Re: K12 KLUG possibility: Demolinux possibilities

["Pat Mc Govern" <gopat@xxxxxxxxx>]

Subject: Re: K12 KLUG possibility: Demolinux possibilities


> > > I got a copy of Demolinux 1.0 from Bruce this week.  I think it has
> > > potiential to bring Linux to the desktop in a hurry!  It allows the
> > > user to boot into a KDE gui without an installation to the hard
> > > drive.  It is extremely easy and allows access to the floppy disk,
> > > many KDE games (14) and applications>

> Demolinux 2.0 is out now, and includes StarOffice 5.1.
> Even though the one time I tried it, Star came up in German.  :-)
> (I may have selected the wrong language on boot, I'm not sure)

There is a 2.1 version of Demolinux in the works that will include a
multi-language version of StarOffice 5.2 and some other bug fixes.  It uses
the Debian distribution of Linux and includes Gnome, KDE and a lot of other
programs.  Having said this, I also like version 1.0 since it is Redhat and
I was able to make it recognize my tulip network card driver.

> Also, since DemoLinux runs off CD, and CD drives are slower
> than hard drives, DemoLinux runs slower than Linux installed
> on a hard drive.
>
There is a Demolinux feature that allows one to install a swap and anchor
file to the hard drive (ext2 or dos).  This allows Demolinux to run somewhat
faster and keep any settings made from previous boots.  I have a 48x cd-rom
and I think the response time is reasonable.

>
> My personal preference is to avoid all emulation and run 100%
> native Linux applications whenever possible.  Remember, in
> addition to the cost of Citrix and/or VMware, you are STILL
> required to purchase the Windows OS, M$ Office, and all the
> other applications you plan on running.  FOR EACH USER.
>
Ditto. Native Linux is best.  Demolinux could be handy if hard drive access
is limited and/or not allowed.  Demolinux is also nice if these rules also
apply at a students home.  A student could write shell scripts, code in
C/C++, perl etc off the Demolinux and save any files to the floppy.
Pat