I did not know at all about this intricacie- and thanks for the link... much apppreciated.
However, once installed on harddisk Knoppix is just a pretty typical Debian Linux (Sarge, to be more exact-which is the "testing" flavour of Debian). There is also "woody" which is the stable version for server-oriented users and the cutting edge "Sid" for the daredevils.
I guess that sarge should install OK for most users, but why not install the real thing? Sarge is freely available on the net (11 CD's or 2 DVD's- two versions, one with packages "legal" in US of A and one omitting them), and installation is not exactly painless, but nevertheless manageable.
If you are a Linux n00b and you still want to tryout Linux i would (again) suggest Mandrake or it's live version, PCLinuxOS:
http://www.pclinuxonline.com/
Mandrake may be buggy (in fact- no doubt about it...) but its installation is MUCH easier than say a 2000 server installation.