Hi Xeogears13,

For a safe KNOPPIX leaning system
I would recommend the
usb stick (pen, key chain). Even
a small one for about $35us would
give you a good place to keep your
files. If you set up a boot floppy
to run KNOPPIX and recognize your
persistent home on the usb stick,
you do not need to have anything
to do with the hard drive.

KNOPPIX works well with most computes
but does need a good amount of memory.
I don't know about the DELL problem.

I have worked on a system to save
home files onto a second CDRW but that is not
the most convenient way to go.

This forum discusses java:
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4476#20787
gcj-3.2 compiler is on the latest KNOPPIX disk.
KNOPPIX also has many shell and scripting languages
and editors.

Best Wishes
paradocs