What would be a fun Linux live cd?

[kozak6]

I'm having some computer problems, so I'm thinking it would be fun and interesting to try out a Linux live CD until I can try to fix it.

Keep in mind that I have never used Linux before , so something easier to use might be in order.

What would you guys recommend?

[Ed]

Sabayon runs nicely as a LiveCD. It even includes Nexuiz in the DVD version.

[The mysterious Mr. 4m]

LOL i just installed Sabayon!

But it feels kinda bloated.
+ comes with a full-fledged software suite and Nexuiz
+ advanced effects
- slow, the default install takes long

i've also tried AROS and Puppy Linux recently, both amazingly fast.

AROS is definitely NOT for impatient n0obies like me (besides, i don't think you can run Nexuiz on it, yet), but really fast. And i only tried the VM version!
+ fast
+ interesting mascot
- experimental
- no Nexuiz

Puppy Linux is a bit more newbie-friendly, but i got frustrated with the interface (weird desktop configuration) and getting software for it is confusing. For example: i couldn't run Nexuiz, because of missing libraries and i didn't know where to get them.
+ fast (Opera starts instantaneously, Gimp needs about.... more or less.... 2 seconds.)
+ very customizable
- some "dead ends" (dead links)
- simple at first, later confusing


Then there's the mainstream: *Ubuntu (Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, etc)
meh.... just avoid KDE4


All these OS's / Linux distros were tested on an Acer Aspire 5500 notebook, 1.7 GHz, 1 GB RAM.

[HarryButt]

LinuxMint is the more noob-friendly Ubuntu (yup, that's possible)
Especially if you're coming from Windows-world.
Screenie1
Screenie2
Screenie3

I've heard that Knoppix is a pretty full-loaded LiveDVD, but it hasn't been updated for more than a year now. And that KDE-desktop... Well, it's a matter of taste.

Do you want a full operating system with as many tools as possible running from CD
or do you want it to be as easy to use as possible?
a) Knoppix
b) LinuxMint

[kozak6]

Posted with Puppy Linux.

[The mysterious Mr. 4m]

So, how's it going?

Sabayon doesn't work well for me. The package manager (Spritz) freezes occasionally, screensaver doesn't start, overall app inconsistency (i.e. LILO Config in Control Center while GRUB is installed) and "Java is not available" (wtf? ), but nothing really works on this laptop anymore.

[C.Brutail]

I recommend Ubuntu, tried a few times when I needed a full system asap

I'm not familiar with kubuntu, so Imho the "normal" ubuntu live would be ok for you. In case your hd isn't fried, it's safe to mount the partitions, OR even better: if you have an USB stick that has a few gigs space, you can try to format a partition from it as ext3, so you can put stuff there (yeah, I know USB sticks are not for a lot read/write, but they can be serve as a last resort anyway).

So, here's what you can do with the power of a live CD:

1.: launch up the system from the CD
2.: in case drives aren't fried: mount them, and you can use them as you wish If they are ntfs drives, you should iirc install the ntfs-3g package: in a console, type in:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ntfs-3g

After that, you can mount your old drives (there are a lot readme for manual mounts, it isn't hard, in fact, one of the most easiest tasks).

3.: in case there's a HW problem, I recommend you to format an USB stick for ext3, and pack your stuff there. Why ext3? Because afaik that's the default for *buntu, and ext has the ability give files permissions eg. "run" (fat32 or nzfs can't do that).

4.: if you'd like to play 3D games, you can even install the proper ati or nvidia drivers in live mode! The trick is: once you've installed it from the menu (there's a menu option for that), the system will ask you to restart the pc. But you don't restart the whole system, we're on linux after all . Restart only the graphical interface (X server) with CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE, and voila! you have 3D accelaration too!

Ubuntu uses apt, so any apt related manual will be ok for you for installing new programs (they come in packages, and apt will handle all the stuff for ya). One thing you should be aware of: the system uses your "RAM" as a hard drive, it'll dowload all stuff into there (thy can be listed however just like they were really in your file system). Once it tells you it's full, you should move the downloaded stuff to a permanent place (either the HD, or an USB stick).

[Ed]

The package manager (Spritz) freezes occasionally

Spritz is still in development, hence things are still a little rough. You can still use Portage though.

LILO Config in Control Center while GRUB is installed

That's a standard thing in KDE 3, even if Grub is installed.

[kozak6]

Puppy Linux is pretty ok, I guess. It does seem fairly quick, though. Even my father, who is mostly computer illiterate, commented on how fast it was.

If I had been thinking, I would have gone with a distro that came with Open Office and Firefox instead of Gnumeric and Seamonkey.

It was an interesting change, and I wonder why Linux variants aren't more popular, but I need to get Windows running again .