Light Distro Sampler

This month we give you a multilingual, multidistro DVD with six light Live Linux distributions. Try one, or try them all.

• 4MLinux – The four "M"s in 4MLinux [1] stand for maintenance (system rescue), multimedia (videos, DVDs), miniserver (inetd daemon), and mystery (games). 4MLinux does not start with a default password [2], so when you are prompted on bootup, make one up. If you get any warnings don't worry  – you can stick with your chosen password, just retype it at the next prompt. At the 4MLinux login prompt, enter root then your new password at the next prompt. You're in!

• MultiSystem – The MultiSystem Linux distro [3] is based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise). Create your own Live multiboot USB stick [4] by dragging ISO files to the MultiSystem window that opens on bootup.

• SystemRescueCd – SystemRescueCd [5] is the well-known rescue distro that lets you administer or repair your system and data after a crash. This useful distro starts up with a boot menu offering various startup scenarios.

• Clonezilla – Clonezilla Live [6] helps you "image or clone individual computers using a CD/DVD or USB flash drive."
• CorePlus – The Core version on this disc is actually TinyCore [7], the GUI version of the bare-bones Core Linux that allows you to design a custom Linux distro of your own.

• Slax – Slax [7] uses a modular approach to creating custom Linux distros. Our version boots up in German(!). To change to English, first click on the German flag in the bottom panel to switch to a US keyboard layout. Next, click on the KDE logo at the lower left and choose Anwendungen | System | System Einstellungen. Now double-click Regionales. In the Land tab, change Deutschland to USA. In the Sprachen tab, move Deutsch to the left window and English to the right. Finally, click Anwenden.

• Puppy Linux – Puppy Linux [8] is a fun, friendly, and fast Linux distro fit for newbies.