Code:
Partitioned 2 Gb SanDisk to 1200 Mb fat32, 800 Mb ext2; labeled ext2
    as persistence; echoed "/ union" >> /media/persistence/persistence.conf.
Desktop time was already set to local; changed format to %l:%M %P.
Used external wifi to add b43, GParted & ttf-mscorefonts via Synaptic;
    borrowed Knoppix's repositories for b43 & ttfs.
Added LibreOffice, Leafpad & Terminal to panel; set panel to auto-hide.
    Removed Lock Screen & Minimize Windows from panel; added volume control.
Reduced browser cache limit to 25 Mb; adjusted fonts & underlines.
    Added ChezHoye, changed homepage & added bookmarks.
Changed desktop image to Japanese print, adjusted background color; 
    removed Install Icon from desktop.
Added  synclient TouchpadOff=1 to /etc/X11/Xsession.d/45x11-Synaptic  
    & ok to /etc/rc.local    
Added Count & Channel apps to ~/.bashrc not /etc/profile.
Adjusted terminal font & foreground.  

To do list:
    Needs boot time parameter 'persistence' added for each boot. 
    May need terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp to restart screen.

    With some effort the Debian.Live iso makes a fine LiveUSB with persistence.
The Debian.Live product's persistence approach, although elegantly simple, is
keenly obscured by its documentation. The iso carries Debian's disdain for 'non-free'
wifi drivers to an excruciating extreme. This may be overcome by temporarily applying
Knoppix's 'non-free' repository definitions to Debian.Live's Synaptic. Included 
applications are not the very latest: Linux 3.2, LibreOffice 3.5, IceWeasel 17,
PCManFM 0.9.10, but that may contribute to the very stable and smooth feel of the system.
    
    The basic system is contained in a normally ro compressed form on a squash 
filestem in a fat32 partition; persistence is provided by a non-compacted rw overlay 
in a second ext-formatted partition. There are adequate device assignments such that
numerous non-compact overlays might conceivably be compacted and transferred to 
squashfs devices on the fat32 partition, but that's not currently advertised or developed 
in any way that I know-of. 

    The trick to Debian.Live is as follows: make a second partition of est2, 3 or 4;
label that partition 'persistence'; provide a 'persistence.conf' file on the root (/)
directory of the ext partition; the conf file needs only one line '/ union';
finally, when you boot up with the other partition, include the parameter 'persistence'.
Forget all these quote marks as you apply this elegant process.