Linux Live?

[Freeze]

I was surfing Slashdot's main page when I saw the article about Linux Live. Anyone care to clue me in to what this is all about? Thanks.

 

[Nothinman]

Someone's maintaining a list of Linux live CDs, Linux Live isn't a product itself. A live CD is one where the entire OS runs from the CD, if you get something like Knoppix and boot from the disc you have a complete Linux installation (Knoppix is based on Debian) with everything from CLI ssh clients up to OpenOffice and the GIMP. If you've never installed Linux out of fear of breaking something a live CD is a nice safe way to get a feel for Linux.

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
Someone's maintaining a list of Linux live CDs, Linux Live isn't a product itself. A live CD is one where the entire OS runs from the CD, if you get something like Knoppix and boot from the disc you have a complete Linux installation (Knoppix is based on Debian) with everything from CLI ssh clients up to OpenOffice and the GIMP. If you've never installed Linux out of fear of breaking something a live CD is a nice safe way to get a feel for Linux.

Someone was telling me about using a USB drive and a linux CD - put the CD in, plug the USB drive in (reasonable size), and all of your volatile data will be stored on it. When you've done, unplug, take the CD, and reboot, and it's as if you've never been there (as far as the original OS was concerned). Is this something similar?

 

[Nothinman]

You only need something like a USB drive if you plan on putting data on it, the Linux live CDs run fine without them.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz

Originally posted by: Nothinman
Someone's maintaining a list of Linux live CDs, Linux Live isn't a product itself. A live CD is one where the entire OS runs from the CD, if you get something like Knoppix and boot from the disc you have a complete Linux installation (Knoppix is based on Debian) with everything from CLI ssh clients up to OpenOffice and the GIMP. If you've never installed Linux out of fear of breaking something a live CD is a nice safe way to get a feel for Linux.

Someone was telling me about using a USB drive and a linux CD - put the CD in, plug the USB drive in (reasonable size), and all of your volatile data will be stored on it. When you've done, unplug, take the CD, and reboot, and it's as if you've never been there (as far as the original OS was concerned). Is this something similar?

Exactly. The "Linux CD" in that case is a live Linux distro. Runs from CD and RAMdisk. The USB drive is just a way to store the data - you can use a network as well, or even the computer's actual HD. Reboot and it's back to normal.

- M4H

 

[igowerf]

I tried Knoppix once but it didn't support my USB wireless adapter.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: igowerf
I tried Knoppix once but it didn't support my USB wireless adapter.

If your USB wireless adapter has a supported chipset, you can change that

 

[mundane]

Thanks for the info. Might be something to look into in the future ...

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: igowerf
I tried Knoppix once but it didn't support my USB wireless adapter.

If your USB wireless adapter has a supported chipset, you can change that

But I'm a Linux n00b. That's why I'm using Knoppix in the first place, so I can't screw anything up.

 

[Freeze]

That's pretty cool stuff there. It's kind of what I figured, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks for the info.

 

[nageov3t]

I use LNX BBC (text-only interface. great for doing repairs on *nix servers that won't load the OS) and MandrakeMove 9.2

if you're looking for a GUI, check out Mandrake. free download at mandrakelinux.com