OS for kids???

[thiscat2000]

I am either looking for a complete OS for youngs kids or a skin kind of like Talisman desktop that when the kid logs into her account it is kid proof and just generally more kid friendly. Have acctivities built into the program would be helpful. Thanks for the help.

Kyle

[thiscat2000]

anyone???

[DarkWolf]

There's not really anything like that for a full computer. You can either get them one of those "leap frog" type machines, and some companies are producing educational games for PS2/XBox/GameCube.

Your only real option on a full computer is to set up a cheap e-machine or something, with Windows 95 or 98 and get a bunch of the educational software that's available. I say 95 or 98 because most of the educational software is so poorly coded, and wreaks havoc on NT based systems (even though they claim it works). Most of them are coded with a DOS backend in mind anyway.

If you want to stick with XP for the newer theme's (beyond just icons, colors and fonts like previous Windows versions), I'd recommend XP Home, again on a e-machine or some similar cheap PC that isn't going to be used by anyone else (ie: don't try to take a "family PC" and kid proof it, just get the kid a cheap PC of their own)

Easiest way to make sure they can't access the internet is to not have a modem/network card in the system. The other option is to keep the modem/network card in the system, but password protect the login, and make time to superivse them while they're using the computer. Make it part of your normal play-time, rather than using some obtrusive "net nanny" type bullshit. That way they can have the computer for playing games that you can play along with them, and they can use it as they get older for using the internet to do research for various homework assignments, and you don't have to worry about a "net nanny" program blocking a legitimate site that they may need to get to for whatever reason, which happens more often than not.

[thiscat2000]

She is only 3 and this is only her computer. I am worried about the internet yet but in the future I will be. I don't want any of you old farts talking dirty to my little girl :P

[DarkWolf]

Take a look around www.themexp.org and see if you can find a theme that'd be suitable for a child. Since it's her own PC, it's pretty easy from here. Maybe even remove the modem/network card for now, until you're ready to teach her about the internet, and supervise her while she's learning.

Here's a few that might be of interest:
Bright Colors (http://www.themexp.org/preview.php?mid=85999&type=vs&view=date&page=&cat=&name=MSN+Spaces.zip)
Pastels (http://www.themexp.org/preview.php?mid=82115&type=vs&view=date&page=&cat=&name=Win+MX+Grape.zip)
Purple (http://www.themexp.org/preview.php?mid=72146&type=vs&view=date&page=&cat=&name=Aqua+purple.zip)
Purple with some weird toothy thing (http://www.themexp.org/preview.php?mid=73016&type=vs&view=date&page=&cat=&name=Toothy.zip)
Pink (http://www.themexp.org/preview.php?mid=66520&type=vs&view=date&page=&cat=&name=itemPINK.zip)

[exlude]

[QUOTE=DarkWolf]
Purple with some weird toothy thing (http://www.themexp.org/preview.php?mid=73016&type=vs&view=date&page=&cat=&name=Toothy.zip)[/QUOTE]

WTF? Is it running with scissors in the start menu?

[RiSk]

use something like blackbox 4 windows and gen your own theme so she can no dig around on the PC make icons only

[RiSk]

http://www.fuckthatmess.com/files/untitled.JPG

a really quick one i made

[thiscat2000]

Where can I download blackbox?

Kyle

[NeoRaZor]

[QUOTE=thiscat2000]Where can I download blackbox?

Kyle[/QUOTE]


http://www.bb4win.org/news.php