Which one? its for a friend, he has no OS (doesnt want to pay $400 for windows and not sure if linux is right for him) Submit your opinion, and please dont give biased answers

Why don't you try this site:
http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=cd

Try one of the main distros and see how your friend likes it before installing. I have used knoppix and slax, both are good live cd distros.

My advice...: Try 'em both!

They can both be downloaded for free, or purchased for a few dollars. Heck, let me know and I can send you a copy of both!

They are both stable, full-featured live CD distros. Knoppix is Debian based, MandrakeMove is obviously Mandrake 9.2 based.

They both run KDE, Konqueror, and the OpenOffice.org office suite. There are differences of course, and a lot of it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

MMove is designed to be run with a USB Key to save files and prefs, and you can also remove the boot CD so you can pop in other CD's (if you want to listen to music, etc...).

You can create a "persistent home" for Knoppix on the HD to save files & prefs to the HD... (It's no fun to lose all prefs, like 'net setup, with either distro...!)

Check out some reviews here at linuxquestions.org:
MMove
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...php?product=61

Knoppix
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...php?product=58

For more info:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mandrakemove
http://images.mandrakesoft.com/mdkso...E-EN-light.pdf
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
http://www.knoppix.net/

Check 'em out!

I just picked up a new Mandrake Move CD (haven't actually received it yet), and if I like the distro I think I might start using it full time. Does anyone know if you can install off of the Move CD? I don't have a working burner now (long story) so I can't just download a burn an install CD. Does nayone know fit his will work, or if I need a different dist to install.

Move is designed to be a live CD, whereas the full version includes 3 (instead of 1) CD.

You might be able to dump the contents of the CD onto your HD, but IMHO you're better off just spending US$6 on ebay for 9.2 download edition, or about $7.50 from edmunds-enterprises.com... You'll be able to get a lot more software included, too!

I paid for the 9.2 PowerPack thru cheaplinuxcds.com and got 'em for about $11...

Enjoy!

Try PCLinuxOS instead of mandrakemove. They are both based upon mandrake 9.2, but PCLOS seems to be a bit more mature. ...which is why you should go with knoppix, anyway.

Oh, By the way, im also trying to get my dad interested in linux too! and i ran Mandrake move on his machine and it didnt detect his Dlink wireless network card. any Live CDs good for this?

KNOPPIX IS THE BEST if you are new to Linux and really don't want to go on an apeshit scavenger hunt discovering the right compatibility with your hardware that won't accept an install such as certain RAID SATA harddrives.

I've been using Knoppix quite a lot recently. I went on the net and compared Mandrake Move and Knoppix - I found Knoppix to be a lot better for the simple fact it comes with more software than Mandrake Move seems to.

Also you're able to install Knoppix onto your hard-drive if the person decides to, as far as I'm aware. I don't know about Mandrake Move.
I think you should try them both if you can. I got Knoppix 3.2 off a local computer store for free - I simply had to provide the CD for it to be burned onto, and then ontop of that he gave me some other Linux distros such as DemoLinux and YellowDog Linux.

Certainly give Knoppix a try though. It really helps a newbie get into Linux and then later on if he can, he can always go onto something like the proper Mandrake boxed set or even Slackware or something in the future.