Recently I've been using this awesome persistent version of Xubuntu on my USB pen drive. It's great for fixing computers, virus scanning, etc.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-xubuntu-904-persistent-install-windows/
It even detected my wireless adapter with no hassles – and the awesome thing is that all your settings are saved to disk!!
I was so happy that I thought I'd try xubuntu as a PHP/MySQL development box…
Installed great, looks good, BUT… OH NO .. mysql can't start anymore… some weird access problem!! argh!!!
I've never had anything like this with Debian before… WTF is going on?!
Anyway, back to Debian for development. Ahhhh…. good old trusty Debian. YAY!!!!