of the full installation that was left over?
Searching with WizFile ( a good file search tool BTW), when searching for 'joplin' reveals a set of folders named like this, some with recent dates, indicating recent creation::
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp\XXXXXXXXXXX\resources\app.asar.unpacked\node_modules@joplin\pdf-viewer\node_modules@joplin
None of these folders seem to hold data just Joplin app related stuff. Every other Joplin folder is located on my Veracrypt partition / drive where I put the portable version.
None of them seems to have revealing data, and all, I suspect the folders / app data would be there in the full version as well, along with the data itself parked in the default appdata directory under your profile.
So, I suppose neither is particularly safer than the other as long as you keep the data safe in an encrypted place. And using full disk encryption is a MUST in my book to ensure safety for all my data.
I use the portable version just to make it simple. And to hopefully fly beneath the radar without it being listed as an APP in the Windows APP list.
Workaholic asked 'Why does Joplin need to be unpacked every time I start it?'. This is the way that most portable apps work. There are a few portable app making utilities out there that wrap the FULL version up along with the data it uses into a portable 'package' which is initially unpacked into your desired path of placement during 'installation'. After that the portibalized app unpacks itself when launched and uses the files in a somewhat portable way. Some apps lend themselves completely to this method, other still leave some 'breadcrumbs' of settings or data laying around, and other apps cannot be made portable at all.
I find this start delay to be of little consequence myself, as I have a bunch of stuff launching at start up , a few require logging in, so it's always ready by the time my desktop is ready to work. As always YMMV.
This doesn't seem right, the portable version stores its data in the directory right next to the .exe file. Maybe it's a plugin that creates that folder.
@Workaholic I would like to confirm that I DO have the joplin-desktop file, but I have installed the desktop app (obviously, it's what my original post was about - still hoping to get an answer btw )
I just changed the name of it, with portable Joplin open, no dialogue box telling me something like 'file in use and unable to be modified'. Closed portable Joplin and reopened, the directory joplin-desktop is still with it's modified file name (app didn't create a new folder of that name). I do suspect this folder is from the Desktop version.
@Rootman if you see this,could you give a quick overview of what 'full disk encryption' means in practice. When you boot up, you have to put in your password right at the very beginning I take it, and then assuming you're using SSD, do you have to wait for your hard drive to be unencrypted?
Also, when you talk about Veracrypt, does that mean you have an encrypted partition on the encrypted hard drive? Doesn't that conflict?
@Rootman I just rebooted my ThinkPad into the BIOS, I see there is provision for a Supervisor password, would that be the one? I never had anything to do with BIOS updating, or flashing, or anything like that, but have often wondered about the Supervisor password (although that doesn't automatically mean it's encrypted surely, just locked behind the password? Or is that what it means, I just realised I ran into a brick wall lol ). Err, does activating the Supervisor password equate to encryption? Also do you use closed source or open source encryption software?
Due to some circumstances I won't get in to I use 3 different encryption schemes. I mainly use VeraCrypt, I encrypt ALL my drives / partitions. I keep my OS on teh C: drive and all my data on another drive. I encrypt them all. I also use Bitlocker on some systems and once is a SED (Self Encrypting Disk) that uses hardware to do the encryption. All of these prompt for a password on startup and the boot proceeds just like any non encrypted system works.
Encryption is on the fly, it does not decrypt the drive, it filters the encryption as it's used so everything is immediately (de)encrypted. I have it automatically prompt for the password after I log in. In all systems the OS and DATA drives share a common password and all are unlocked with a single entry of a password.
I take backups of all my systems religiously, and these too are stored on encrypted portable drives and other systems encrypted drives.
The admin password prevents someone from getting into your BIOS to make changes. I use it at my work to prevent users from screwing around with their systems. It is not bullet proof but it offers some basic protection. On your system there may be a setting for a SATA drive password as well. This only allows that drive to boot when the password is entered. It does not encrypt the disk - that is unless your SSD supports SED (Self Encrypting Disk).
I would encourage you to learn more about encryption. Bitlocker is perhaps the easiest to do, there are many who worry that Microsoft keeps a backdoor to it, you can even store the KEY in your MS online account. Veracrypt is my goto product. It is a bit difficult to setup for a beginner. If you have an old laptop laying around I would experiment on it before comiting your main system.
This thread is diverging from it's original subject. I think we had better stop talking about encryption. I mentioned it because even though Portable Joplin might not support KEYCHAIN it can be made 'safe' if you use encryption on you disks.
Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately, I won't get around to replying until today.
That is indeed strange. I have Joplin Portable installed on two machines, on both there is the mentioned subdirectory in the Windows user directory. Maybe I used to have the installer version of Joplin on ONE of the PCs. But even then it would be strange that the later installed portable version of Joplin continues to use this "old" directory. There is the current database and all configuration files. In the portable directory, however, only the actual program files.
Hmm, I don't understand that somehow....
I know these portable programs that consist of only ONE file (mostly meant for a USB stick). When you start them, they are automatically unpacked and then started.
But in my case the complete Joplin program files are already unzipped in the portable folder, as if it was installed via setup. Every time you start Joplin, Joplin.exe is executed. So I don't know what to unpack there?
Besides, it takes only a few seconds to launch.
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). Err, does activating the Supervisor password equate to encryption? Also do you use closed source or open source encryption software?