Linux for kids...

JustPassingBy

dg1dd1ngs wrote: »

1. Doudou Linux - It looks really kid friendly and simple to use and is also stable which is important.

Runs from a CD or a USB stick. May be put on to hard disk. A good selection of software for your two children to use. Easy on the eye and easy to use. There is an optional LXDE interface. You may be attracted by the inclusion of dansguardian for internet access.

There could be a challenge involved in obtaining wireless access but it's a distribution based on Debian so a solution should be available.

BackOnTrack

Give them a real challenge put slackware on it.

Owain_Moneysaver

closed wrote: »

they won't be using linux in school,

They probably won't be using tablecloths and napkins at school either, but that's no reason not to teach them table manners.

candtalan

Qimo for kids is good for the younger one.
https://www.qimo4kids.com
You can add games too.
Edubuntu is good for both, but fill it full of games of course.

Consider
1) keeping the install password to yourself, and create a restricted user auto login for the users. Maybe even an account for each of them
2) Controlled internet access depending on your decisions. Firefox add on called 'pro con' latte is pretty good and simple and can use a password. But you may also wish to control via your router too etc. to be sure.
3) lots of games. Just look slowly down the list available in the various ubuntu repositories, an dinstall all that th emachine can handle.
I have a young relative, now 4, who has been using ubuntu/edubvuntu for over a year. Loves it.

Good luck.

dg1dd1ngs_2

Thank you candtalan, great stuff!

patman99

Just make sure to check system requirements for each distro.
If your lappie has built-in WiFi, you could have a lot of trouble getting it to work under ubuntu.

Don't forget, you can install any Linux prog. on any Linux distro.

If you really want to, you could build your own distro by starting with a 'lite' version of Linux such as 'PCLinuxOS MiniMe', then installing all the programs you want your children to use, customize the desktop then create and burn your own CD/DVD with 'makelivecd'.

For ease of familiarisation choose a KDE based Linux (such as PCLinuxOS or Kbuntu). This has the menu button bottom-left, whereas Gnome-based versions place the menus along the top.

esuhl

patman99 wrote: »

Don't forget, you can install any Linux prog. on any Linux distro.

You can, but it's a lot easier to manage dependencies if you stick with the packages that available in repositories that work with your package manager.

patman99 wrote: »

For ease of familiarisation choose a KDE based Linux (such as PCLinuxOS or Kbuntu). This has the menu button bottom-left, whereas Gnome-based versions place the menus along the top.

I haven't used Gnome or KDE for years, but surely you can customise the panels and menus?! For an old laptop, I'd recommend XFCE as has all the feature's you'd expect, but it's a lot less resource-hungry than Gnome or KDE...

candtalan

patman99 wrote: »

If your lappie has built-in WiFi, you could have a lot of trouble getting it to work under ubuntu.

Even Broadcom the big wireless chip maker is now a member of the Linux foundation. I have not had trouble with wifi on Ubuntu for a long time now, it will probably be pretty straightforward. Just keep ubuntuforums in mind if push comes to shove.
http://ubuntuforums.org

As mentioned in another post, it is easiest to install from the various repositories (libraries) of apps, use the Ubuntu Software Centre:
Applictions>Ubuntu Software Centre

The free demo app of the paid game world of goo is fun, the older child might like it (I do, when I am not using my bus pass) Download it, from the official site,

http://worldofgoo.com/dl2.php?lk=demo&filename=WorldOfGooDemo.1.41.deb

(for Ubuntu)
right click and choose to install using the Ubuntu package manager

have fun