Want to taste another computer OS -without- reformatting? GO LIVE!

[Poll_Blind]

  Windows pissed you off lately? Of course it has. Well, for those of you interested in running something other than Windows on your home machines but are afraid or unwilling to install Linux or some other operating system there is a solution. And a fun one, at that.

  For quite some time now, you've had the option to have your cake and eat it too by using a LiveDistro.

From WikiPedia:

LiveDistro is a generic term for an operating system distribution that is executed upon boot, without installation on a hard drive. Typically, it is stored on bootable media such as a CD-ROM (Live CD), DVD (Live DVD), USB Flash Drive, among others.

  This means you download a distro, burn it to CD, reboot your computer (booting from the CD) and- BAM! You're using Linux or some other flavor of *nix without changing anything on your hard drive. The operating system is loaded from CD directly into memory. Pop out the CD, restart your computer and you're right back to the Windows you love to hate.

  Go ahead, this is one example of cheating in a relationship that I support- No one will ever know!

  For those just starting out, I recommend Knoppix. It does a very good job detecting your hardware so your wireless mouse, new video card, monitor- all will likely show up in the OS without a hitch.

  Pretty nifty, eh?

  But it gets better- play around with the OS, run the browser, play your collection of MP3's, view your videos- as you can still read the data Windows stored on the drives. Get bored, frustrated, whatever? Just kick out the CD, reboot, and you're back to Windows.

FrozenTech's LiveCD List which has a much larger of possible distributions ("distros") to download. As I said, Knoppix is a great starter. Also, Mandrake is another good one if you're coming from Windows-only computer experience.

  And best of all- it's FREE. What the hell are you waiting for? :D


PB

[emcguffie]

1. Thank you. NT

[Poll_Blind]

4. You got it! People in my town burn CD's and hand them out during...

...fairs, celebrations, etc. It's a great way to introduce people who might not be so technically-savvy that there are real, legitimate and most-importantly, FREE alternatives to the various rogue's gallery of expensive Microsoft offerings.

PB

[unpossibles]

2. cool

[ReverendDeuce]

3. Or download VMware Player...

Much better than live-CD's. You actually get to run the OS while your normal OS is still running.

If you want to play around even more (installing different OSes) you can download VMware Server for free.

http://www.vmware.com/

[madokie]

5. when I do get brave enough I will try this for some fun

[Poll_Blind]

6. It's just so durned EASY to do...You will be amazed at how quickly...

...your computer can run when it's not bogged down by all the numerous jejune bells and whistles that Microsoft burdens it with.

PB

[madokie]

8. Ok, so the first night I can't sleep I'll give it a try

I tried linux redhat a few years ago but it was too cumbersome for me. The speed part has me wanting to do it now though.
thanks for the link

[Xenotime]

7. The author recommends Knoppix...I, however, suggest you look...

at Ubuntu. I run it and it works very well. It's nice being able to browse websites and not have to worry about spyware and viruses.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Random kick for potential weekend downloaders... n/t

PB

[Poll_Blind]

10. Random kick. n/t

PB

[Poll_Blind]

11. 'nother random kick. n/t

PB