Monday, October 12, 2009

Knowing Knoppix

The first guide to Knoppix for the complete beginner

Knoppix is an astoundingly clever product. It runs Linux completely from CD. There is no need to install. It bypasses all the software already installed on your PC or laptop. It automatically detects the hardware in your computer, such as video card, sound card, networking, the lot (subject to suitable hardware). When you've finished using Knoppix, simply restart. Your computer will return to your regular system, and it will behave as if nothing has happened. Knoppix is Free Software and open source under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence (GPL).

Knowing Knoppix is a beginner-friendly book designed to help with these situations:
  • You can't start Windows! Disaster? Possibly not. It is often possible to rescue files from crashed Windows computers, even when Windows cannot be started. This guide takes you step by step through the process.
  • You are curious about Linux, and you want to discover what all the fuss is about.
  • You want a useful guide to help you get started.
This is not a "dummies" book. Instead, it is for smart people who want - or need - to run Knoppix for the very first time.

Reviews

Some of the comments we have received (slightly edited):
  • "Amazingly useful, well written and concise" -- Sam Posten, Adjunct Professor, Monmouth University, New Jersey, USA
  • "Easy and educational" -- Mark Repp, Technology Trainer, Port Huron Area School District, USA
  • "Rocks. For the beginner, well written... flows" -- Knoppix Forums
  • "Hats off... an excellent book" -- Knoppix Forums
  • "Top Pick... a great introduction" -- Tech Support Alert

What's new

8 June 05: Added what to do if a printer is not listed in the Add Printer Wizard, or if it fails to respond to a test page.
8 May 05: Important corrections regarding 1) USB drive compatibility and 2) USB 2.0 support.

Requirements

To run Knoppix in full and follow the instructions in Knowing Knoppix, you need:
  • Intel Pentium compatible PC (350 Mhz or faster is the practical minimum).
  • At least 128 Mb RAM.
  • Bootable CD-ROM drive, or any CD-ROM drive plus 1.44 Mb floppy drive.
  • SVGA compatible graphics card.
  • Serial, PS/2 or USB mouse.

Download

Just as Knoppix is free, so is Knowing Knoppix. It is released under the GNU Free Documentation Licence. You are welcome to copy and redistribute it (subject to certain conditions). You will probably want to download the PDF version. The source archive contains the original documents in OpenOffice.org version 1.1.1 (SXW) format. Knowing Knoppix is designed for off-line reading, preferably printed. It is meant to be read as a companion to your PC or laptop, not as part of it. That is why it is offered in PDF format. Please note that the version of Knoppix covered is 3.3, which is a bit dated now. Version 3.3 was the current version when we started writing the book.

Find out more Knoppix books at below links: