I'd just like to slip in my two cents about the original post..

I think having the extra programs IS a good thing in some ways. Personally, I rather use KDE and mostly it's apps, but some people like GNOME, or some people may just want something neat and simple like IceWM, so it's nice for anyone to be able to download Knoppix and be able to use the software they like right "out of the box".

And re-mastering IS addictive it's nice having CD-RW's.. not so nice having a burner that can only do 4x re-write .