Common web browsers

Once you have an Internet connection, Knoppix has several different web browsers built in. A web browser is a program for using the World Wide Web, one of the Internet's most popular services.

Konqueror

Konqueror is a web browser and file manager, which uses the KHTML layout engine to render content. The WebKit layout engine used in Safari and Chrome browsers is based on KHTML.

When starting Knoppix for the first time or with default settings into the K Desktop Environment (KDE), Konqueror will start automatically and will display a local HTML page introducing Knoppix.

To invoke Konqueror later on in KDE, click Konqueror Web Browser on the Panel.

Gecko-based browsers

The Mozilla Application Suite, then just known as Mozilla, has been a mainstay in earlier versions of the Knoppix CD until Knoppix 3.8. Mozilla has not been included since that version in favor of Mozilla Firefox. Mozilla and Firefox are both available on the Knoppix 4.0 DVD.

Mozilla Application Suite

Mozilla is a whole, integrated, configurable, sophisticated and extensible Internet application suite. To invoke it in KDE, click the “Mozilla Browser” button on the Panel.

On modern hardware, the Mozilla Web Browser may take longer to start than Konqueror in K Desktop Environment (KDE), because Konqueror and KDE share the same toolkit and other technologies. On slower computers with limited RAM memory, Mozilla may be more responsive when run from a simple window manager and not from a desktop envrionment.

Mozilla Firefox/IceWeasel

Mozilla Firefox, a fast, light browser, replaced Mozilla proper. Firefox 1.0.3 was included in Knoppix 3.8.2 and has remained the primary browser ever since. Unlike Mozilla, which is a whole application suite, Firefox 1.0 had an advantage with speed and responsiveness.

Mozilla Firefox 2.0 later turned out to be comparably less responsive than SeaMonkey 1.x — a fork and descendant of Mozilla, that was still based on original Mozilla technologies, which had matured in 2001/2002. Firefox 2.0 also requires more in-depth customization than SeaMonkey to make it more responsive and less resource-hungry.

The Mozilla Firefox package was later changed to IceWeasel, a version- and source-compatible fork of Mozilla Firefox. The change was borne out of a naming and trademark dispute with Mozilla.org and developers of Debian (on which Knoppix is based).

Since at least Knoppix 6.0.1, IceWeasel has by default included the NoScript extension, which protects against web attacks.

Small browsers

For a minimal web browser, click K menu -> Internet -> Dillo.
For text-only web browsing (yes, really), click K menu -> Internet -> Lynx. Then hit the letter G (for Go). You will be prompted to enter the web address that you want to visit. Type the web address that you want, then press Enter. The web page will be loaded.

Email

Knoppix has several different email clients. An email client is a program that lets you send and receive Internet email. Here is how to set up the KMail email client in Knoppix:

Click the K menu in the bottom left corner.
Point to “Internet”.
Click “KMail (Mail Client)”.
The KMail mail program will be loaded.
Click the “Settings” menu.
Click “Configure KMail”.
The KMail configuration screen will appear. On the left side, ensure that “Identities” is selected. Click “Modify”.
Enter your real name, organisation and email address, then click OK.
Click “Network”.
Click “Remove”.
Click “Add”.
Make sure “SMTP” is selected, then click OK.
In the “Host” box, enter the hostname of your Internet Service Provider's outgoing SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server. If the SMTP server requires authentication, check the “Server requires authentication” box and enter your username and password for sending mail.
Click OK.
Click the “Receiving” tab.
Click “Add”.
Select the type of incoming mail server you have. Most Internet Service Providers use POP (Post Office Protocol). Some provide IMAP (Internet Message Application Protocol).
Click OK.
Enter your login and password for receiving your email. Enter the server which provides your incoming email in the “Host” box.
Click OK. This takes you back to the “Configure KMail” screen.
Click OK again.
To see if you have new mail, click the “File” menu, then “Check Mail”. Or click the “Check Mail In” button on the toolbar. KMail will look for your new messages.
To write email, click the “Message” menu, then “New Message”. Or click the “New Message” button on the Toolbar.
When you have finished writing, click the “Message” menu, then “Send”. Or click the “Send” button in the Toolbar.

Important
Knoppix will not let you accidentally run Linux programs received by email.
Program files must be given execute permission before they can be run by double-clicking on them.
This gives excellent protection against would-be “email viruses”, while still letting you open ordinary document attachments easily.