Chapter 2. Playing with the LiveCD
Secrets in This Chapter
Downloading Ubuntu
Creating a LiveCD
Booting the LiveCD
Running in Windows
One of the coolest features in the Linux world is the invention of the LiveCD. Ubuntu uses this feature to allow you to test-drive Ubuntu on your PC without having to commit to installing it. This chapter walks you through the things you'll need to do to get a LiveCD running on your system, and it takes you through some of the features of the LiveCD so you can get the most from your LiveCD experience. It also discusses a new feature of the LiveCD, Wubi, which lets you create a bootable Ubuntu partition right in your existing Windows system.
The Ubuntu LiveCD
As discussed in Chapter 1, "What Is Ubuntu?," the Ubuntu distribution provides a LiveCD that you can boot from your PC to run Ubuntu without having to install it. The Ubuntu operating system runs directly from the LiveCD and memory without affecting the hard drive setup. This is a great way to quickly determine whether Ubuntu will run on a specific desktop PC or laptop.
Before you can run the Ubuntu LiveCD, you'll need a copy of it. The Ubuntu project provides three ways for you to obtain the Ubuntu distribution LiveCD:
Purchase it from Canonical Ltd.
Request a free copy to be sent in the mail.
Download it via the Internet.
Canonical Ltd. is a European company committed to providing software and hardware support for Ubuntu. You can purchase copies of the Ubuntu LiveCD from Canonical via the Ubuntu web site ...
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