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Educational Linux Distro Provides Tech-Bundle For Kids and Educators

Posted by samzenpus on from the learning-linus dept.

First time accepted submitter Jason Hibbets writes "Ubermix is a version of Linux designed for kids and educators. In this interview with Jim Klein, founder of Ubermix, we discover a Linux distribution designed with kids, education, and educators in mind. This could change the way our the next generation learns about Linux and open source software like Celestia, Stellarium, Scratch, VirtualLab Microscope, iGNUit, and more."

6 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Qimo is my favorite by Wycliffe · · Score: 4, Informative

    It is especially good for younger kids but has alot of apps for older
    kids as well. http://www.qimo4kids.com/
    All the other ones I personally tried out seemed to have problems
    with sound cards, booting, etc....

  2. Re:Incomprehensible Icons by bmo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why not use simple and descriptive language?

    Because "Excel" is just as descriptive?

    Look. Look at the troll and laugh.

    --
    BMO

  3. Re:Oh good, another version of Linux by ozmanjusri · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For a while there I was thinking it wasn't diverse enough.

    Linux is an infinitely versatile tool, that's one of its greatest strengths. A distro is just s version of Linux tuned and configured for a specific purpose, often by people who have a good understanding of their business or social need. It's the fact that they have the freedom to make it work for their purpose instead of accepting someone else's compromises that creates so many distros. Needs are being met.

    Proprietary vendors are desperate to spread FUD on this topic to stop people realising they could have a computer that does what they want, instead of what the vendors grudgingly allow them.

    --
    "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  4. How different from EdUbuntu? by unixisc · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Actually, it is based on Ubuntu, which begs the question - how is this any different, or not a part of Edubuntu?

  5. Good concept by Murdoch5 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This is a great concept, but it falls short because at least in my experience, most of the teachers (educators) I know are computer idiots to put it nicely. The amount of times I would have a question they couldn't answer was sad, even worse is that in grade school ( 1991 - 2000 ) the IT admin also couldn't answer most of them. If a distro exists to help students / educators learn Linux / Computers I think the educators should be the first to get on board and finally globally get those skills where they need to be and not in 1971.

  6. Re:Another one? by serialband · · Score: 3, Informative

    Edubuntu is more for 3-6 year olds. Kids get bored with the selection of the software pretty quickly when they get older. Ubermix seems to be actually geared for school age children, but my the time they're 10, they'll likely tire of some of the "educational" software and start using more of the "Apps" like skype, twitter, facebook, or whatever their replacements may be in the future.