Posted on 01/25/2004 5:56:35 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at extremetech.com ...
I have used it to boot a PC, mount the laptop drive to a network share and copy all the data.
It's also a quick and dirty way to troubleshoot hardware. If Knoppix boots, then there is nothing wrong with the hardware.
Knoppix finds and configures all the hardware, even on laptops. It is amazing.
In today's Seattle Times Fry's ad, the ECS/Athlon XP 2000 combo is $65. An OEM XP 2000 at Newegg is $62. (crunch a bunch of numbers) Which means the ECS motherboard is worth $3. Three BUCKS!
In operation it is solid as a rock, it's been up the better part of two years. It isn't kiddie stuff like Microsoft, so I've had to learn a lot. I'm using it as a web server and for mysql. I'm developing a Java stock market application which I hope to run as a servelet - turn it on and forget about it kind of thing - so stability is a biggie with me.
I started at version 4.5, there were some tricks getting it upgraded to 4.9 stable, but I got it okay. 5.1 is the latest, and what I'm looking for is the multi-threading in 5.1 matched with mysql.
For my clients, Windows, for myself either FeeBSD or probably SUSE Linux. For hardcore computing - stability, multi-threading, grid computing, etc. - either FreeBSD or Linux I think will be the way to go. Windows big turnoffs - high fees, constant updates, planned obselescence, half-ass security, open ports. I am tired of being jacked around.
K7VTA3 v8
I use it for testing. Since I built it, I've wiped it clean and installed a different system at least three times.
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