1. A portable status sentry comprising: a portable memory device; an interface adapted for connecting the portable memory device to a computing device; and auto-run instructions, wherein the auto-run instructions are executed by the computing device when the portable memory device is installed in the computing device, wherein the auto-run instructions comprise status instructions, and wherein upon execution of the status instructions the computing device is adapted for: accessing a query network; acquiring status data from a status file accessible to the query network and associated with a monitored device; and processing the status data to produce a status measure relating to a status of the monitored device.