Using Knoppix 3.7 is like using any other KDE Linux desktop--except for the fact that you don't (unless you really really want to) touch the hard drive. I had no trouble running 3.7 on an older underpowered notebook (PII 266MHz 192 MB RAM) that had long ago lost its expensive-to-replace (and not worth doing so) hard drive.

In cases where you can't or don't want to touch the hard drive with your OS, Knoppix (and live Linux CDs in general) are invaluable tools. I've often used Knoppix and other various Linux live CDs for simple demonstrations to people of what Linux and open source applications look like. I've also used Linux Live to run on machines that wouldn't or couldn't boot the hard drive and for definitively virus/Trojan/root kit free network scanning and analysis.

Knoppix of course, is not the only Linux live CD out there at this point, as it has spawned countless imitators and variants. Part of the reason for that is the fact that Knoppix itself is relatively easily modified for remastering, so anyone with the time and patience can create their own custom Knoppix version. Though the CD is loaded with many more packages than many users will probably ever use, there are users that are bound to need something that isn't there.

That said, there is something to be said for the real Knoppix deal as created by its creator. In my opinion, the collection of packages included in Knoppix 3.7 is quite adequate for many needs. Sure, Firefox might have been nice, but Mozilla 1.7 is not too shabby either and neither is Konqueror.

Knoppix 3.7 is not a dramatic leap forward for Linux Live technology; rather it is an evolutionary step that further solidifies Knoppix's place at the top of the CD-based OS stack with its extensive hardware detection, stability and extensive application offering.

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