DistroWatch has a preview of the latest alpha release of Symphony OS. SymphonyOS provides a unique desktop environment that differs greatly from Windows, OS X, Gnome, KDE, or XFCE.
Linux : It’s A Virtual World
Debian-News.net has an article up about VMware, QEMU, and Linux. It includes several mentions of different LiveCDs, along with providing a free download of a Puppy Linux VM.
No more than 20 minutes after I started, I had a fully functioning Puppy VM up and running.
SLAX Standard Edition 5.0.7 is Out!
For the many changes, including upgrades to KDE 3.5 and X.org 7.0, check out the SLAX changelog page. Then go download it!
Gentoo RR4 Linux 2.65.1 Screencast
LinClips.com added a flash screencast of RR4 2.65.1. While the RR4 ISO comes as a LiveDVD, the desktop of this screencast looks different than the default boot, leading me to believe they either changed desktop settings, or installed it for the screencast.
Parsix GNU/Linux – A Gift from Ancient Persia to the world
DebCentral has a review of the Parsix GNU/Linux LiveCD based on Knoppix and Gnome.
Parsix GNU/Linux is a new twist on an old theme. It is one of a number of remixes of the Kanotix/Knoppix line, but with some very interesting differences.
PCLinuxOS gets its own website
DesktopLinux.com is reporting that PCLinuxOS has a new website. See it directly at http://pclinuxos.com.
POV-Ray illustrates complexity of changing licenses
NewsForge talks with Klaus Knopper about how different open source software licenses impact Knoppix derivatives.
Knoppix, one of the distributions specifically permitted to redistribute POV-Ray, doesn’t include the raytracer. Knoppix creator Klaus Knopper said he is concerned that either he, or someone who creates a Knoppix derivative, could run into trouble with the license.
A Techie’s Trusty Seven
The security section of Enterprise IT Planet has an article about seven useful tools for computer security. Coming in at number seven is WHAX.
And finally, every security practitioner should have a live CD of some sort. I prefer WHAX, but there are many, many live CD distros available tailored to specific purposes.
GParted LiveCD
GParted’s 33 MB LiveCD whose only purpose is partitioning is now at versoin 0.1. This makes a nice business card sized utility CD.
Interview: Alan Baghumian, Parsix GNU/Linux
DistroWatch Weekly has an interview with the creator of the Kanotix-based Parsix LiveCD.
Cheat Knoppix 4 to Improve Performance – Part 4. Computer on a Disc and a USB Key
MozillaQuest Magazine has part 4 of their Knoppix performance tweaking series posted.
23 Things to Do With a Thumb Drive
PCWorld.com mentions Damn Small Linux and Puppy Linux in this article about thumb drives.
Cheat Knoppix 4 to Improve Performance Part 3. Advanced Cheating
MozillaQuest Magazine has part 3 of their Cheat Knoppix 4 to Improve Performance article up.
Today, in Part 3, this tutorial shows you how to chain Knoppix cheat codes so that you can use several of them in the same Knoppix session. It also shows you how to find lots more Knoppix cheats.
GhostWriter: A Linux distro for writers
Linux.com has a review of a LiveCD made for writers.
GhostWriter is a live CD that provides a small number of tools for writers of short stories, novels, and screenplays. But GhostWriter can be used by someone authoring works of non-fiction as well. It’s easy to use and has a small footprint. In fact, there’s nothing to install — you run GhostWriter off a CD.
More About the Anonym.OS LiveCD
DapperFlight3 Released
The third “flight” release of Ubuntu Dapper is upon us, and along with a multitude of interface tweaks, there are significant changes to the LiveCD.
The new Live CD is faster and persistent.
Booting from USB
Hddsaver.com has a tutorial on creating a bootable USB device with a Puppy Linux LiveCD.
Booting a computer from your USB flash drive may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually quite easy.
Anonymity on a Disk
Wired News is covering an OpenBSD-based LiveCD aimed at providing a secure desktop and browsing experience to the user.
To many privacy geeks, it’s the holy grail — a totally anonymous and secure computer so easy to use you can hand it to your grandmother and send her off on her own to the local Starbucks.
Grafpup Linux live CD for graphic designers
Linux.com reviews Grafpup, and ends up liking this lightweight LiveCD.
What would you get if you were to combine good graphic programs such as the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), Inkscape, and CinePaint with other open source biggies such as Scribus and Nvu? The answer: Grafpup Linux, a live CD heaven for all graphic designers.
Linux Live CDs: All the Linux with None of the Commitment
Informit.com has a great overview of Linux LiveCDs. It starts by explaining the different uses of LiveCDs, and overviews many of the popular LiveCDs available today.
And if that wasn’t enough, specialized live distros can run from business card-sized CDs, USB thumb drives, and some that are intended as rescue CDs for virus-ridden PCs. There are even live routers and firewalls in case you want to use an older PC as your main connection to the Internet.