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MadPenguin Announces TykeLinux Project

Posted by timothy on from the tux-for-tots dept.

TheMadPenguin writes "MadPenguin.org announces today its TykeLinux (current working title) project, a Linux distro geared toward child development and learning. The distribution will be based and built upon Ark Linux 1.0a7.1 and the KDE 3.1.x desktop environment. It will include several educational tools, as well as cross-platform compatible office applications. If you are an interested software developer, please read the full announcement and get on board :)"

9 comments

  1. Why do we need such a specific distro? by schoolsucks · · Score: 0

    Won't a suite of such software do the trick?

    1. Re:Why do we need such a specific distro? by TheMadPenguin · · Score: 3, Informative

      Yes it would actually, but our idea is to build a system that "runs out of the box". Something so simple to set up and use that most windows and mac converts will be able to be instantly productive. In speaking with Bero from Ark, we will probably also package a suite as an additional ISO... probably for the Ark distro, but I don't see why we couldn't further that effort for other distros as well.

      --
      Linux with kernel panic...
      MadPenguin.org
    2. Re:Why do we need such a specific distro? by Mr.+Nigger · · Score: 2, Funny

      I always knew Linux was nothing more than a childs plaything.

    3. Re:Why do we need such a specific distro? by BigBir3d · · Score: 1

      haha

      Seriously, I am downloading Ark now to check it out. Nothing wrong with another distro to play with :)

  2. Also announcing by BortQ · · Score: 1
    Rocket science for kids. Get your children on the fast track by enrolling them in TykeBlasts, the only orbital vehicle with no height requirement!!!

    legalese: TykeBlasts is not responsible for any burning/exploding/smushing/hurt feelings that may be encountered by your child. Use at your own risk.

    --

    A Multiplayer Strategy Game for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux
  3. Why the negativity? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Why is most everyone here being negative toward this idea? They are talking about children here... and I for one think it's an excellent idea. Though I must point out that others are doing the same thing already with varying degrees of success.

    You guys should at least give them some credit for wanting to make a difference. By the looks of it so far, they won't get any development help...

  4. At last by evilad · · Score: 1

    A distro that's easy to install.

  5. Great idea! by weeboo0104 · · Score: 1

    I was thinking of doing something like this myself. My motivation was slightly different though. I have an African Grey parrot named Elmo who likes to watch me work on my computer. I wanted to figure out a way to give my bird some sort of interface device (like one of those kiddy keyboards at CompUSA) and build a simple graphical interface maybe based on WindowMaker. I couldn't think of a good (parrot proof) keyboard that she could use, so I was thinking that maybe I could use voice recognition as a method of controlling the interface. I wanted to give her the choice of looking at pictures, watching video (maybe Teletubbies or Sesame Street), or listening to music.

    This has already been done by a researcher at MIT. Dr. Irene Pepperberg has been researching the cognitive abilities of African Grey parrots for 20+ years. The basis for her research is a method of training called "Model/Rival" and the value of intrinsic vs. extrinsic rewards. She has an interface they called the Interpet explorer. The parrot uses a joystick to choose menu options. It's pretty cool.

    Oh yeah, this isn't a belated April fools joke.

    --
    It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
    1. Re:Great idea! by TheMadPenguin · · Score: 1

      And how does that relate? heheh :)

      --
      Linux with kernel panic...
      MadPenguin.org