debix can create a live filesystem from any existing linux system or create a fresh system with debootstrap. When creating a live filesystem from scratch, "knoppix like autodetection features" can be included.

Is this the way to go?

(I imagine a website where you can customize and select which packages your Knoppix ISO will contain...)

http://debix.alioth.debian.org/

(I didn't test it yet. Perhaps it`s not yet "there", but the idea should be reconsidered by the Knoppix crowd at least!)

EDIT: The debianization of Knoppix is already being considered under "debootstrap" at debian-custom, http://people.debian.org/~tille/debi...200402_malaga/