Knoppix 6.0

Knoppix is Live CD, and they were one of the firt to produce a Live CD. I have use Knoppix in the past as a quick way to demonstrate Linux. My initial reaction to version 6.0 was “how far they have fallen.” The automatic boot into Adriane with no instructions on how to boot straight to Knoppix was a bit disconcerting. Knoppix now uses LXDE, but with a twist. Work on another project allowed me to see Knoppix 6.0 from a different perspective. My first opinion needed some adjustment.

ADRIANE (Auto Desktop Reference Implementation and Networking Environment) Knoppix is a distro for the visually impared. According to the Web page, “ADRIANE uses the SBL (SuSE-BLinux Screenreader) ,with a few extensions by Klaus Knopper, and espeak as speech engine for the german voice.” ADRIANE Knoppix does not require a video output device. Since the primary target audience is the blind and visually impaired, you can run ADRIANE strictly by voice output. Klaus Knopper, the developer of Knoppix, name ADRIANE Knoppix after his wife Adriane, who is visually impaired. Adriane also helps Klaus in his development of this distro.

This distro of Linux is extemely important as it reminds us that we need to be aware of those who have special needs. It also serves another vital purpose. Anyone who develops Web sites needs to learn about screen readers, and needs to learn how to develop Web sites that are screen reader friendly. Take a test run of ADRIANE on your Web site, and hear what the visually impared hear. Try the graphical programs and try to navigate with your eyes closed. Become aware of the world of those who can only hear and touch.

Knoppix 6.0 indeed uses the LXDE desktop. It does not use a login manager, when running from the Live CD. I ran Knoppix on two machines, and tried it on a third. On the Micron TransPort ZX laptop, it would not boot. On the Dell Inspiron 8100 and the HP Pavilion ze4300,  Knoppix booted without a problem. The different between the Dell and HP laptops is that the Dell does not support 3D graphics. The reason I mention this is that Knoppic used Metacity as the window manager on the Dell and Compiz as the window manager on the HP.

The use Metacity or Compiz is rather interesting, as why use a heavyweight window manager with a lightweight desktop. The other anomaly is why have special graphic effects on a distro designed for the visually impared? It seems to me that the best window manager would be a lightweight and simple window manager, such as openbox. It seems to me that all the special effects would make it more difficult for those who have some vision.

I learned a lot from taking a second look at this distro. Now, it is time do more research on screen readers available in Linux. It is time to look at how to design Web sites that support the visually impared.