MESSAGE
| DATE | 2006-11-30 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Kids & Linux
|
And we never did out crossover study to see which system kids learn to
use faster.
Ruben
On Wed, 2006-11-29 at 23:54 -0500, rc wrote:
> I'd swear I heard someone say this before! ;)
>
>
> http://reallylinux.com/docs/linuxforkids.shtml
>
> Out of the mouth of babes: Linux is Better
> by Mark Rais, Senior Editor ReallyLinux.com
>
> It was hard to believe, but early Saturday morning my kids snuck
> downstairs, grabbed my laptop out of the bag and started using it for
> fun and games. What was more surprising was the fact that they chose my
> laptop running Fedora, rather than the family PC running Windows with
> all of the kids games and edutainment packages.
>
> When I asked my son why he had snatched my laptop instead of using the
> family PC, he replied without hesitation: "Because Linux is better."
>
> After some more fact finding, I learned what was the underlying reason.
> I had recently installed the latest K12ltsp.org release on the laptop.
>
> This is a full fledged Fedora combining the extensive work of the LTSP
> (linux terminal server project) as well as the added resources and
> programs included for use by Kindergarten through 12th grade acedemics.
> This release allows other PCs to run as terminals connected to a single
> Linux server and has been used world-wide to setup Linux classrooms. I
> must also give substantial credit to the teams of folks who write the
> many tools and applications for the KDE desktop.
>
> But frankly, my kids couldn't care less about these tidbits. Instead,
> what really attracted them to the laptop were those countless unique
> educational games and tools specifically tailored for their ages.
>
> Preloaded to the Max
> There are over fifty educational programs that come pre-installed. Also
> included are over one hundred fifty popular programs and applications
> such as OpenOffice.org, Firefox, Evolution and X-CD-Roast.
>
> Just slip in the CDs, install the k12ltsp.org distro and in less than 45
> minutes you're done! And all it took was some minor effort, primarily
> for walking over to the kitchen to refill your cup while it all
> automatically installed.
>
> But kids using Linux has a lot to do with the simplicity of the
> interfaces, how menu items and icons convey information, and the
> categorization.
>
> What my son so poignantly declared was also a testimony to these GUIs
> available for Linux. Whether I had default boot set to Gnome or KDE, to
> my kids, they were both completely understandable and useable. I know
> this may shock the Linux purists, but to me this is a strong
> confirmation that the GUIs are substantially easier to use than I had
> even contemplated. Here was a five year old, traversing the directories,
> finding applications and opening them without any hesitation. He had no
> issue figuring out how to open and close screens, move them around, or
> change their size. The tool bars, menus and icons were all intuitive to
> these kids.
>
> The Real Screaming
> What caused the real screaming wasn't me asking for my laptop back so I
> could get some work done. Instead, it was the shock of returning to
> Windows. They went to the living room and ended up throwing fits. I
> noticed that my son had more trouble trying to find and load his games
> on the WindowsXP machine for several reasons.
>
> The interface is far more cluttered for one. The interface get's
> in-your-face as well.
>
> Every ten seconds one of those damn useless taskbar "alerts" appears.
> Then there's the one second lag time for opening start menu items, which
> I found doesn't just irritate me, but also my kids!
>
> In many ways the Linux interfaces proved easier and more versatile than
> Windows, and not just for adults. It became readily apparent when my
> kids were started screaming in frustration.
>
> The final moans occurred when I told them they needed to go back to
> using the family PC, because my laptop was for work. This resulted in a
> revolution. When I finally reminded them that all of their games were
> loaded on the family PC, they both responded with intensity: "we don't
> want those, we like the little Tux!"
>
> Apparently not only was Linux easier for them to load. Not only were
> Gnome and KDE easier to traverse and simpler to use. Now they were
> declaring the attraction to the Linux mascot! I guess I can understand,
> looking at a cuddly Penguin certainly beats looking at the hard edged
> corporate logos that fill most of the Windows desktop icons and graphics.
>
> Applications Perfect for Kids
> Tux paint had become a favorite. It was wisely designed for young kids
> with an easy to learn tools and options that offered even a 5 year old a
> lot more than just basic graphical skills.
>
> I noticed that my kids were concentrating on another favorite called the
> Gcompris educational suite, which comes with math, reading and
> experience based activities that are interesting and instructive. The
> kids love the puzzles that not only challenge the mind but offer
> entertainment without the intensity you may find with similar commercial
> software.
>
> The Only Real Choice
> In an effort to appease them, reduce the tantrums, and to get my laptop
> back as a work tool, I ended up connecting the family PC to the network
> and running it as a dumb terminal off the Linux Fedora LTSP laptop.
>
> That's right, a full fledged Windows PC was now simply a network
> extension of my Linux laptop. Now the kids get to use all of those Linux
> based games and tools they love, without keeping me from my work! And as
> peculiar as this may seem to some, they've not since asked for or cared
> about any of their Windows programs. Instead, they continue to learn and
> enjoy Linux -- "because its better."
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