[El Bandit]

I'm putting together my first HTPC and would rather use Live than a Windows install so it gives everyone in my house a more seamless experience. I just have two questions:

Are there are serious disadvantages to using a USB stick? I could put Live on a partition on my media drive (a 2TB 5400rpm 32MB cache, so not the fastest), but USB seems like a handier choice. If it runs well then I'll go for it.

If I use Live, how can I transfer new files on to the system from my Windows 7 PC? I must admit I am totally ignorant about how Linux works.

[rockinthesix]

Are there are serious disadvantages to using a USB stick?

Here's a test I did installing XBMC Live onto a USB stick. [video]

Here's the SAME TEST I did installing XBMC Live onto an SSD. [video]

If I use Live, how can I transfer new files on to the system from my Windows 7 PC?

Also. For transferring files from your windows box to your Live install, I personally recommend installing SAMBA and setting it up as a share on your windows box. Works slick.

[El Bandit]

Hrm. SSD looks damn fast but I'd find using a 30GB drive for a 1GB install or whatever to be pretty wasteful (plus the case I'm looking at can only take 2 HDs and I've already got two media drives, unless there is some fun way to fit an SSD into a 5 1/2 bay). I might leave it turned on permanently to avoid the boot times.