Knowing Knoppix/Other applications
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Knoppix includes many other useful and fun applications. There isn't space to describe them all fully here. In this section are some of the highlights to look out for.
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[edit] Graphics
[edit] The Gimp
The GNU Image Manipulation Program (The Gimp) is a wonderful graphics editor. It is for painting, image editing and photo retouching. Many people think The Gimp is the greatest thing after Linux itself. To start using it, click K menu -> Multimedia -> Graphics -> The Gimp.
The screenshot below shows Wilber, the Gimp's mascot. Wilber was created by Tuomas Kuosmanen, also known as “Tiger T”. Underneath is the Gimp Toolbox, and a Brushes dialog.
[edit] Office applications
[edit] OpenOffice.org office suite
OpenOffice.org is the slowest but most powerful office application in Knoppix. OpenOffice.org combines word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and drawing in one huge package. On older computers, OpenOffice.org may take several minutes to start. To begin using OpenOffice.org, click K menu -> Office -> OpenOffice.org -> OpenOffice.
[edit] KOffice
KOffice is a simple office suite, for word-processing, spreadsheet, drawing, presentations and other tasks. Unlike OpenOffice, KOffice is quick to start. To begin, click K menu -> Office -> KOffice, then click the program you would like to use.
[edit] Gnumeric
Gnumeric is a powerful standalone spreadsheet application. Like KOffice, Gnumeric is quick to start. To begin, click K menu -> Office -> Gnumeric.
[edit] AbiWord
AbiWord is a simple word standalone processor. To get started, click K menu -> Office -> AbiWord word processor. Compared to OpenOffice Writer and KOffice, abiword is lighter with less bloat.
[edit] Toys and amusements
[edit] KStars planetarium
KStars shows the position of the stars and planets in the sky in real time. KStars can show the view of the sky from hundreds of locations around the world. It also has a catalogue of planets, stars and other objects. To start using KStars, click K menu -> Entertainment -> Science -> KStars.
[edit] Frozen Bubble
Frozen Bubble is an arcade style bubble bursting game for one or two players. The idea is to hit two or more other bubbles of the same colour to make them disappear. To start, click K menu -> Games -> Tetris-like -> Frozen-Bubble.
[edit] KSokoban
KSokoban is a gemstone-pushing puzzle game. The object of the game is to move the red diamonds onto the green squares, only by pushing the red diamonds. Move the man using the cursor keys. To begin, click K menu -> Games -> Tactics & Strategy -> KSokoban.
[edit] GTans
GTans is a shape-building puzzle game. Move, rotate and flip the shapes to make the larger shape shown on the right hand side. To start, click K menu -> Games -> Puzzles -> GTans.
[edit] Installing Applications not included on the CD
[edit] About UnionFS
Starting with Knoppix 3.8 and higher, there is a new feature included and enabled by default called UnionFS. This enables ANY file on the filesystem to be changed, and when it is the new file is stored on the RAMdisk, and the system knows not to refer to the "old" version of the file on the CD.
This feature is important to allow you to add software that is not included with the Knoppix distribution easily while running the system from any Internet connected computer (high speed connection recommended).
[edit] Installing Packages
You will be using the standard debian packaging tool, apt-get. Don't worry, apt-get is really easy to use.
1. First, go to a command prompt with konsole and type in:
sudo apt-get update
2. What this does is update the listing of available packages. "sudo" runs the command as the super-user, which must be done when working with apt-get. 3. Next, find the package you want. You can find a searchable listing of all packages available for debian at:
http://packages.debian.org
4. After finding your package, type in at the konsole prompt:
sudo apt-get install packagename
where "packagename" is replaced with the name of the package you want to install.
As an example, say you want to work with the kdegames package (which includes all the games included by default with the K Desktop Environment). FYI, this package includes a wide range of games, from remakes of classic arcade games, board games, as well as card games.
All you have to do is type at the prompt:
sudo apt-get install kdegames
[edit] Miscellaneous Notes
You are limited in the amount of packages you can install by the amount of your physical RAM. When you run apt-get, it will tell you the amount of space the packages take up. Watch how many packages you install, if you have 256 MB of RAM it's probably not wise (but may be possible) to install about 230 MB of packages.
If the lack of packages on the CD concerns you, don't worry. There is now a Knoppix Live DVD, which includes over 9 gigs of software (uncompressed) on the DVD... All your favorite packages are likely included on this DVD!
To install more than one package, simply put a space between each package you want to install, like this:
apt-get install kdegames planetpenguin-racer gnome-games bsdgames
Note to all debian users. Anyone who has used debian before will probably be itching to issue
apt-get upgrade
You are urged not to do this as knoppix has many custom scripts that apt-get upgrade seems to break.
