[TimBlanchard]

can you explain these live cds more please ??

[hillbillybob]

They are the actual OS on a disk. On the fly compression/decompression allows for up to 2 gig on one CD. You get some performance degredation, but that is to be expected when your whole OS is loaded on a CD and then into RAM. Some of the newer ones require a DVD as compared to a CD.

Knoppix is a german distribution, much like SuSE before being acquired by Novell. Knoppix is touted as one of the most popular LiveCD's. Mandriva and SuSE started producting LiveCD's as a means to distribute Linux to people without the commitment of installation. You can even take your OS with you IE...all your favorite programs, while files are saved on a usb stick. Your whole system travels with you while you don't mess up your HS/College's/Friends/etc computer with an installation. no one is the wiser.

That said, you can find the latest editions from www.distrowatch.org

The ISO is going to be like 650 - 700 mb, large download period. Well worth it though.

The Live DVD's obviously require a DVD/burner to create and a DVD rom to use. They come packed with alot more stuff.

Once you get your Live Distro burnt, you will need to make sure the proper optical drive is set to use as a boot device (before the HDD on the local machine) Fire up the Machine, insert the disc, reboot the machine, and follow the onscreen instructions. Stomp around to your hearts content, it will give you an (almost exact) experience as if you had installed it. Some even let you install right there from the Live ISO.

[jakec]

The Linux distro shown in the above Video was not actually a distro just a Linux desktop. that you have to PAY for the "privlege of using (missed that when I posted orginally, got over exited)

Now as for your qurey on Live Cds, The term "live" derives from the fact that it does not reside on a hard drive. Rather, it is "brought to life" upon boot without having to be physically installed onto a hard drive.

A LiveCD (LiveDistro) does not alter the current operating system or files unless the user specifically requests it (ie installs the system, uses it for rescue purposes) . The system returns to its previous state when the LiveDistro is ejected and the computer is rebooted. It does this by placing the files that typically would be stored on a hard drive into temporary memory, such as a ram disk. In fact, a hard drive is not needed at all. However, this does cut down on the RAM available to applications, reducing performance somewhat. At least 256 MB of RAM is recommended, but some LiveDistros do fine with less.

It is often said LiveDistros are a good way to demo or preview an operating system without having to install it to a hard drive.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_CD

I'd also reccomend trying some Live Cds first so you can get a 'feel for Linux'

To dicide WHICH distro I'd recomend trying these Linux distro choosers:

http://eedok.voidofmind.com/linux/chooser.html
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

A few personal reccomendations:

Kubuntu
http://www.kubuntu.org/

PCLinuxOS .92
http://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/metalab/dis...nglish/preview/

This is the distro I use and recommend, Why because it works right out of the box. No need to configure Everything, everything just works. It also comes as a 1 CD install that is a live CD that you can install later if you wish.

Mephis
http://www.mepis.org/

Everything you will ever need on 1 CD. Hardware detection is exelent, as is the feel and look of the distro

OPENSUSE
http://www.opensuse.org/Download

if you want to try somthing that has a windows Feel try Xrandros, good solid distro with great usability: http://www.xandros.com/

Install Guides

Installing Mepis http://www.mepisguides.com/install/...Partitions.html

Dual boot mepis: http://www.mepisguides.com/install/...-and-clear.html

Most pepole on this forum will reccomend Ubuntu 6.06, I've resigned to the fact that ubuntu is in fact popular... so here is an install guide

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

Then i'd reccomend some bedtime reading:

Linux Tutorials: Introduction to Linux, Hands on guide
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/index.html

Ultimate guide for beginners
http://www.linuxlots.com/~jam/

The beginners Linux guide
http://www.linux.ie/newusers/beginners-linux-guide/

Linux online bible
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

Hope this begins your journey to enlightenment,

Jake