informIT: Linux Live CDs: All the Linux with None of the Commitment

“If you’ve been itching to try Linux but have been wary about
partitioning your hard drive or otherwise afraid to commit the time
and space to another operating system, the good news is you don’t
have to risk anything to experience Linux. For quite some time,
Linux distributions have been made available in live CD format,
decompressing data on-the-fly and running entirely from memory. Not
only can you try different flavors of Linux, but you can often use
the live CD to install the software if you really like it.

“And if that wasn’t enough, specialized live distros can run
from business card-sized CDs, USB thumb drives, and some that are
intended as rescue CDs for virus-ridden PCs…”

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