Tried lots of em and Sidux rules!!! If you haven't tried it you need to.

I have never understood the enthusiasm for live CD's in the Linux community; don't yall have no hard drives? / don't y'all run stable operating systems that don't need to be recovered?

A live CD is a few different things with a few different appeals:

If you want to test your hardware with a certain version of Linux.

Troubleshoot a network with a customized Live Disk for such a task.
Pentesting a network from an internal system, even as simple as testing a terminal for a BIOS password and if the boot from CD option is disabled.

A portable, personal system that can be coupled with a USB drive so you always have your own system to work with no matter where you are.

Various other reasons that could be listed here.

I voted SimplyMepis although I've always installed Mepis properly and hardly ever used it Live CD.

The Live CD(DVD) I am using at the moment is (I believe now defunct...) Elpicx 2.0.

gparted live is worthy distro,
still i voted slax as it a perfect base for a live more special distro
And my personal favorite :-)

Primarily use Linux Mint (derivative of Ubuntu/Debian). I try the live distro's that come monthly with Linux Format.

[hr]registered Linux user #412308

Here are just a FEW reasons to run a live CD, and Sidux in particular. Of course there are many more reasons these are just off of the top of my head.

1. test how hardware works on a computer
2. let someone know quickly with a Windows installed computer that doesnt work if their computer is o.k. and their operating system has Trojans Viruses and Spyware (oh my)
3. can reset passwords when you lose your password
4. can gain root prevlidges on a machine that you don't know the root password
5. can verify if system has hardware or software problems
6. dont need to install to demonstrate the joy of Sidux
7. test new version of software without installing on harddrive
8. using for a backup in case of harddrive failure
9. having an operating system for a computer that wont boot on a harddrive (defective motherboard)
10. to use as a secure server without a harddrive where private information isn't jepordized (also makes a less attractive target)
11. use as a learning tool
12. after building a new machine to have it up and running in under a minute
13. more secure operating system (you know it hasnt been tampered with) because it is read only
14. traveling across borders of unfree countrys and having an operating system in your non-harddrive laptop that cannot be probed by the intrusive government authorities
15. quick tool for partitioning a harddrive
16. secure communication in different environments (disconnect harddrive for maximum security)
17. using someone elses computer that doesn't want their system altered
18. hardware detection
19. easy to use (knowledge not needed to install)
20. cutting edge software, again I'm speaking of Sidux
21. testing a printer in the field without installing software
22. children playing games on parents computer without their knowledge
23. sharing files remotely and not leaving a log
24. it just works

I hope that sheds some light on why some of us are enthusiastic about live cds and my enthusiasm for Sidux (simply the best).

voted sidux for a live CD (exactly, not the best choice as an installed one), it is fast, stable, configured me everything and it has a lot of helpful tools. oh, i used the xfce flavor

Don't forget:
sidux is sidux not Sidux.

and yes it is an excellent distro.

sorry, i'll edit...

I can't seem to find OpenSUSE live...

SLAX is my choice. It runs from USB and it's dead easy to write your own modules to extend functionality.

Fedora

There are two kinks of "live versions"

Live versions for large distributions are good showcases for demonstration purposes.

But there are also real "live distributions" that are usable on a day to day basis from a portable media: Puppy, DSL, Slax, etc.

I voted Puppy as I think it strikes the right balance between usability, performance and size.

And yes, I use Puppy as a live OS, I don't have it installed. I mainly use it of my USB or the CD directly.

Yes, yes and yes to your questions but I also like:

- Having my OS with me wherever I go? In any computer along with my data.
- Being able to showcase linux impromptu.
- Help someone else fix their unstable OS and maybe convince them of the benefits of Free software.