Just noticed that VLinux, a Knoppix based Linux distro offering a platform for most bioinformatics needs (well, on the DNA sequence / protein analysis side), just released version 1.0. It boots from a CD (no installation required) and is quite complete. To name just a few, it contains EMBOSS, RasMol, ClustalW, gene prediction, primer design and some philogeny software. Sadly, no microarray analysis software is included (Bioconductor would have been nice). Nonetheless, it can prove useful to have this portable toolbox on yourself, especially in situations where you don't have access to your laptop. BioKnoppix is another distro of the same genre, offering a different package set. Pick up the best for your needs! Thanks Bioinformatics.org.