[Qcwa] Knoppix Linux Bootable CD

[Robert Harvey]

Hello everyone,

    I've run across something interesting for those of you, like me, who
would like to play with Linux but don't want to dual-boot their system
or delete their existing windows partition.  Knoppix (www.knoppix.org)
is a full implementation of Linux which is configured for a bootable CD.

   In a nutshell, you can download the 690 MB image file, burn it to a
700MB CD, and boot off of it into a fully configured, totally
application populated Linux desktop.  It even auto-detects and
configures all your hardware on boot.  One of the best walk-throughs
(and a good explanation) of this is at
http://pcbuyersguide.com/software/system/Review-Knoppix_Linux.html .

   Best of all, this CD is a completely self-contained operating system.
It locks your hard drives (which can be unlocked should you want to save
your settings at some later date) so they are completely protected while
you are in Unix.  The software comes with a windows emulator which will
run a lot of windows programs from your hard drive.  Basically, you get
to play with Linux without worry.

   My Computing experience pretty much followed the Unix/DOS/Windows
evolution, but I am quite enamored of this "Unix on CD" concept.  I can
see it having a lot of application for field day, ARES and general
Amateur Radio use.  The CD, as I said, comes populated with a couple of
gigabytes (the wonders of software compression) programs, a complete
Office suite, a packet sniffer, and terminal client (useful for TNC's).
It runs much smoother and faster than the equivalent windows
installation on my 333 MHz laptop, and just tears on the 2.53GHz
desktop, so I'm convinced it can make usable PC's out of all the old
field day PC's you've given up for dead.

   Even if you don't have a CD burner, I'm sure each club can have
someone download the Image and burn a bunch of CD's for distribution at
the next meeting.  It's pretty interesting and a real new twist for me.
I encourage you to try it.

If you have the ability to boot from CD, and can tolerate the almost
700MB download, give this a try.  You will get a kick out of it, and
will have a complete, workable operating system on CD for the day your
hard drive gives up the ghost.

73, Harv, K2PI / ON9CPI

PS: I just know someone will send a post to the group saying,
essentially that they know so much more about it, have been using Linux
since the Roman Empire, etc.  Please don't.  I'm just passing on
something I think will be useful, and claim no special knowledge other
than that gleaned in 24 hours of playing with the CD.  If you have
something to add, by all means, but the one-upmanship on the reflector
is just too much sometimes.  73.