We should probably start a separate thread for this, but FDE with the latest versions of Ubuntu and Linux Mint (which is based on Ubuntu) is basically a one-lick option during installation. Enter the password twice and it does everything for you. If you put Liberte or Tails on a thumb drive, you would want to encrypt that anyway, otherwise what's the point of not having evidence on the laptop when the evidence is in plain view on the thumb drive?