Having now done it both ways, I'm pretty pleased with the debian installation (although I basically knew what to expect, since I had installed debian style on a PC at the office before the knoppix style HD install became an option).

The knoppix style HD install is a novelty, which has both positive and negative aspects. For me, standardized ways of doing things are pretty important, so the choice was fairly clear from the start. I just like to experiment.

I'm just glad knoppix came into being if only because I had found traditional debian installation to be a little arcane. I was one of those people who would've gladly chosen debian long ago but could just never get it up and running right. Add on knoppix's handiness for use in training, system recovery, and linux-on-the-go, and it's a slam dunk.