John,
It really looks like Edubuntu "has it all" when it comes to the Linux
side of the equation. Everything I thought off initially is there along
with a whole lot more. Other than that, my thoughts would be to aim for
diversity. Windows, Mac and Linux should all be represented, allowing
these children to gain exposure to all of them. My own children cut
their teeth on Win95 and Linux and are now fluent across the board and
can feel at home on just about any OS around that provides a GUI. My
younger daughter has just discovered Black Box. Linux offers a plethora
of different desktops and room for lots of exploration. Live CD's are
also a great suggestion. How that all gets weighed out is probably up
to your client to decide. My thoughts would also weigh in on the side
of proceeding slowly allowing the club to have a look at all three
choices before proceeding with more systems. Additional Linux systems
could take the form of Linux Terminal Server as Jose suggests, adding
yet another facit on the educational side and at the same time doing it
very efficiently. As for new hardware, I recommend without hesitation a
company in Houston called directron.com. I have done business with them
for years and whether its components, systems w/o OS or the whole
shebang, I have found them to be straight shooters with great pricing
and selection and great customer service. But certainly another thing
to consider would be to see what kind of deep discounts you might get
from local vendors who might be willing to contribute part of their cost
as a donation. Additionally, you might want to check on some of the
major software vendors (including Microsoft) who might be willing to
offer steep discounts on commercial educational software. You might be
amazed to discover how far you can stretch that small grant.
- George
McBrearty, John wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Along with another volunteer through RTC I'm helping out the Boys and
> Girls Club of Humboldt County with some of their technology planning.
> They have received promise of a small grant but are also looking for
> recommendations (and possible equipment donations) for upgraded
> computers for their after school club in Eureka for 6 to 12
> year-olds. (They have a separate teen center which already has
> computers, but that is a different venue.)
>
> I'm just asking for your thoughts as far as suitable equipment and
> software for kids in that 6 to 12 age group. Are there any open
> source suites for kids' games, artwork, etc.? Would looking toward
> Macs be an advantage? (I should mention that they do have Internet
> access for the machines through Cox Cable.)
>
> The path of least resistance would probably be to get some newish low
> end PCs with Windows XP running on them, since some kids evidently
> bring in their Wintel-compatible games from home. But since they can
> play games anytime, the Club is trying to see if they can get them
> interested in more creative stuff like drawing, painting or
> scrap-booking applications, and would like to have the hardware and
> software to make that as easy as possible for kids 6 to 12. At
> present the Club is open to all options. If you have any suggestions,
> please let know.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
> 476-4165
>
> P.S. Again a reminder that the Redwood Technology Consortium holiday
> gathering is tonight, 5:30 to 7:00 at the Plaza Grill in Arcata,
> no-host bar and all techies welcome!
>
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