what would you teach your kids - Linux or Windows

[Vad3r]

1st, I'm not starting a windows vs linux debate, but I do have a question on this.

I have a 9 year old Daughter that wants to start using the computer. I'm trying to decide on which OS to introduce her to. I'm having a hard time deciding on which is best. Pro's and Con's to each.

My personal believe is that linux will slowly take over, and linux is the right choice. (of course I'm talking about when she's older, and in the work force). Computer use would be "educational" only right now. Can't have her addicted to games like I am . Linux has everything you need really, but if at schools they are introducing Windows, am I doing the right thing ?.

So, if you were going to teach/introduce your kids to computers, what O/S would you decide on ?. and why ?

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Maybe both?

I would say it's a good idea for her to be comfortable with windows, so she doesn't go out into the world totally oblivious to it, but then again, I agree with you that Linux will slowly be moving onto the desktop, and it's generally a good thing to know.

 

[kayatai]

honestly, she is probably young enough that it won't matter, she will pick up new OS's easily enough as they become introduced. I mean really it's not that hard to 'learn' a new OS enough to be a proficient 'user' (not talking admin here), and kids generally pick stuff up faster. I doubt she'll get too confused if you teach her linux now and she learns windows at school. When I was a kid the transition from apple to DOS to mac to Windows wasn't hard. You were aware that you were using a different sort of machine of course, but knowing one didn't really hinder use in another. Most OSes now are more similar than they are different (from a user perspective) anyway.

 

[fredtam]

Although I have no experience in Linux I would reccomend it. From what I understand Linux is a great OS and once she gets past the
basic operation of the os Linux would allow her to go behind the scenes to see whats going on. This would be beter than the JFM of Windows. Windows is so easy to learn (my grandma uses it) that after using Linux she should have no problem.

 

[spyordie007]

Both, the systems will change but it's the concepts that are important.

I would try and give them as general a computer education as possible so they can handle the changes.

 

[civad]

Interesting question...

To be honest, here are a few of my thoughts. It is important to remember that a lot of us when we were introduced to computers, did not have Internet access. I am assuming your daughter will be accessing a computer that is connected to the Internet.

If you choose windows, you will have to educate your daughter about spyware, viruses, worms, etc. (I am NOT trying to mock at M$ OS's; I am simply trying to think what I would do if I were in Vad's place. Btw: my sympathies, Vad-- 4 more years, and yr daughter would be a teenager.. then the real 'fun' begins for you as a father )
You will probably have to install a popup suppressor (dont want the pr0n ads popping up, do you? or WORSE .. she could see the online shopping ads at this young age!)
You will have to inform her about firewall, hackers, etc.

In other words, you will have to devote a significant amount of time educating your daughter about using a networked Windows-based computer. I havent even reached the topic of applications yet.

If you choose Linux, she can be the normal user, and you as the root can configure the machine and try to make it a safe as possible. This might make your life a little easire. Note that you can do this in windows too, (she would have a non-admin account) but the chances of your machine getting affected by a .bat or .exe file that she might accidently open are few.. The situation might change once Linux gains marketshare in desktops.

I dont have any experience with Macs so I cannot comment on that.

Regarding applications:

What apps would a nine-year old use most frequently?
*Web browser
*Music player
*Word Processor (for schoolwork, etc.)
*A graphics application (I know my 9-yr old neice likes to use paintbrush )
*Any Others?

Prepare a preliminary list of applications. Since a lot of Linux apps are ported to windows and vice versa (atleast a few win apps run under Linux) the OS at this stage might not be too relevant.


Finally, to think about school, etc.

I remember that when I was in school (which was only till abt 18 months ago..I miss school!!!!) a lot of courses stated that students should have a computer that would run MS Office (!)
For a course on Construction Planning (I am a Civil Engineer) we were supposed to use a program called Primavera Project Planner. I used MrProject and the instructor had no problem accepting my work. It's just that he was not aware that an alternative to Primavera/ MS Project existed. Your daughter might not have such accomodating teachers.

Having said that, let me conclude that your daughter might become more popular among boys if they find out she uses Linux. Now that could be a HUGE problem...

p.s: I personally think its a good idea to start with Linux because of the points I mentioned re: windows

 

[Vad3r]

well, thanks for the informing replies all. I was leaning twords the Linux side for "me". But didn't want to rule out Windows. Both seemed to much to take in at once. As a parent, Linux does seem the right/easy way to go (virus, spyware), also, she cannot install everything/anything as she goes.
Civad, you hit nail right on the head there, web broser and music. I have a decent system in the Living room, but both wife and daughter prefer music on the computer (of course shopping while doing this makes it even better).
I've been telling her that you have to able to "read" to use the computer. She has been doing very well in the reading dept. recently. So it's time to set her up with the computer.

Having said that, let me conclude that your daughter might become more popular among boys if they find out she uses Linux. Now that could be a HUGE problem.

I'm going to tell her I'm teaching her Windows 3.1

thx for the input all

 

[shimsham]

i have a 5yo and 7yo., both pretty savvy with windows as far as surfing and playing games. i built them a comp, and put mandrake on it. all was great until they wanted to go to cartoon network, nick, barbie, et al. there is no shockwave support in linux other than crossover(that i know of, but thats all i could find). flash, sure, but most games use shockwave, and i could only get it to work with crossover.

they handled mandrake just fine as far as the UI goes, but the no shockwave killed it, and i just picked up winME to avoid the headaches since im not a linux pro.

 

[civad]

originally posted by: shimsham
all was great until they wanted to go to cartoon network, nick, barbie, et al. there is no shockwave support in linux other than crossover(that i know of, but thats all i could find). flash, sure, but most games use shockwave, and i could only get it to work with crossover.

Was it the kids or the dad who missed cartoon network/nick more???

 

[rmrf]

You could have a "bi-lingual" child, teach her linux at home and most likely they will be teaching her windows at school. never hurts to have both on your resume.

 

[drag]

I learned on DOS personally.

I remember looking thru the big blue three-ringed binder to find commands and such.

So I vote for Linux. And don't make it easy for them. Set up the web browser, a e-mail thing and a instant messenger do-dad like Gaim or Trillian so that they can communicate with their freinds and won't feel left out. etc etc.

If they show a strong intrest in it, maybe by a couple books for them. A administrator book for Unix and maybe a book on programming with Python.

That way you could sit down together and hack out some simple programs and games and such. That give them a sense of accomplishment. If you learn together a kid will outpace a adult usually (they have more time to fool around with it ). That way it'd give em a chance to talk to them as equals when playing around with programs and stuff. Make them feel smart.

That is, of course, if they show a strong intrest in learning how this stuff works. Otherwise it probably doesn't matter which Windows or Linux.

Get them a cheap computer, a 400 dollar special or something and dual boot it. Let them pick which one they feel comfortable with.

 

[clicknext]

Kids don't need teaching! My 3 year old brother can log into windows, check email, and open up need for speed.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

linux, with tons of console work. let her text edit in vim.

 

[baretta]

Solaris and vi as file editor

 

[CTho9305]

Make her struggle with config.sys and autoexec.bat in DOS to get SimCity2000 running properly in 4MB ram with sound .

 

[ITJunkie]

I did what bing bong suggests...built both systems for my kids. Since Linux isn't running in the schools yet, I had to build a Windows box for them. I also have a mac in there for what it's worth.

 

[SaigonK]

I have to say ... Windows - since 94% of all PC's run it, and Linux (my opinion) will never be any bigger than it is in the niche market today.
Linux would be nice for them if they intend to go into IT, then they could cover all the bases, but if they are going to work in the real world...they are most likely going to run on a Windows PC.

 

[Chaotic42]

Geos, Geos, Geos!

It's what I learned on, and it's still relevant.

load "*", 8, 1

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'd say teach her Linux ... Once she picks it up, she'll have a very easy time learning Windows on her own if she wants to.

 

[sak]

Teach them both well. cause some point or the other its not like the kids arent gonna face Windows..or linux for that matter. its better to be all rounded is'nt it?