Datasheet

Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted with Linux

Some Linux LiveCD distributions, such as Ubuntu, allow you to install the

Linux distribution directly from the LiveCD. This enables you to boot with

the CD, test drive the Linux distribution, and then if you like it, install it onto

your hard drive. This feature is extremely handy and user friendly.

We use the Ubuntu LiveCD distribution in this book to demonstrate using

LiveCDs.

As with all good things, Linux LiveCDs have a few drawbacks. Because you

access everything from the CD, applications run more slowly, especially if

you’re using older, slower computers and CD drives. Also, because you can’t

write to the CD, any changes you make to the Linux system will be gone the

next time you reboot.

But advances are being made in the Linux LiveCD world that help to solve

some of these problems:

✓ Copying Linux system files from the CD to memory to run faster

✓ Copying system files to a file on the hard drive to save them

✓ Storing system settings on a USB flash drive

✓ Storing user settings on a USB flash drive

Some Linux LiveCDs, such as Puppy Linux, are designed with a minimum

number of Linux system files; they’re copied directly into memory when the

CD boots — and you can remove the CD from the computer as soon as Linux

is done booting. Not only does this make your applications run much faster

(because applications run faster in computer memory), it frees up your CD

tray so you can use it for ripping audio CDs or playing video DVDs from the

software included.

Specialized Linux distributions

Over the past few years, a new subgroup of Linux distributions has started to

appear. These are typically based on one of the core distributions, but contain

only a subset of applications that would make sense for a specific area of use.

Besides providing specialized software (for example, bundles of office prod-

ucts for business users), customized Linux distributions also attempt to help

beginning Linux users by auto-detecting and auto-configuring common hard-

ware devices. This makes installing Linux a much more enjoyable process.