[Hidden-tech] Computer for kids - how to convert

[Stephen Michel]

To me, these are are downsides:

> 2. has very good parental controls, whereas a standard Linux 
> installation like Ubuntu can always be subverted
> 3. doesn't allow them free access to programs and the Internet.

Being hard to tinker with makes locked-down devices a poor choice for 
encouraging intellectual curiosity. Open devices teach that if you 
don't like your environment, you can work to change it. I think that's 
an important life lesson, not just in computers; among other things, 
it's important for a functioning democracy.

This may be more controversial, but I also don't believe in trying to 
prevent humans, however small, from ever engaging with "bad stuff". I 
don't think technical barriers are a good substitute for open 
communication and trust. Better to talk about these topics, where you 
have control over the framing, than wait for children to discover them 
in a different context. Now, these conversation can happen too soon, so 
I'm not opposed to weak parental controls. But, by the time a kid has 
figured out how to bypass those controls, they're probably also ready 
for that conversation. Finally, figuring out how to bypass the controls 
involves a fair amount of learning — an excellent educational 
outcome, even if not ideal from other perspectives.

So, I'm also in favor of installing a full linux distro. If these 
computers will belong to the kids permanently, I might even suggest 
providing the older kids with a small flash drive (4-8GB) and a 
suggestion to try out different distributions.
--
I try to write short, functional emails.

On Wed, Apr 15, 2020 at 11:19, Rich at OTN via Hidden-discuss 
<hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
> Interesting comparison.
>  Major notes about ChromeOS
>           1) The publizied download ChromeOS is nothing specific to 
> Google (regardless of URL) and is heavy ad-infested.
>           2) The Neverware version is far newer.
> 
> SO the place to get ChromeOS is<https://archiveos.org/croslinux/>
>  While actually comes from an archive on sourceforge:
> <https://sourceforge.net/projects/archiveos/files/c/cros/>
> 
> The neverware is not free (since they maintain it) - more on that as 
> I contact them.
> 
> On 4/15/2020 10:27 AM, Sam McClellan via Hidden-discuss wrote:
>> Hey Rich,
>> 
>>  You probably know a fair amount about Chromium vs Chrome OS by now, 
>> but I've included all the info here for general consumption.
>> 
>>  Chrome OS is Chromium OS redesigned for Google's Chromebooks but is 
>> also available for PCs. Chrome OS is designed for end users, whereas 
>> Chromium OS is designed for developers/geeks and requires more 
>> knowledge and maintenance and has less functionality targeted to 
>> kids and regular users.
>> <https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chromium-os-faq>
>> 
>>  Chrome OS is a good choice for kids for five reasons -
>> 
>>  1. designed to be simple to set up and maintain
>>  2. has very good parental controls, whereas a standard Linux 
>> installation like Ubuntu can always be subverted
>>  3. doesn't allow them free access to programs and the Internet.
>>  4. set up to be used by schools and kids
>>  5. can now also run many Android apps
>> 
>>  The downsides:
>>  1. It's very reliant on an Internet connection and can't run Linux 
>> or Windows apps (although the alternatives can run Linux apps)
>>  2. If you don't have an actual Chromebook, there are some 
>> limitations although the alternatives can make up for these.
>>  3. you have to be part of The Google to use it.
>> 
>>  You can download ChromeOS for regular PC's here:
>> <https://sites.google.com/site/chromeoslinux/download> which just 
>> links to
>> <http://getchrome.eu/download.php>
>>  but the first link at least shows you it's actually a Google 
>> download.
>> 
>>  However, most reviews say that Neverware's version of Chrome OS is 
>> the best:
>> <https://www.neverware.com/freedownload#intro-text>
>> 
>>  Here's a good recent review:
>> <https://www.electromaker.io/blog/article/flint-os-vs-chromium-os-vs-cloudready-which-chrome-os-is-best>
>> 
>>  Other options for kids:
>> 
>> <https://www.pcworld.com/article/2030685/make-your-pc-kid-friendly-with-four-custom-operating-systems.html>
>> 
>>  Best,
>>  Sam
>> 
>>  Sam McClellan
>> *Itabix, Inc*
>> /One place for all things Web/
>> sam at itabix.com <mailto:sam at itabix.com>
>> https://itabix.com <https://itabix.com/>
>>  Main - 413.587.4600
>>  Toll-free - 877-7ITABIX (877.748.2249)
>> 
>> On 4/14/2020 8:27 AM, Rich at tnr via Hidden-discuss wrote:
>>> All,
>>>  I need some suggestions, I'm being asked to process a batch of 
>>> Dell laptops for the local school kids.
>>> 
>>>  SO I need to
>>>      (1) Wipe the hard drives
>>>      (2) install a chromebook (like) environment so they can use 
>>> typical virtual school sw.
>>> 
>>>  I'd prefer something free or close.
>>> 
>>>  I found 'Chromium OS'
>>> 
>>>  Any specific suggestions as to which of each you've had experience 
>>> with.
>>>  I will collect the suggestions as well as the results and post on 
>>> HT web site
>>>  This is for the Greenfield school kids, if anyone is handling 
>>> other areas, please let me know and I'll make a list.
>>> 
>>>  (BTW, which has a set of covid-19 health and business (CARES act) 
>>> details.
>>> 
>>>  Thanks - Happy Tails and Stay healthy.
>>> 
>> 
>> 
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