Linux Live CD's

Who needs a Linux "Live" CD? -- You do.

What is a Linux "Live" CD? -- It basically is a bootable CD that contains a version of the Linux operating system. If your pc is able to boot from your CD drive, you have a good chance of being able to use one. (See the Wikipedia for more information about "Live CD's.)

What can you do with a Live CD? Tux.org has a list of 10 things. (Those and some more with my preferences noted instead below...)

• Try Linux without installing it (Ubuntu)
• Use as a portable desktop (MEPIS) or (VectorLinux) or (SLAX)
• Maintain hard drive/recover data (Ultimate Boot CD)
• Install Linux (Overclockix) --(Alvis has this installed on her pc)
• Run Security Response (INSERT)
• Try Linux software (BeatrIX) --(awww...look at the pretty kittys!)
• Reset forgotten Windows passwords (Austrumi)
• Build your own distribution (Damn Small Linux) -- (I do this!)
• Watch/listen to multimedia (dyne:bolic)
• Play games (GamesKnoppix)
• ZEN out (Zen Linux)
• Teach your Kids Educational Stuff (Freeduc)
• Do Forensics on a pc system (Helix) -- (has a windows app side as well...)
• Geographical mapping (GeoMorphix)
• Get a free home entertainment system (KnoppMyth)

All of these are FREE! A broadband connection is best for attempting downloads as sizes of the ISO file can run between 45-800MB. There are lots of good books out on these, my all-time favorite is Knoppix Hacks by O'Reilly Press. It is awesome! and comes with a cd of the Knoppix distribution. Some distributions even support booting a pc from a USB device (assuming your motherboard supports it...)

Once you have downloaded the ISO file, use your preferred cd-burning tool to burn the ISO image to disk (don't burn a copy of the ISO file to the cd, burn the ISO file contents to cd--read your burning software help-file for more info.)

I carry several of the above distributions with my in my sysadmin CD case collection at all times. I pick and choose depending on what I want to accomplish. However, my "daily-use" pick is Damn Small Linux.

Even if you are not ready to take the Linux plunge and switch. These are a great way to find out what all the Linux talk is about, get your feet wet, and do some learning. All without touching your current pc setup's hard-drive configuration!

• side note--I'm not really happy with my current blog font. I will be experimenting for a while with other fonts to decide which I like best. Please be patient!

See you in the Skies!

--Claus