8.10:     Kids stuff

While there is no kids stuff provided with the default MEPIS Linux 7.0 installation besides a few games, there is a great deal available through Synaptic or from online resources. You can also search Debian testing for junior- to find packages associated with the DebianJr project (see Links and Guides). The following suggestions will give you a sense of what is available.

Education

• Childsplay: -- suite of educational games for young children.
  Childsplay: http://childsplay.sourceforge.net/
• GCompris -- suite of educational games for children aged 2 to 10.
  GCompris home page: http://www.gcompris.net/
• Lletters -- fun games help children learn their letters, numbers, and spelling.
  Linux Letters and Numbers home page: http://lln.sourceforge.net/
• TuxType -- typing tutor. Kids type in the letter or word on a falling fish and tux eats the fish if they're right.
  TuxType home page: http://tuxtype.sourceforge.net/
• TuxMath -- arithmetic learning game. Similar to the classic "Missile Command" game, except to shoot down the falling bombs kids must solve a mathematical problem and type in the answer.
  TuxMath home page: http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxmath/

Desktop Fun

• Xpenguins -- penguins walk around your screen. Can be customized with other characters like Lemmings and Pooh Bear (need to enable "allow programs to run in root window" in KDE).
  Xpenguins home page: http://xpenguins.seul.org/
• Oneko -- a cat (neko) follows your cursor (the mouse) around the screen. Can be customized with a dog or other animal.
  How to use Oneko: http://dailypackage.fedorabook.com/index.php?/archives/32-Friday-Fun-Oneko-A-sneaky-old-cat.html
• Xteddy -- put a cute teddy on your desktop. Alternatively you can add your own image.
  Xteddy homepage: http://staffwww.itn.liu.se/~stegu/xteddy/index.html

Graphics

• TuxPaint -- fun and easy to use drawing program for young children. Sound effects and a cartoon character help let the user know what's going on, and keeps them entertained.
  TuxPaint home page: http://www.tuxpaint.org/
• Ktuberling -- "Mr Potato Head" type game for small children. Choose from a Potato, Penguin, or Underwater canvas/accessory sets.
  Ktuberling home page: http://opensource.bureau-cornavin.com/ktuberling/

Links and Guides

• KDE Education: http://edu.kde.org/
• Linux for kids: http://www.linuxforkids.org/
• Using Linux with kids: http://www.fraw.org.uk/download/cltc/cltc_pb-02.html
• DebianJr: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianJr
• Debian search: http://search.debian.org/

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