Linux Distros for Everyone: Community, Desktop, Hardcore Geek...

July 10, 2007
By

Bruce Byfield

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Browse the full list of Linux distributions, or jump to the category based on the following list: Commercial, Community, Compact, Desktop, Graphics and Music, Hardcore Geek, Hardware Oriented, Live, Education, Philosophically Free, Security, Miscellaneous.

Live Distros

Live distributions are self-contained operating systems that run off a CD, DVD, or -- increasingly -- a USB drive. They provide exceptionally secure computing and rescue tools, as well as an easy way to try out GNU/Linux without getting involved in reconfiguration of hardware. Although nowadays, almost every major distribution seems to be available in a Live version, a few still stand out.

Elive:: Elive is a LiveCD based on Debian that uses the high end Enlightenment window manager, which borders on being a desktop environment in its own right. Elive specializes in multimedia, and advertises itself as a work of art for those capable of appreciating it.

GParted LiveCD: GParted is a graphical partition manager, similar to PartitionMagic. About 50 megabytes in size, it is an ideal tool for setting up disks and partitions.

Knoppix: One of the first Live CDs, Knoppix remains one of the most complete with over 2 gigabytes of compressed hardware on it. Many experienced users keep the latest version around as a rescue CD.

SystemRescueCD: Although still in early development, SystemRescueCD is already a useful recovery tool, loaded with system utilities and booting off a kernel with support for a broad array of both local and network file systems.

Slax:: Descended from Slackware, Slax is a small, exceptionally fast live distribution.