http://www.linuxforkids.org/
Christopher Sawtell wrote:
On Tuesday 13 April 2004 15:16, Vik Olliver wrote:
On Mon, 2004-04-12 at 11:55, Michael wrote:
Hi,
There's been some on-list discussions and questions in the past about Linux apps and desktops for kids. This came through on slashdot in case anyone is still interested:
http://software.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=04/04/02/1424206
I can confirm that Tuxpaint is indeed a big hit with the little sprogs (twin grils, 6). They also like Frozen Bubble and Pingus but can't really play them. Connect4 is declared booooring, and we never got to try Ksame.
The trick with computer games for children is to make the game so that the child can beat the computer on a reasonably regular basis. Not always, but sufficiently to make it a challenge.
They got on well with KDE, prefering the single-click to launch applications. Little Laura now wants a "penguin" computer like Uncle Vik's...
I'm not sure I dare mention it, but another Lin4Win type of project has shown up. I cannot try it out as I do not have Windows, but would be very interested to know what others think of it. This is the sort of thing that might give the little Lauras of the world their a "penguin" computers without causing apoplectic fits in their homes.
http://www.colinux.org/
I have had some success with Stickers for small children.
http://users.powernet.co.uk/kienzle/stickers/
Local source code mirror at ftp://ftp2.jetstreamgames.co.nz/gentoo/distfiles/stickers-0.1.3.tar.gz
It is in the Gentoo Portage tree.
Keeps a 3 - 5 y.o. somewhat creatively entertained for hours.
-- Zane Gilmore, Analyst / Programmer Information Services Section, Information Technology Dept, University of Canterbury - Te Whare Waananga o Waitaha Private Bag 4800, Christchurch New Zealand Phone +64-3-364 2987 extn 7895
