is it true that there are linux's that boot from cd's?
 

is it true that there are distobutions of linux that can boot from a cd and run on a computer without messing with the hard drive? like you just put the cd in to the drive and when it boots up you can use linux without installing it? and if there are such versions of linux are any of them good?

Yes, it is true. There are many, many bootable distros...with Knoppix probably being the most popular these days.

My fave's DSL
 

My favourite is Damn Small Linux.

It's debian based (tho moderately modified), runs lightning quick (even on old hardware), can run from a CDR, USB drive, HDD or within another OS (e.g. Windows), and they've devised some truly clever systems for adding apps.

I run it at home on my 100MHz/64Mb tinker box, using a 256Mb CF card and CF-IDE adapter.

Type "linux live CD" in Google and you will find lots of live CDs.

The first link goes to a long list of live CDs:

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Im running a live linux cd right now. There are 2 that I have, (btw im mainly a windows user, i just use these cd's for whenever i screw up the computer and need access to the internet) PHLAK =professional hackers linux assult kit, and KNOPPIX-STD =security tools ditribution.(i think)