Shop · Offline library
F.O.R.T. USB
All the knowledge you need when the internet is down, on a USB drive. Wikipedia, medical and repair manuals, books and maps, with Project N.O.M.A.D. already installed and ready to boot.
- Works with no internet or signal, forever
- Boots on almost any Windows or Linux PC
- Reads on your phone, tablet or Mac
- Choose your connector: USB-C or USB-A (standard)
What it's for
In a long blackout, a disaster or just out in the wild, the internet is the first thing to go. F.O.R.T. keeps a copy of the most useful knowledge so you can look it up with no network: how to treat a wound, purify water, fix an engine or find your way.
Server mode: the full experience
Boot any PC from the drive and start Project N.O.M.A.D., an open-source offline knowledge server. It opens in the browser with search, library, maps and, on the 512 GB version, an AI assistant that works without internet. The computer's own disk is never touched.
Plus, any phone, tablet or TV with a browser on the same network as that PC can use it at the same time: the whole family browsing the same library.
Library mode: on any device
Plug the drive into an Android phone, a USB-C iPhone or iPad, a Mac or a PC without booting from it. The library uses open formats and opens with the included reader.
The drive includes readers for Windows, macOS and Linux that run without installing anything or going online.
What's inside
Openly licensed content, curated and tested. Content date: November 2026.
| Content | 256 GB · Essential | 512 GB · Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Project N.O.M.A.D. on Ubuntu, ready to boot | ✓ | ✓ |
| English Wikipedia | Text only | With images |
| Spanish Wikipedia, with images | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical encyclopedia (MDWiki) and first aid guides | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wikibooks, Wikivoyage and DIY, cooking and outdoors Q&A | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public domain books (Project Gutenberg) | Selection | Extended |
| Public domain survival manuals | ✓ | ✓ |
| OpenStreetMap maps | Your country | Your continent |
| Local AI assistant, no internet | — | ✓ |
| BESTPREP guides as PDF (EN/ES) and portable readers | ✓ | ✓ |
Tell us your country when you order so we load its maps.
Compatibility
Project N.O.M.A.D. runs on computers with an Intel or AMD processor. Every other device uses library mode.
| Device | Mode | How |
|---|---|---|
| Windows or Linux PC (Intel or AMD) | Server | Boot from the drive with the boot menu key (F12, F11 or Esc, depending on the brand). |
| Intel Mac | Server on many models | Hold the Option key while powering on. If it won't boot, use library mode. |
| Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later) | Library | Open the macOS reader included on the drive. |
| Android phone or tablet | Library | Connect via USB-C (or an OTG adapter) and follow the instructions on the drive to open the library. |
| iPhone 15 or later, USB-C iPad | Library | PDFs open from the Files app. For the full library, follow the instructions on the drive. |
| Any device with a browser | Server, over the network | Join the same Wi-Fi as the PC running F.O.R.T. and open the address shown on screen. |
Specs and pricing
- Connector
- USB-C or USB-A, depending on the version
- Interface
- USB 3.2 or faster (works, more slowly, on USB 2.0 ports)
- Capacity
- 256 GB or 512 GB
- System
- Ubuntu LTS with Project N.O.M.A.D.
- Library format
- Open formats: ZIM, PDF and PMTiles
| Version | SKU | Price | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C · 256 GB · Essential | FORT-C-256 | $65 | Coming soon |
| USB-C · 512 GB · Complete | FORT-C-512 | $99 | Coming soon |
| USB-A (standard) · 256 GB · Essential | FORT-A-256 | $65 | Coming soon |
| USB-A (standard) · 512 GB · Complete | FORT-A-512 | $99 | Coming soon |
Licenses and credits
Project N.O.M.A.D.™ is open-source software licensed under Apache 2.0 and developed by Crosstalk Solutions. F.O.R.T. is an independent BESTPREP product, not affiliated with or endorsed by Crosstalk Solutions. Content comes from open projects (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA; OpenStreetMap, ODbL; public domain works) and is distributed under their licenses, with the corresponding credits included on the drive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need internet to use it?
No. All the content is on the drive and works offline. You only need internet if you want to update the content.
Does booting from the drive erase or change my computer?
No. The system runs from the drive and doesn't modify the computer's disk. Power off, remove the drive and the computer boots as usual.
USB-C or USB-A?
USB-C for modern phones, tablets and laptops. USB-A, the classic rectangular plug, for desktops and older laptops. With a cheap adapter either one works everywhere.
Can it be updated?
Yes. When you're online, Project N.O.M.A.D. can download new versions of Wikipedia and the rest of the library. We recommend doing it once a year.
What if a computer won't boot from USB?
Some work computers block USB booting. In that case, use library mode: the same content opens with the included reader, on that computer or on your phone.
Shipping and returns
Shipping times and costs are shown at checkout. If you buy from the European Union, you have 14 days from delivery to cancel the purchase without giving a reason.