Linux Live CD for Software Freedom Day 2004

[Henrik]

Hello All,

I am looking for a Linux Live CD suitable for mass marketing FOSS to the general public. On Software Freedom Day [1] hundreds of FOSS supporters will take to the streets all around the world to inform people about Free software and the ideas behind it. To give people a chance to try it for themselves, we will distribute packs containing TheOpenCD and a Live Linux disc. TheOpenCD was always intended as a pure marketing tool, and so fits the task quite well, but what about the Linux part of the offering?

The current major Live CDs tend to have too much technical stuff for the novice user. Web servers and development tools are nice for experienced Linux users and programmers, and make Live CDs into a handy tool for system rescue and travel, but it will only confuse the basic user. These distros also tend to have duplicates of various applications, including choices of editors and terminals. Don't get me wrong, choice is good; I like choice in my distros, but we are not looking for a tool for ourselves here, but a pure marketing tool. We don't need to show people everything the FOSS world has to offer, just some of the very best programs to make a solid impression. There are some Live distros on the other end of the spectrum, like Puppy and Feather Linux but these are too stripped down to impress.

So, which Live distro is the best starting point for such a pure marketing CD? Are there any Live CD wizards out there who wants to take a crack at making a pure marketing CD? Oh, and to be used for Software Freedom Day, it needs to be complete by August 1st.

There are some further details on what we are looking for in our wiki [2].

[1] http://softwarefreedomday.org/
[2] http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/wi...veCD:_Features

[j.drake]

One other option is SuSE. Novell is pushing the idea of free downloads of the desktop edition (live CD and install), along with a manual. http://www.novell.com/training/linux/register.html

It would carry the advantage of a big, familiar name, which might be of interest to IT professionals more than to hobbyists. Hoobyists will make one download and play with it, but IT professionals could conceivably spec linux for an entire enterprise migration. And the bigger the name, the more comfortable they might be in risking their careers on such a move.

Say what you want about the relative merits (I love Knoppix), but Novell has the name, and it also has certification programs to enhance the resumes of those IT Pros who spec it.

jd