Could you please suggest me any distribution which runs from a live cd, includes C, C++ and Java compilers and has GUI which runs with 128 MB RAM and a 1 GHz Celeron Class machine?

I don't necessarily need heavyweights such as KDE or Gnome; I just need a GUI so I can use Kwrite or similar instead of vi. I DO need a syntax aware editor (for C, C++ and Java) which also supports indenting. Code folding is not necessary. IDEs are not required, though I wouldn't mind them provided they can run within 128 MB of RAM. The distribution should also be able to identify and mount USB drives in write mode. I don't mind if this has to be done manually, but would prefer for it to be automounted.

Now here's the background to this request. I'm a student who is required to do programming exercises on our university computers. Unfortunately, they are loaded with windows and (consequently) a lot of viruses. We don't have the administrator privileges required to install an antivirus ourselves, and the (so called) system administrator is not bothered at all. The only solution seems to be to use a linux live cd with the above mentioned characteristics. If someone can suggest a better or simpler solution, I'd definitely be interested.

Looking forward to all the suggestions, and thanks in advance.

Did you try knoppix? Just boot with the line “knoppix desktop=fluxbox” to get a lightweight window manager.

Why didn't I think of this? It's the perfect solution! Thanks a lot osor, you made my day. Now I'm off to search for the latest knoppix cd from my local lug.

Just goes to show how a different point of view can make all the difference. Thanks again!