Linux distro to learn CLI while keeping XP?

babyphil · 06-07-2004, 04:33 PM

I have SuSE 9.1 pro on my Desktop and love it, but for while I am out of the house (often) I need a small distro to run on top of XP home on my celeron laptop. All I really need is the CLI to better my knowledge. A small download would be preferable.
I am still a newbie, but very serious about linux and am willing to take on challenges.

I have searched Linux.org, but their distro list doesn't seem to up to date, and I couldn't find one that ran on top of Windows.

Suggestions please?

penguin4 · 06-07-2004, 05:07 PM

babyphil; newbie too, from what have read of recommendations best not to
install most linux's before W. asking for disaster leave window first then install linux. recommended.

vectordrake · 06-07-2004, 05:51 PM

Forget about installing and use a cd-based live distro. Go to www.distrowatch.com and pick one out. I'd suggest a quick, but full, one like SLAX, which is based on Slackware. You don't need to work on any of them in GUI mode. When you're done, you can reboot into a Linux-free computer (I don't know why you'd wanna, but you can

)

J.W. · 06-08-2004, 03:42 PM

I agree with vectordrake -- burn a Live CD, then use it to get familiar with Linux. Booting off a Live CD will create a fully functional Linux installation within your system memory, wirthout modifying any physical files on your drive. Remove the CD and your PC will be exactly in the same state that it was previously.

I recommend giving Knoppix a tryout, it is available here: www.linuxiso.org -- J.W.

slakmagik · 06-08-2004, 04:47 PM

In the unlikely event your XP is FAT-formatted, I'd recommend ZipSlack. If not, yeah, go with a LiveCD. Slax for Slack; Knoppix for Debian, I think there's a SuSE, isn't there?

Big Al · 06-08-2004, 04:58 PM

Another option is Cygwin. It's not really a distro, but it does give you a *nix environment on Windows.