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Bootable Linux Demo Distro - Knoppix

Posted by michael on from the beautiful-work dept.

ts writes "Newsforge has an article about using Linux to recover Windows partitions. The interesting part is not only the article, but also the comment about Knoppix a Live-on-CD distribution of Linux. I just downloaded it and it booted from CD on a Shuttle Spacewalker SS25. AMAZING. Even the audio works. Have any /. users found interesting uses for this distro?" I've been looking for exactly this to use in demonstrations. Perfect.

6 of 212 comments (clear)

  1. No Pix? by oever · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well no, lots of pix. These are the specs of this Debian based distro:

    * Linux-Kernel 2.4.x
    * KDE V3.0.2 as the standard desktop with K Office and the Konqueror WWW-browser konqueror
    * X Multimedia System (xmms) an MPEG-video, MP3, Ogg Vorbis Audio player and xine
    * Internet connection software kppp,pppoeconf (DSL) and isdn-config
    * Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) Version 1.2
    * utilities for data recovery and system repairs, even for other operating systems
    * network and security analysis tools for network administrators
    * OpenOffice(TM), the GPL-developed version of the well-known StarOffice(TM) office suite
    * many programming languages, development tools (including kdevelop) and libraries for developers
    * in total more than 900 installed software packages with over 2000 executable user programs, utilities, and games

    --
    DNA is the ultimate spaghetti code.
  2. Some more "LiveCD" Distros... by Critical_ · · Score: 5, Informative

    Some more linux live cd distros:

    * DemoLinux - http://www.demolinux.org/
    Dedicated to bootable Linux CD distributions.

    * LNX-BBC - http://www.lnx-bbc.org/
    Business Card Sized Open-Source Bootable CD.

    * Mondo Restore/Rescue Utility - http://www.microwerks.net/~hugo/
    Use a live bootable Linux CD for your system backups and recovery.

    * Linux - Live on CD - http://www.ocslink.com/~blunier/
    Linux - Live on CD. Hard disk not required

    * Dyne Bolic - http://lab.dyne.org/DyneBolic/
    Complete GNU/Linux operating system working without the need for any hard-disk.

    * Diskless Nodes - http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Diskless-HOWTO-3.htm l
    Includes information on creating your own live CD.

    * Virtual Linux - http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtual-linux
    Bootable Mandrake Linux distribution with 1.6 gigs worth of tools and toys on a single CD.

    FreeBSD LiveCD -- http://livecd.sourceforge.net/

    NetBSD LiveCD -- http://www.netbsd.org/Changes/#live-cd

  3. The most convincing Linux Evangelizer by rickymoz · · Score: 5, Insightful
    When talking of Linux, a lot of people think it is still like DOS. When I tell them to boot the computer and in the meantime inserted Knoppix, they go like "wow! that's Linux?!?!" Usually the boot takes 3 minutes and I guarantee them I don't change anything on their disk. Telling them that they have 8000 USD value software on this disk and show them things like OpenOffice.org, Mozilla, The GIMP, KOffice, the games, they can't utter a sound.

    Even me, when I discover a new Knoppix CD, I cannot believe my eyes: every latest version is on it and it's running rock solid.

  4. No Big Deal by archnerd · · Score: 5, Informative
    Linux Boot CD are not difficult to write. Here's how you can write your own in a few hours:

    1. Compile the system. There's a fanastic guide at linuxfromscratch.org.
    2. Set the fstab up to place all read-write hierarchies on a tmpfs filesystem. This include tmp, var, and portions of etc. Have copies of the initial state of thse filesystems in a separate directory on the CD and set the bootscripts up to untar them at bootup.
    3. Compile a highly compatible kernel. Basically, enable most things that cannot be compiled as modules and compile all modules.
    4. Use devfs with compatibility links. it cuts down on confusion as to what devices exist.
    5. Create an ISO of the filesystem, being sure to enable all options required for bootable CDs.
    6. Install lilo into the boot sector of the ISO.
    7. Burn the CD.
    8. Reboot and pray.

  5. Re:Mini-CD linux demo distribution by Kredal · · Score: 5, Informative
    This is what you want...

    Linuxcare Bootable Toolbox

    It will fit on one of those oddly cut business card sized CDs, so will of course fit on a 3 inch CD. Enjoy!

    --
    Whoever stated that signature sizes should be limited to one hundred and twenty characters can just go ahead and kiss my
  6. bulging eyes... by 4im · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... is what I got out of the instructor at the MS Active Directory course, when I just booted a Knoppix CD instead of the W2K Server on the harddisk.

    He ended up admitting that it was quite nice, and that indeed he and his colleagues were experimenting with RedHat... I wonder how long they'll remain MS Certified Training Center ;-)