[Discuss] Encouraging Children to Explore Open Source

[js0000 at gmail.com (john saylor)]

hi

On 2/3/13 19:50 , Chris O'Connell wrote:
> I have trouble thinking that a 9
> year old will be able to find a creative use for Linux, as the OS is pretty
> complicated and requires a lot of knowledge.  Further, why would someone so
> young like to play with a somewhat primitive Gnome interface when they have
> an Android Tablet and a Windows laptop at their disposal?

because you can hack linux.

if the kid is a self-starter, you just need to give him appropriate 
tools. maybe lego mindstorms ... ? a bit pricy, but if he's got some 
gifts in this area, you could really get him going. not quite open 
source to start, but he is only 9 years old fer cryin out loud. he has 
the rest of his life to consider the benefits of community and the 
corporate profit model ...

but also, when he seems ready for solder, think about an arduino ...

-- 
\js [http://or8.net/~johns/] : i am alive