News about the live CD based distribution Knoppix

 Knoppix offers OpenVZ virtualization test drive, May 11, 2007

Using a specially equipped Knoppix Linux 5.5.1 bootable CD, companies looking to see how server virtualization might fit into their IT plans can now run OpenVZ virtualization software instead of having to install and configure the full program.

The new year has brought a new release of the Knoppix live CD. Along with the usual updates to application software, the most noticeable change in version 5.1.1 is the inclusion of the Beryl 3-D desktop with the Emerald theming engine.

This article provides a gentle introduction to how a simple Knoppix configuration can become an indispensable item in a mobile technical toolkit.

Klaus Knopper and his Knoppix team announced the first public release of the Knoppix 5 live CD and DVD on June 2. The Debian-based distribution, which requires no installation of software on the user's hard disk, features a 2.6.17-rc kernel and KDE as the default desktop.

In geek speak; Knoppix is a Linux Live CD. That means it runs the Linux operating system directly from the CD, bypassing the hard drive making it a useful very useful tool.

Japan's Alpha Systems Wednesday released Accelerated Knoppix 1.0 -- an offshoot of the standard Knoppix live CD -- which the company claims is one of the fastest-booting Linux distributions available.

A totally new release of Knoppix was unveiled at LinuxTag 2005, Knoppix 4.0. This is the release that introduces the split between "maxi" DVD and "mini" CD releases. I've tried out the 4.0 DVD and let me tell you, I'm like a kid in a candy store.

With Version 3.9 of the Live CD Linux Knoppix only recently completed, the next one is already in the offing. In time for the event LinuxTag 2005, which will commence this Wednesday in Karlsruhe, the developer Klaus Knopper will be releasing the Version 4.0 of his Linux system, which can be booted and operated directly from CD.

Shortly after releasing version 3.8.2 of the live CD Linux Knoppix, Klaus Knopper has now presented a new version once again: Knoppix 3.9 contains even more updates for the UNIX/Linux desktop KDE and the OpenOffice suite. Version 3.4 of KDE is now included, while beta version 2.0 of OpenOffice is included in Knoppix 3.9.

I gave each of my students a copy of the Knoppix CD. The value of this is tremendous. They can test-drive and learn Linux (especially basic commands) without installing anything on their hard drive.

To me, the solution is simple. Make sure you have a copy of Knoppix handy. Of course, if you can't get to the Internet, this advice won't help ... but for those of you who read and then heeded my July 18th advice entitled "Knoppix - Delightfully Distracting" ... by downloading and then burninating a CD ... you're all set.

technobeast: Comparatively do you see the Linux OS becoming more mainstream in the future. to perhaps rival Windows even on the personal PC's? What is your vision over the OS competition?

KK: Most people and companies that I know are already using GNU/Linux on the personal PCs. There are very few cases where people still rely, for backwards compatibility, on some proprietary software that they had committed themselves to, long ago. It may be just my environment, but I do see GNU/Linux as THE mainstream operating system. It's just a pity that hardware vendors are still forced to deliver their PCs with proprietary software installed. But that will change sooner or later, some markets already offer PCs and Notebooks with GNU/Linux preinstalled. Which is important, because most users nowadays don't want to install and configure anything by themselves, neither Linux nor Windows, they want to buy a PC and start working right away. Most don't even care what software is installed, they just want to write documents and have all hardware working as needed. You can do this with any operating system, so why spend money and a "usage license" FOR proprietary software if you can have an open system, preinstalled and preconfigured, for less? Every operating system and application is dedicated for a specific purpose. For some people, Windows/Word/Excel/... may be the appropriate solution, for others it is the GNU/Linux suite with its office applications. If you have to make a decision, you should decide by what you want to do with the computer, and just do a cost/benefit analysis. I don't think that speaking of a "competition" is useful. Every OS and application has its advantages and disadvantages. Some may find KDE more easy to use than the Windows environment, others may disagree. People should have a choice, and the possibility to decide on their own, that's my opinion.

 View older news this year: Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
 View news from other years: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
 View older news in category Knoppix this year:
 View Knoppix news from other years: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003