** Benjamin Ashton <benashtonlakeland@???> [2007-11-05 13:49]:
<<snip>>
> What I like about such a system is:
>
> a) I think it would be stimulating for John to work on a different Operating System
>
> b) I plan to spend ~£100 and I can get a lot more bangs for my buck if I don't have to spend half the budget on Microsoft
>
> c) From what I can gather, there are a multitude of programs written for Linux which John and I could download from the library internet on to a USB memory stick (we plan to get the internet some time in the future, budget allowing).
>
> d) I understand that John would be able to use his digital camera via USB on Ubuntu and put his photos on to a DVD/CD
>
> e) I've been told that Ubuntu has a C compiler built in to it. I think that I would enjoy teaching, and John would enjoy learning, C.
>
> f) I am interested in the whole OpenSource network idea and think that it would be of interest to John. From what I gather, Opensource programmes can be customised and improved and then offered back to the internet. I understand that this would be too difficult a process that requires a lot of computing skills for John at the moment, but I also know that he is a very determined little man that might well be inspired by such possiblities.
>
> What does anyone think about my plan? Am I barking up the wrong tree? Are there any major drawbacks that I am unaware of?
>
> If we did decide to get such a set up then would John be able to accompany me to some of the HantsLUG meetings (judging from your emails, these would prob. be too technical for the near future), or would that be considered inappropriate bearing in mind his age ( I quite understand an adults only rule) ?
>
> If anybody can give me some advice that would be very much appreciated.
** end quote [Benjamin Ashton]
Most of the technical side of this has been answered by other posters
aready, so I won't cover that too much. My personal opinion is that
Linux and open source is probably the best way to properly learn about
computers, although I would add the proviso here that once you get into
the real world (a long way off I know) there are many employers that
currently won't see it that way and simply look for Microsoft
experience. Whilst my opinion is more fool them, and as an employer I
would prefer a proper understanding, at some point being able to quote
MS apps on a CV may tick a box otherwise missed. I'd say that getting
the understanding from Linux/OpenOffice/etc. and then applying to
Windows/MS Office/etc. give you a far better understanding that you get
in schools these days!
As for bringing John along to meetings, I would say that supervised (as
no doubt you would plan anyway) would be a good way to build enthusiasm
and further both his and your knowledge. Perhaps you would do well to
come along to a meet on your own first to get a feel for things.
I have brought my son along to a few meetings, and he is 6. I've
generally had backup of a few things for him to do in case he gets bored
and always been ready to leave early if necessary. In my case his
interest is to join me at the meeting that I'd be going to anyway (and
play Pingus or Frozen Bubble!). In the past we have had college aged
kids dropped off by their parents - actually this is going back a bit,
around 7 years at a guess as I know one of them is working at Red Hat
now :)
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