Re: Debian Jr. project linkage & PR for the project

[Max Moritz Sievers <max.moritz.sievers@gmx.de>]

On Sunday 26 November 2000 23:18, Max Moritz Sievers wrote:
> Done. 42 minutes till this week ends for me ;-)

I forget to attach.

Title: trend: Linux should become attractive to kids - page 1 (Computer Channel)

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One Linux for the Junior

The free operatingsystem Linux should get entry to children 's rooms - that is what certainly the initiators of three projects wish. But if Linux fits that simply to "children 's shoes" like in the imagination of the committed developers is questionable.

	Linux for Kids: The operatingsystem should manage to do the jump into the children's room.

By Susanne Reininger

"Daddy, is this Linux-game also available for Windows 95 - there it would look better, wouldn't it?", asked nine years old Victoria her father nervily. That hurt the Debian-developer Ben Armstrong in double ways: as a committed advocate of the Open-Source-idea he is one of the initiators of the "Debian Jr. Project" which has the aim to make the Linux based Debian-operatingsystem more friendly for kids. Besides he wants to pass on his beliefs of "free programmable software for all" to his children because he classifies the alternatives as "too restrict and just unaccaptable". "If it suits me or not, Windows is much easier for kids than Linux is" Armstrong had to admit. "Why can't Linux make more fun for kids? I want to develop a desktop for kids where they can start toys, games and educational software with a few mouseclicks" describes Armstrong his vision of the Debian Jr.-Project.

    The project is not visible to the public yet and is situated in the "intern phase" in which Armstrong exchanges ideas and tips with other Debian-developers in his sparetime how Linux based desktop-funktions and applications which are suitable for children could look like in a mailinglist {translator's note: this is not true anymore: there is a official website}. "This is not about reinvent a user interface but about elected applications we think childrens can cope with best." says Armstrong.

    The central question is: "What exectly is it that makes computers attractive to kids?". Therefore you must keep your eyes and ears open and look unnoticely over the kids shoulder when they sit at the computer. Without this focus you get lost in abstract questions believes the Debian-developer. Instead it is debated besides desktop-arrangement also child's safe applications by which kids aren't limited though but encouraged to discover their own approaches - "also if it crashes sometimes".

    Besides the Debian Jr.-Project there are two more developer-inititaives which want to enthuse kids for the for many average users difficult to see through Linux in a playfully manner. One of them is "Linux for Kids" which launched their own website. It wants to acquaint the open operatingsystem as a platform for learn- and edutainmentsoftware. "Our target group is kids under the age of ten" says Chris Ellec the operator of the website. But so far Linux for Kids serves mainly as a software-forum for parents and teachers who search for programs for the junior at home or for teaching. "We hope that we become also a contact point for kids soon" hopes Ellec.

    Chris Ellec and some friends wanted to retool some old 486er-PCs for the bet in a elementary school. Through his long lasting experience with Linux he installed the free operatingsystem on the "old cucumbers". But then he discovered that there were barely learnprograms and games. So he collected existing software in the net and animated friendly programmers to develop appropriate applications. So step by step the software-forum extended from five up to more than 60 programs. Under seven categories games like "Tuxracer", a 3D-skirace, city simulation "Lincity" or a multilanguage translator for japanese and learnprograms can be downloaded. In February a collection of the best programs on CD-ROM came out which proceeds are used for providing the website. A ratesystem and feedback from users should be added soon. The initiators or "Linux for Kids" work clos together with SEUL/Edu (Simple End User Linux) a diskussiongroup of parents, teachers amd students who want to deploy Linux as a learning aid.

    The Linux-mascot Tux has already become a nestly toy for children's rooms - now it just has to manage the jump to the junior's computer-desktop.

© by G+J Computer Channel GmbH

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