LiveCDs are an excellent way to begin using Linux. Distro Jockey heartily recommends that anyone who’s considering Linux for any reason pick out a LiveCD and see if it can do what you need.

LiveCDs do not change the system configuration in any way. They run entirely in RAM and off of the CD so there’s no installation process and if you choose not to use the distro you’re trying out you can always just take the disk out, reboot your computer, and you’re right where you started.

I’ve reviewed a number of LiveCDs in addition to the regular installations. They’re generally shorter than the regular distro checks because there’s so much less that is required from the user. To read about the various LiveCDs that Distro Jockey has come across use the navigation on the side.