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

Wed Apr 15 17:28:38 UTC 2020

I second Stephen's points, it is important that things are out in the 
open.  Curate the way your kids learn hard topics, don't prevent them 
from learning them.

Aaron E-J
The Other Realm LLC
http://otherrealm.org
http://theotherrealm.org (Blog)

On 2020-04-15 12:43 PM, Stephen Michel via Hidden-discuss wrote:
> 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
>>> 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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