A Taste of Linux (Linux Live CD reviews)

ExtremeTech ^ | January 23, 2004 | Jim Lynch

[B Knotts]

The modern PC is a marvel of technology. One of its more useful capabilities is the ability to use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive as a boot disk. Many Linux distros use this feature to launch their installers, but if you can boot off the CD, why can't you run off the CD? In fact, you can. The cool thing about all this is that you don't have to install anything on your computer.

In our other articles this week, we've looked at distros that had to be installed to your hard disk before you could use them. But that's not always necessary--there are Linux versions out there that let you just pop a live CD in, boot your computer, and go. They give you a chance to use Linux without the headache of installing everything. If you're totally unfamiliar with Linux, these offerings are a great way to get a taste of Linux and use some Linux-based applications. If you decide you don't like Linux, just take the CD out, reboot your machine and you'll be back in Windows once more.

Some of these versions aren't for everybody, so read carefully before deciding to play with one. All you'll need to try them out are some recordable CDs, an Internet connection, and a CD burner. You won't even need you credit card--every one of these distributions is free for the downloading.

Note: These are not full-blown reviews. Rather, they are geared toward giving you a sample of what you can expect from each distro, particularly if you are a Linux newcomer who just wants to see what they're like.

[B Knotts]

I thought this might be interesting to people who are kinda interested in trying Linux, but don't want to hassle with installing it.

[B Knotts]

FYI PING

[TomSmedley]

thanks

[FastCoyote]

Thanks, I've been using FreeBSD but need to bang the doors on Linux and I'm out of machines.

[Mean Daddy]

You can download a verion of Knoppix on your computer for free, burn it on CD and have a full fledged OS boot up directly from your CD drive. Features include a browser, office type applications etc.

[erinjohn]

I have downloaded and used knoppix (you can download it from knoppix.org) Copy the downloaded ISO image to a CD-ROM and boot up setting the CD-rom bootable. Works great.

[erinjohn]

I was a day late and dolloar short on the post. Knoopix does work great though.

JTG

[Drango]

I'll try this on the new 'puter I just put together...All the parts from Fry's: an ECS motherboard, 1.6 Duron combo for $49 ~ LOL we're smoking here...

[B Knotts]

I use Knoppix from time to time. Recently, my 1-1/2 year old son managed to freeze up my machine (I think by clobbering it), and I had a horked xfs partition, that mount(8) could not deal with.

I grabbed my Knoppix CD out of the trunk and fixed the problem within a few minutes after remembering that I had it.

Great for laptops, too!

[B Knotts]

Hey...I have a 700 MHz Duron working as a small mail/web server. It's been quite dependable.

[dennisw]

bttt

[steve50]

I tried to install on an old AsusP2B board, no luck. Can't figure out how to force it to boot from CD. Looks like it's cheapo kit time.

[B Knotts]

BTW, here's some Knoppix links:

Knoppix download page

Official Knoppix website (knopper.net)

Knoppix news and forums

[B Knotts]

I did some Googling, and it looks like a number of people are having that same problem with that motherboard.

[PokeyJoe]

ECS motherboard?

ewwwwww? *shudder*

dats scarwy

[B Knotts]

I've never used ECS; I used to buy ABIT, but lately, I've been using MSI with good results for cheapie machines. I had to replace a number of ABIT boards that had bad capacitors. I used Tyan for those.

[steve50]

I did some Googling, and it looks like a number of people are having that same problem with that motherboard.

They don't seem to make much of anything for the old slot 1 boxes anymore. Pretty outdated anyway. Probably better off canabalizing it.

[Drango]

ECS sucks... but the price was right! The K7VTA3 v8 is Fry's hot seller. They have stacks and stacks of 'em. They combo 'em up with a Duron and splatter the ad into the local paper at a cost so low I couldn't say no. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[Agnes Heep]

I used Tyan ....

I've never had a Tyan board I didn't like.

[B Knotts]

Yep. They're decent, if a bit pricey for the budget-minded.