Hello to everyone

This is my first post and I hope that I'm posting in the right section.

I am planning to use Linux beside my Windows installation, and I have zeroed down on Knoppix as most of my friends (as well as tech magazines in my country) recommended it as the best Live Distro available. But before I start using it I would love to have some of my doubts cleared, which are as follows:

1. In live Cd mode will it be possible to access the NTFS partitions in both READ and WRITE mode? That is whether I shall be able to read as well as write data in my NTFS drives without installing Knoppix.

2. I tried but I could not find the full list of softwares packages included in the latest Knoppix DVD (English Edition), so could some one please provide me the link if such a page exists?

3. Is Knoppix based on Debian?

4. Is there any free e books available for novice Knoppix users like me? If yes please provide me the link.

5. Is it possible to install new softwares which are not included in Knoppix DVD while running Knoppix in Live CD mode?

I know some of these questions may sound quite mundane as well as foolish, but please understand that I am very fresh in the Linux world but highly enthusiastic about it.

Sorry if I missed anything in the FAQ.

So please help me out.

Thank you.