At the moment we all know that Microsoft Windows is still the most used OS in the planet and others are catching up pretty fast.

After reading a post on Techrepublic earlier today, the blogger asked the question above. So felt I should direct it to whoever is interested.

Again the question is (Which operating system do you think is the best choice for children? Linux? Windows? OS X?)


Everyone is welcome to respond to this question and please do state your reasons 'cos it will help educate others.


Please lets point to areas like:

Security
UI
Interaction
Cost
Accessibility

and every other stuffs you feel others need to know.

Thanks

nazzyon:

At the moment we all know that Microsoft Windows is still the most used OS in the planet and others are catching up pretty fast.

After reading a post on Techrepublic earlier today, the blogger asked the question above. So felt I should direct it to whoever is interested.

Again the question is (Which operating system do you think is the best choice for children? Linux? Windows? OS X?)


Everyone is welcome to respond to this question and please do state your reasons 'cos it will help educate others.


Please lets point to areas like:

Security
UI
Interaction
Cost
Accessibility

and every other stuffs you feel others need to know.

Thanks

well its a bad question!! very subjective and open to needs/requirements. it depends on what u wanna teach them.

but for cost, im sure u know the winner.
security too,

the other factors, subject to the individual

well i think OLPC (one laptop per child) has a custom linux disto which they preinstall on their XO machines called Sugar OS. it is linux (redhat/fedora) based and uses a custom window manager/UI which is specifically geared for children. it also has some features which i think can only be enjoyed if ur using the XO laptop but i think u can still use that UI for children effectively. i can't really categorize it effectively under the criterion you listed but since it is linux based, i believe it has inherited its advantages which will give it a plus in security, cost, and UI (in this case, Sugar). as for Interaction and Assessibility, i believe that is subjective

an alternative which i am more familiar with is , you guessed it, Ubuntu. or more specifically, ubuntu netbook edition. the huge colorful buttons will be inviting to a child and will encourage him/her to explore the system.

you however, might also consider introducing the child to windows especially if u envisage a future in IT for that child cos to be realistic, windows is what he/she will encounter alot in school while growing up and an introduction to it earlier on will be a plus.

so in essence, i dont think i have helped u much cos i havnt actually answered d question at all