LiveCD question

I am interested in learning Linux but cannot currently install it on my computer. I don't have a partition available and I can't install a new drive right now. So for the time being I'd like to use a LiveCD, which I hear just boots into Linux for you without having to install it.

Now, I have been looking at this list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_LiveDistros

I was wondering what which would be the best and easiest distro to use? It's only temporary until I can install the real deal.

Also, is it better to run it from a USB drive or a CD?

Thanks!

 

Best and easiest are very subjective. I suggest PCLOS 2007, or any form of Ubuntu. They're all nice distros. If you've got a few CD's and a little spare time, download several and take each for a test drive; make up your own mind by actually trying them out. Oh, yeah: have fun!

Edit: Just noticed another thread which mentions PCLOS 2008; guess I'm behind the times a bit. LOL

 

Also you might consider Linux Mint which is even easier than Ubuntu.

 

As bmwrob says, highly subjective. I've played with several LiveCD's over the last couple of years, KDE, Gnome, and xfce-based.

First off, the desktop is highly tweakable, so it's not like you're stuck with whatever you get when you first turn it on. Panels, icons, font, backgrounds, etc. can be changed.
Gnome is simpler and cleaner than KDE. I find the three starting points - Applications, Places, and System - to be logical and just about right for getting where you want to go without too much clutter. Gnome just "feels" right.

KDE is - I hate to say this because it's such a cliche and means different things to different people - "more like Windows". The KDE menus in the lower left can be cluttered and redundant on some distros. Plus naming everything "K" this and "K" that seems kind of silly to me.

Having said that, the new KDE 4 looks very cool.

You'd probably like whatever you get used to. Nobody can tell you which you'll like better. If you have an old desktop PC laying around try both DE's for a couple of weeks. I've got an old Pentium III desktop PC out in the shop and a couple of spare HDD's. Great way to experiment, screw things up, start over...

If I had broadband at home so it was easy to add things, I'd probably be using xfce. Snappier desktop environment.

Forgot to mention, the LiveCD will run much slower than when installed to a HDD. Newer PC's don't suffer so much from the lag, but an "older" machine may seem impossibly slow and I wouldn't want you to think that's as good as it's gonna get.

 

You can also try different window managers to see which one is to your liking. I personally love Fluxbox. Fluxbuntu is based on Fluxbox, and is a nice distro. Don't think it has a LiveCD though.

BTW, check out www.pendrivelinux.com