Knoppix 7.0.5 removes 4 GB overlay limit

Knoppix 7.0.5 allows the live images to store more persistent user data

Klaus Knopper has released version 7.0.5 of his Knoppix Linux live distribution. It is based on Linux kernel version 3.6.11, which is relatively current and offers better hardware support than the version 3.4.11 kernel that was used in August's release of Knoppix 7.0.4. The latest Knoppix release includes applications such as GIMP 2.8 and LibreOffice 3.5.4; however, a current release based on series 3.6 of LibreOffice did not make it into the Linux distribution. As usual, Knoppix is designed to start directly from CDs, DVDs and USB storage media without being installed on the target system.

Available free of charge via numerous mirror servers, the CD and DVD variants of Knoppix 7.0.5 continue to use LXDE as their default desktop. DVD ISOs are also provided; on these, GNOME or KDE can be activated via boot parameters. The DVD variant includes VirtualBox for running virtual machines.

A second iteration of the Knoppix-To-Flash software is currently classified as experimental. Unlike the previous variant, the program for transferring Knoppix to USB flash drives that has been introduced with 7.0.5 supports the creation of Linux partitions for storing overlay images. This allows the images to be larger than 4 GB in size and to offer more storage space for data that won't be lost in case of a reboot. A new graphical program is designed to simplify the integration of Samba or Windows shares. Also experimental is the addition of the not entirely serious USBMissileLauncherUtils – a tool collection for controlling USB-based toy rocket launchers.

(fab)