Linux: See What All the Fuss is About

Sure, you've heard of Linux -- the "open-source" (read: free) operating system that promises much better stability and security than Windows -- but you've probably never laid eyes on it, let alone played with it.

Now you can. Knoppix is a bootable, CD-resident version of the Linux OS. Drop it in your computer's CD drive, reboot, and presto: In a few minutes you'll have a fully usable Linux PC, complete with software, hard-drive access, the works. Best of all, Knoppix doesn't make any changes to your computer; once you take the CD out and reboot again, you'll be back to Windows, safe and sound.



The Knoppix download is actually an ISO file; you need to know how to burn that file to a CD and make it bootable. If you have a program like Nero, it can do the job. If not, try something like Magic ISO Maker. Either way, it's well worth the effort. Knoppix is a really cool way to see what Linux is all about, and it doesn't cost a penny.