My Trip to the Land of Linux
One fall weekend my old Windows 98 PC was having trouble with it's NETWORK Card. Even though it appeared to be working, it was unable to connect to the router which prevented access to the Internet which is its primary purpose. Most of its functions have already been moved to the much faster Windows XP PC I own. Browsing the Internet and using instance messenger has become its primary purpose when the newer machine was being used by someone else.I tried all sort of things to get the network card to work. In the end, while running the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows it started working. I don't know if that fix it or not. Besides that is not the purpose of this web page. While trying to figure out if I needed to reinstall Windows 98 to fix the problem, I tried a variety of Linux Live CD's to see if the problem was in the OS or something else. Well none of them worked, lending evidence the problem was with the Network Card.
What I enjoyed about running the Linux Live CD's was I did not need to install the OS. I hate the idea of reinstalling an OS to fix a problem. With these Linux Live CD's, I would never have to install an OS again. Besides including Linux, this Live CD's come with a collection of software that provides all shorts of functionality. You might be asking yourself how you add additional applications or update existing applications to this CD hosted OS. I will be discussing that eventually. It is suffice to say each Live CD addresses this need in its own way.
After a weekend of playing around with a few Linux Distro's using Live CD, I am convinced of their benefits.
- If a new version is released, no upgrade is needed just start using the new CD.
- The CD is portable between most PC's.
- Many of the applications needed are already included on the Live CD.
- Additional applications can be added but their methods differ. Some are installed on the hard drive. Others are added to Live CD by being rebuilding it.
Time to create a Live CD
- Get blank CD-R or CD-RW. CD-RW is recommended it can be reused.
- First find a Linux Live CD ISO image. Here are some sites: 1, 2 For my first attempts, I used Puppy Linux, Damn Small Linux and Knoppix.
- Use BURNCDCC to burn the ISO image onto an empty CD. If the CD is RW you will need to empty it first. BurnCDCC is very simple to use and no install is require just click on the executable.
- Your PC may need to be configured to boot from CD. On older PC's a BIOS setting needs to be changed. On newer PC's a key needs to be pressed at startup. The specific instructions are different for each PC/Laptop.
- Insert Live CD into CD Drive and turn on power to PC.
- Be patient while it is starting up.
My experience by versions
Puppy Linux
Creating and using Puppy Linux has been the most pleasant of all the LIVE CDs I’ve used. Great instructions are available for creating the CD. It is recommended for older hardware. During the initial startup, I needed to select some simple configuration settings and it was ready to go. A default guide provides help with setting up and customizing the environment. Using the provided instructions, I quickly configure the network settings. This startup guide is missing from some other Linux Distro's.Instructions:
Upon booting up Puppy Linux the initial web page is a guide that is very useful. It contains links to other documents and websites that are helpful.Saving Settings:
When exiting, the OS gives you the option of saving your settings on the hard drive as a small file This way next time you start it up you will not need to configure it again. So far this save feature has been the easiest to use between the Linux versions. On Windows XP it might need a partition to save its settings because of it lack of support for its default hard drive type.Installing Applications:
I've successfully installed some applications such as FireFox. It seems many versions of Linux have their own named version of FireFox. I don't know if they are different but they are often older releases.Suggestion:
It would be nice to have a description pup-up for each software that can be installed along with its size.Damn Small Linux
I will be abbreviating this Linux OS to DSL. I believe using swear words it just a sign of laziness and frustration. DSL is neither. The OS boots without a configuration by me which is nice. Everything in it seems to work smoothly.It comes with two Desktops which you can easily switch between the two.
Instructions:
DSL needs some help here. Other than its name and its small size I am not sure what assistance DSL will provide a novice like me. I am an IT profession but when it comes to Linux I am a novice. As all IT professionals know it takes time and experience to learn a new technology. DSL primary documentation source is a wiki that is geared toward the technical and those familiar with DSL.After searching the web, I finally found some documentation geared to windows user.
Saving Settings:
I am not sure how to save the settings. The instructions in the Wiki are lacking.Can't set refresh rate for monitor easily. They recommend a LCD instead.
I found some better instructions for saving settings but it makes me wonder if a partition is needed.
Installing Applications:
Use the icon MyDSL. It has a list of applications (extensions) that can be installed along with a popup description of each.Knoppix
This is the biggest Live CD I have used far. It is very popular. It starts up without you needing to configure anything. Its desktop is similar to the others but somehow feels more user friendly. It is very popular. It starts up without you needing to configure anything. It's desktop is similiar to the others but somehow feels more user friendly.What documentation? I found a guide Knowing Knoppix that has some understandable documentation unfortunately it is spread out across separate articles.
Saving Settings:
To save setting a persistent Knoppix home directory needs to be created on a Flash Drive or separate partition on the hard drive.I am not sure how to save the settings. I might need to create partition. Their guide is missing many details. I found a guide about using a Flash Drive for saving settings. Maybe a partition is the only way to go.
Looks like a need to create a Persistent Disk Image
KMenu->KNOPPIX->Configure->Create a persistent KNOPPIX disk image" to create a disk-image where all such things will be saved.
Here are some tips.
Installing Applications:
Many applications are already installed but more can be added.SLAX
File size is about 200 MB. It seems to lacking some user friendliness. You must remember the command POWEROFF to turn it off.Installing Applications
New applications are added to the image so if you want some software add, you need to add it the live CD so a RW is helpful. I am not sure how to add them at the moment because they are suppose to add to a directory in the ISO imageIt has a list of applications that can be installed along with a popup description of each.
