Don't be afraid

Once in a while I'd like to post a computer-related tip. I have no intention of turning this into a computer blog, nor will this blog be inundated with computer stuff. There are just some things about computers that I feel I have an obligation to share with the world. So anyway....

Has all the talk about Linux (that 'other' operating system) got you curious? Even a tiny bit? You're scared because you know nothing about it. "It's free, so it can't be that good." There is a way to satisfy that curiosity and nothing on your computer will be affected in any way. It's called Knoppix. Knoppix is a 'live CD'. That means you can boot from Knoppix on a CD, it will load itself (slowly, because it's decompressing on the fly) and run instantly on your computer. It won't load onto your hard drive. It won't touch Windows. You boot from this CD, play around, quit, take the CD out, reboot and nobody's the wiser. The best part? It works. Internet connectivity by the time you get to a desktop. Afraid it won't detect all your hardware? Prove the pundits wrong - this thing rocks. It's a 700MB download, so you may want to do that overnight. I'll tell you this much - every person I've introduced to this Knoppix has continued to play with it and is pleasantly surprised by how much stuff is built right in.