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Books about KNOPPIX

• All KNOPPIX books at AMAZON.COM^®
• Books in japanese language with the japanese edition of KNOPPIX from AIST: http://www.socym.co.jp/pages/books_annai/pc_os.html#knoppix

What is KNOPPIX^®?

KNOPPIX is a bootable CD or DVD with a collection of GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and other peripherals. KNOPPIX can be used as a productive Linux desktop, educational CD, rescue system, or adapted and used as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything on a hard disk. Due to on-the-fly decompression, the CD can have up to 2 GB of executable software installed on it. (over 8 GB on the DVD "Maxi" edition).

What software is installed on the KNOPPIX-CD?

The following "Highlights" are available on the download version of this Debian-based (www.debian.org) CD or DVD:

• Linux-Kernel 2.6.x
• KDE V3.x as the standard desktop with K Office and the Konqueror WWW-browser konqueror
• X Multimedia System (xmms) an MPEG-video, MP3, Ogg Vorbis Audio player and xine
• Internet connection software kppp,pppoeconf (DSL) and isdn-config
• Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) Version 2.x
• utilities for data recovery and system repairs, even for other operating systems
• network and security analysis tools for network administrators
• OpenOffice.org, the GPL-developed version of the well-known StarOffice^(TM) office suite
• many programming languages, development tools and libraries for developers
• in total more than 900 installed software packages with over 2000 executable user programs, utilities, and games

What are the minimum system requirements?

• Intel-compatible CPU (i486 or later),
• 32 MB of RAM for text mode, at least 96 MB for graphics mode with KDE (at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended to use the various office products),
• bootable CD-ROM drive, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI),
• standard SVGA-compatible graphics card,
• serial or PS/2 standard mouse or IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse.

How is KNOPPIX started?

To start the CD, set up the BIOS of your computer to boot off the CD, put the CD in the drive, and power up the computer. If your computer doesn't support this option, you have to use a boot disk. You can create this disk from the image in KNOPPIX/boot.img on the CD. With the KNOPPIX-terminalserver (available from version 3.2 and later), KNOPPIX can also be booted over the network from a computer already running the CD.

Where can one get the KNOPPIX-CD and how much does it cost?

Via postal mail	Download from Mirrors
You can order the newest beta versions of the KNOPPIX-CD from various independent vendors and have them sent to you by mail. Click here for a list of vendors	Most of the institutions listed in the KNOPPIX Mirror List have good connections to the German research networks (this is particularly useful for students and educators). They have graciously agreed to set up limited hosting areas for downloading the KNOPPIX ISO images. Click here for the full list.

KNOPPIX Bugtracking, Forums and Offers

An english forum can be found at the KNOPPIX contrib site http://www.knoppix.net/.

Developers and people interested in technical discussions can subscribe to the Knoppix developers' list at debian-knoppix at lists.debian.org.

Of course, it is favourable that beta testers will contribute feedback and bug reports. Detailed information is helpful, especially for problems with graphics cards, sound cards and general hardware detection, so that the hardware in question can be supported by the next release of KNOPPIX.

Adaptations or modifications by KNOPPER.NET of the software packaging / base distribution / system layout for companies (for example) who would like to create a product evaluation or installation CD are not free, of course. Instead, these are priced according to a negotiated contract (see the price list).

What license does the KNOPPIX-CD use?

If not otherwise specified, the software on the CD falls under the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE. Similar to other Open Source licenses, this means that you can copy, modify, redistribute and even resell the CD without restrictions, as long as the recipient receives the same license. The source code of the standard packages on the CD are available from their respective original providers (for example on the FTP servers at Debian, RedHat, Mandrake). Special components such as the KNOPPIX kernel or the automatic hardware detection source code can be downloaded from http://www.knopper.net/download/knoppix/ if not already available in the /usr/src directory on the CD. Individual packages, as specified by the GPL, may fall under another license (for example Netscape). If in doubt, the licenses can be found in the help sections or the DEB-database (dpkg -p package-name) of each software package.

I have a question about KNOPPIX:...

Some of the most frequent questions with answers have been assembled in the KNOPPIX-FAQ. There are some tips and tricks for the boot-command line listed in the KNOPPIX-Cheatcodes (especially for problematic hardware, expert mode, etc.), though this is meant for more advanced users. In the KNOPPIX-Forums at Knoppix.Net (mostly in english language), there are a lot of useful tips and tricks, workarounds for problematic hardware and discussions about current and future features of KNOPPIX. If this still hasn't answered your question, you can get commercial support and help at ed-media's Knoppix hotline.

I like KNOPPIX, can I contribute or donate something to the project?

Of course, patches, improvements and code contributions (as long as they have an Open Source compatible license) are welcome, just use the contact address given at the bottom of the individual KNOPPIX webpage to send them to us. Paying any fees for using KNOPPIX is neither required, nor acceptable in the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE. However, if you do wish to donate money to this or other free software projects of KNOPPER.NET, we now have a web form for this purpose.

Links

A list of KNOPPIX-related projects and derivates, as well as forums and newsgroups can be found in the KNOPPIX link list.

What else is there to be aware of?

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS EXPERIMENTAL SOFTWARE. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. KNOPPER.NET CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FOR DAMAGE TO HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE, LOST DATA, OR OTHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE. IN SOME COUNTRIES THE CRYPTOGRAPHIC SOFTWARE AND OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE CD ARE GOVERNED BY EXPORT REGULATIONS OR SOFTWARE PATENTS, WHICH MAY FORBID DISTRIBUTION OR DOWNLOAD. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS. IF YOU PLAN TO COMMERCIALLY USE OR DISTRIBUTE (AND SELL) THE SOFTWARE, YOU HAVE TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY LICENSES AND PERMISSIONS FROM ALL SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS OF NON-FREE SOFTWARE COMPONENTS, OR REMOVE THESE COMPONENTS BEFORE DISTRIBUTING THE SOFTWARE.