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knoppix 6.2 
A new Knoppix has been released in two flavors:
- Microknoppix CD is a fast booting using the LXDE lite windows manager.
- Full Knoppix is a DVD with a choice of using Gnome or KDE window managers.
Knoppix version 6.2 has been completely updated from Debian "Lenny", "Testing" and "Unstable", and uses Linux kernel 2.6.31.6 and xorg 7.4 which supports most computer hardware.
Knoppix is a live CD or DVD meaning it works on all computers that allow CD booting. Knoppix in fact was the one of the first live CDs that appeared about 2003. Knoppix can be installed on Flash drives but is seldom permanently installed on hard drives. A live CD allows you to run Knoppix on Windows computers without fear of destroying data, Nothing is installed on the hard drive, your computer runs solely on the CD. Since Knoppix reads and writes NTFS, it may be used to retrieve personal data from damaged Windows systems (see below).
Over the holidays why not give Knoppix a try? The only cost is a blank CD-R following these steps:
- 1.Download Knoppix 6.2 from one of these mirror sites. Save the single ISO file on your desktop.
- Burning the ISO to disc requires special software such as Roxio, Nero or CDBurner(open source). The result is many folders and files as the ISO is expanded on disc. Slower burn speeds are recommended but fast speed works for me.
- Restart your computer setting the boot sequence for CD/DVD first before the hard drive. Do remember to save this new BIOS configuration before rebooting with the Knoppix disc in place.
- You will see the Knoppix boot screen where you may hit <ENTER> (or just wait a few seconds).
- Notice the rapid hardware detection and finally be welcomed to the desktop displayed left and the words “Initiating startup sequence.” Like Windows you might need to permit wireless access using an icon at bottom right. Programs are selected from the start icon at the bottom left. Knoppix 6.2 contains full OpenOffice 3.1.1, IceWeasel (a.k.a Firefox), Linphone, GIMP, a PDF reader, Mplayer, configuration options and additional utilities.
Click screenshots to view full images.
Shown here is the PCMan file manager. Notice this display shows my personal settings on the internal Windows hard drive. In emergencies this allows us to copy and move files to a flash drive or another hard drive. I've used Knoppix to rescue personal files from damaged Windows computers without knowing secret passwords. Rescuing MyDocuments, email and personal bookmarks from a crashed Windows system makes a Windows reinstall less scary for the user. Other live CDs (Windows and Linux) can do the same functions but Knoppix is a proven tool with a nice software mix on a single CD. I always carry a copy on Knoppix on a memory stick in my emergency rescue bag.
fosssig 2009
It's been a busy year – in 2009, our small faithful monthly FOSS-SIG has reviewed:
January - Open Office 3.x.x
February - Windows Essentials Codec Pack and UNetbootin
March - The Ultimate Laptop Makeover and Revolution OS movie
April - Documentation for Open Source
May - Untangle Open Source Gateway and Intro to BSD
June - XAMPP – making your own webserver w/ PHP & MySql
July - Joomla 1.5.x over XAMPP
August - VNC and UltraVNC
September - Xmarks, LinuxMint-KDE4x, and Mandriva2009-KDE4
October - FreeBSD with Chuck Opperman
Additional information was documented monthly in FOSS Flap.
 FOSS stands for free and open source software. FOSS software is maintained worldwide by volunteers committed to delivering quality products. There is never a charge for FOSS. Monthly FOSS SIG meetings resume in January on the last Thursday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the TBCS Resource Center.
Visit our online website at http://fosssig.com
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you next month inside FOSS Flap.
Stew Bottorf
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© 2009 TBCS and Stew Bottorf
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