Knoppix - the Great Linux Advocate [LWN.net]

[This article was contributed by Ladislav Bodnar]

If you had to single out one project that most contributed to attracting Windows users to Linux, which one would it be? Opinions will undoubtedly vary a great deal, but one of the projects that has to be very close to the top is Knoppix, the popular Linux live CD, developed by Klaus Knopper.

Consider this letter written by an excited reader of Langa List, a popular newsletter for Windows users:

I myself am a Knoppix user, after it was handed to me at a LAN party. I was amazed at the ability of this little CD. I soon realized that I was able to get into any machine, quickly, easily. The security measures of NTFS and Windows were no match for Knoppix. Even setting passwords for single files, I was able to print those 'secure' files in minutes. I was able to make many changes to the system, with no passwords or any type of authentication. Very nice. Best of all, when I'm done with the PC, I just shut it down and its normal user never knew I was there, unless I want them to know. This can be a great tool for IT people who need this type of resource. It's also VERY dangerous in the wrong hands. So far, everyone I have showed this OS to has been impressed.

Very few of the long-time LWN readers will get this excited about Knoppix's ability to read files on Windows partitions, or indeed, about its ability to repair a broken Windows installation that refuses to boot. It is not because we don't appreciate this ability - it's just that, in all honesty, we have become accustomed to using Linux this way and many of us carry around a bootable Linux CD for those emergencies that require system repair, irrespective of the operating system.

Why has Knoppix become so popular and successful? The concept of a bootable CD is not new and neither is the content of the Knoppix CD - the software packages provided are nothing but a selection of pre-compiled deb files from Debian's unstable, and occasionally, experimental branches. Few people heard of Knoppix as recently as a year ago, so how come suddenly everybody, even Windows users, talk about Knoppix?

Possibly the greatest advantage of Knoppix, as opposed to similar live CD projects, is its ease of use. Place the CD into the CD-ROM drive and reboot the computer - a few minutes later you will be fully productive in a graphical environment that is fairly easy to navigate even by those who have never used Linux before. Few Linux distributions have been able to match Knoppix's ability to auto-detect and set up hardware during boot. Everything from network cards to printers will be instantly available, at least in the majority of cases.

It goes without saying that if the user's intention is to use Knoppix to read password protected Microsoft Office files, then the user will have to learn how to start the console, navigate a UNIX file system and mount the correct partition. Those are just the first steps, but we all had to start somewhere. The curiosity, together with the realization of how powerful Linux is, might just convince these users to start playing with Linux on a more regular basis and even give it a partition on their hard disks. The shock of learning how awfully inadequate Microsoft file protection features are should be another strong motivator.

Knoppix has become so successful, that new Knoppix-based sub-projects have sprung all over the Internet. One the most comprehensive Knoppix-related resource sites available today is knoppix.net. Its Knoppix Customizations page lists, at the time of writing, a total of 28 customized versions of Knoppix, catering for those who need Knoppix in Hebrew or Norwegian, for those who want a live CD with extensive multimedia support, for those who prefer more educational or medical software, for those who need a mini-Knoppix or a live firewall..., the list goes on. Still cannot find what you need? Then head for the Knoppix Remastering Howto page for instructions how to build your own Knoppix bootable CD.

There is little doubt that Knoppix has become one of the greatest advocates of Linux we have ever seen. At the same time, it is simple to use, practical and useful in emergency situations. If you want to spread the word, carry a few Knoppix CDs in your briefcase and give them away liberally.

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