Let's get in the holiday spirit, Linux style. Today I'll show you how you can give the gift of Linux, specifically Knoppix, an easy-to-use Linux distribution that'll impress your family and friends.

Knoppix is a "live-CD" Linux distribution. When you download an ISO image of the operating system from the Knoppix website, you burn it to a CD. The Knoppix CD that you just created contains a live filesystem. You don't have to install Knoppix on your computer to use it; the operating system runs from the CD.

This handy feature lets you (and your friends and family) try Linux without doing a thing to your PC. It's a safe, easy way to experiment with Linux and to see if it's for you.

Knoppix niceties

How does Knoppix boot from the CD? During startup, Knoppix performs what I call a "three-card monte."

1. Knoppix boots with enough of an OS to uncompress itself.
2. Knoppix then (sort of) remounts the CD through this compressed volume.
3. On the compressed volume is the system and applications software.

To learn more, read the Knoppix FAQ.

Here are other reasons why Knoppix is exceptional:

• During the boot process Knoppix automatically detects and sets up the networking, the display technology, the sound card, and other devices.
• Knoppix uses the KDE desktop.
• Two multimedia applications are preinstalled: XMMS for playing MP3s and Xine for playing DVDs.
• It comes with The Gimp for image editing.
• For business applications Knoppix is bundled with the OpenOffice.org productivity suite.
  

There are many other applications, as well as games. We'll touch on some of them during the show.

When your friends and relatives are wondering why your laptop looks different and cooler than theirs this holiday season, pass them a copy of Knoppix. They can discover Linux for themselves, easily.

Chris DiBona is the director of special projects for OSDN.