What Flavors of Linux Work Best for You?

Technology News introduces LiveCDs as a way to find the right Linux desktop.

“Linux … lends itself well to users with specific requirements,” said Nate Melby, an instructor at Kaplan University’s School of Information Systems and Technology. The real task is finding a distribution that suits a potential user’s needs. Live CDs that can run the newest Linux versions, running dual-boot software, let consumers use their hardware for multiple purposes, he suggested.

Tip of the Trade: Recovery Is Possible

ServerWatch brings us an introduction to the recovery LiveCD/DVD/USB/CF/PXE/* which goes by Recovery Is Possible or RIPLinuX.

Recovery is Possible (RIP) sounds like a 12-step program, or some kind of self-help regime. RIP is (yet another) specialized Linux rescue distribution. RIP comes in a number of bootable images: CD/DVD, USB key, Compact Flash, PXE netboot, and even a tiny FreeBSD-based image. You can get a version with X windows, or one without.

Tip of the Trade: TestDisk and PhotoRec

Server Watch suggests running a couple of popular data recover tools from a LiveCD or LiveUSB device to rescue data.

My personal favorite way to run TestDisk or PhotoRec is from a bootable Linux CD. They are included on Knoppix, Trinity Rescue Kit and RIPLinux. Virtually all filesystems and partition types are supported as well.

DistroWatch Weekly

DistroWatch Weekly has some news on a new tool used to create LiveCDs for Fedora. This will be replacing Kadischi for future LiveCDs.

Those who enjoy remastering the distribution for their own purposes will be excited to learn about “pungi” and “pilgrim”, two tools that will allow building custom distributions and live CDs/DVDs.

Preparing for Vista

PC Advisor details the steps needed to setup a computer to dual boot Windows XP and Vista. The tool used is the GParted LiveCD.

If you don’t have a partition manager, download an ISO image of the GParted Live CD from gparted.sourceforge.net and burn a CD from it. This is a free partition manager based on Linux and an essential addition to any serious PC user’s toolkit.

Collax Takes Appliance Approach

eWeek is reporting that Collax has released their latest offering in LiveCD form for customers to test.

The installation disk for Collax Business Server is freely downloadable and doubles as a LiveCD, so the product is rather easy to take for a spin.