Knoppix

Knoppix is a GNU/ Linux distribution, the name is derived from the developer Klaus Knopper. The Knoppix installation package includes a Debian distribution, the Linux kernel, the working environment LXDE, a Gnome MPlayer, the image editing program GIMP, OpenOffice or LibreOffice as well as Iceweasel or Chromium and around 200 other programs.

Since 2011, Knoppix has been based on Debian 6 (Squeeze), and in 2012 the system was switched from the 8-bit ISO encoding to the UnicodeTransformation Format UTF-8. Since 2008, Knoppix includes the Adriane AudioDesktop with a speech output for visually impaired users. In addition, Knoppix is characterized by an automatic detection of hardware, including graphics cards, USB components and also Braille terminals.

As a live system, the software does not have to be installed on a hard disk, but can also just be loaded into the RAM, e.g. for troubleshooting in an emergency or for diagnosing the computer. Another operating system installed on the hard disk is not started thereby.

Knoppix derivatives are mainly live CDs, including the Damn Small Linux, which is only 50 megabytes, or the content management systemTypo3 Live.