i need a special linux

**keoss** · 16-05-2006, 10:51 AM

hi , i am new to linux , i've just purchased a good book about the subject , but am not yet ready to install it on my system . So , i would like to know if there is any version of linux that can run as a windows programme ( i dont need any GUI or graphical envirenment , i just need to get to practice the basic commands ).thanks

**FoxyMX** · 16-05-2006, 11:08 AM

Use a "Live" version of Linux, eg Knoppix or Simply Mepis which you can run without installing onto your hard drive until you are ready. They are booted from the CD and run until you restart the computer so your Windows installation is not affected at all.

**bob_doe_nz** · 16-05-2006, 11:45 AM

Make sure you have at least 256mb of ram, bare minimum. Some of the newer versions of linux distro's can be a bit of a memory hog

**Dannz** · 16-05-2006, 12:05 PM

Have a look at cygwin.
It enables you to run linux commands in a native windows environment - its a big download but it may be worth it.

**superuser** · 16-05-2006, 01:20 PM

Ubuntu has a good live CD, that gives you the full linux experience without any installation.

Try TM or Google to find a CD supplier.

In saying that, you dont need that much command line knowledge to install a distro like Ubuntu. I recently installed it on my Laptop and after about a 40 minute installation which didnt ask anything harder than what I wanted to name my computer I was back online sufing the web. Even automatically picked up my flatmates shared windows folders.

The main thing you need to learn is how the file system is structured and the essential commands (e.g. how to unpackage and install software).

**Graham L** · 16-05-2006, 02:22 PM

Cygwin is very clever. But installing it is not a good way to learn Linux.

It gives the opportunity of wrecking a Windows installation, too.

Stick to live CDs. You might find one at Dick Smiths (with a choice of two in the same package

Knoppix and Morphix for $5.(check at the bottom of the page for branches with stock). Or an older version (XC4034) , at only a few branches, for $0.80.