this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2024
153 points (96.9% liked)

Linux

48323 readers
637 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
153
Linux for Kids? (yall.theatl.social)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by wesley@yall.theatl.social to c/linux@lemmy.ml
 

I'm thinking about building a desktop with one of my kids and I would really prefer to put Linux on it. My wife is not a fan of the idea, however.

I'm wondering are there any good Linux distros/utilities for children that include parental control features and things like that? And that are easy to use for a child who has only used basic Chromebooks in the past?

For reference the child is under 12.

(page 2) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Railison@aussie.zone 5 points 6 months ago

When I was a kid I remember being confused at what the installation questions were.

If I were my own parent, I’d explain how the OS can sort itself (FHS, Windows, macOS). This gives confidence for installing and inspecting software.

Next, I’d explain how drives work and how they’re represented in different systems. That means partitions and formatting too.

That would then take me to explaining what’s involved in OS installs, erasing everything, dual booting, retaining personal files, etc.

[–] Grass@sh.itjust.works 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

What does your wife have against linux? All the porn pop up viruses are on windows, and getting your kid on apple is setting them up to be in credit card debt for the rest of their lives.

Even my senile ass grandparents use Linux and they don't complain about every little thing like they did with windows. My dad wanted a Mac but free so after hackintosh being too much learning curve for him I used some random Mac inspired configs from the internet for one of the Linux DEs that I've never personally used, also no more babysitting and virus induced full wipes.

Parental controls I would do at the router level because eventually kids will surpass you in computer skills. Or maybe they won't because of seo and ai articles taking over the web.

[–] entropicdrift@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 6 months ago

You probably want EndlessOS

[–] AI_toothbrush@lemmy.zip 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

When i was 9 my sister gave me a laptop she put ubuntu on and it pretty much worked for me. I have a pretty good sense for computers and maths so that probably helped. And on another note, no i didnt get trauma from unrestricted access to the internet because i never searched for stuff like that. The first time I started seeing(and thus avoiding) gore/shock videos was when my classmates also got devices. I think if you teach your kid well they will learn to avoid these things but be carefull because other parents(especially today) dont teach their kids about safety. Your milage may vary, im not a parent.

[–] nutsack@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago (3 children)

Every distro is essentially the same it's not the question you want to be asking

[–] kylian0087@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

i partially agree here. Comparing something like Nix vs Gentoo is like comparing cars and plains. sure their both vehicles but that's about the it.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] oo1@kbin.social 3 points 6 months ago

I'd go raspberry pi for kids - gpio projects are fun and linking computer to physical world.
The newer ones are a bit pricey for what they are though.

[–] nfsu2@feddit.cl 2 points 6 months ago

My wife is not a fan of the idea, however .

Divorce!

Jokes aside, Edubuntu should cover you parental controls and Education tools needs. And since it comes with Gnome by default the UI should comfortable to your children. I suggest diving into it if you need more something sprecific. Good luck!

PS: There are some good articles flying around about how to convert your loved ones to linux. I have one measly convert and my advice is to show them how can linux solve their problems.

[–] Suoko@feddit.it 2 points 6 months ago

Kubuntu + adguard DNS and you're done. Good looking desktop which is fun to configure for a kid. Dolphin file manager can show the terminal in a tab, which is good to learn. Nothing compares.

[–] Pat_Riot@lemmy.today 2 points 6 months ago
load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›