Difference between revisions of "COMP 3000 2011 Report: DoudouLinux"
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[[File:doudou.png|thumb|right| '''Figure 4''' Applications grouped in Categories ]] | [[File:doudou.png|thumb|right| '''Figure 4''' Applications grouped in Categories ]] | ||
The DoudouLinux design goals are, in my view, met and exceed.The system runs fast since there is less configuration to do.The graphics are very colorful and suggestive. | The DoudouLinux design goals are, in my view, met and exceed.The system runs fast since there is less configuration to do.The graphics are very colorful and suggestive.<br> | ||
Depending on the age of the child,the mouse speed can be easily adjusted as well as the sound output. | Depending on the age of the child,the mouse speed can be easily adjusted as well as the sound output. | ||
In some applications,hovering the mouse on an item provides sound instruction. The system contain plenty of interactive and tactile-experice tools that respond to single-clicks for better ease-of-use. | In some applications,hovering the mouse on an item provides sound instruction. <br> | ||
The system contain plenty of interactive and tactile-experice tools that respond to single-clicks for better ease-of-use. | |||
Since window management would presumably be tricky with young children,all the applications or game run in full-screen mode. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:32, 18 October 2011
Part 1
Background
Doudou” is a french word for the teddy bear or blanket that children love to carry around and hug. In that context,DoudouLinux is a GNU/Linux distribution designed for young children from age two to seven.<ref name = "DoudouLinux: You know, for kids">Linux info from the source (Last accessed October 17, 2011).</ref>
It is a system that aims at making computer use as easy and pleasant as possible for children. Founded by the French Jean-Michel Philippe,its first release “Gondwana” was released in June 2011 and is based on a minimal Debian “Lenny” linux system.
DoudouLinux is officially available in 25 languages<ref name = "DistroWatch">DistroWatch (Last accessed October 17, 2011).</ref> and can be downloaded it on the DoudouLinux [www.doudoulinux.org/ homepage] as an ISO image file of approximately 693 MB in size.
Installation/Startup
Installation
The minimum requirements to run DoudouLinux are:<ref name = "Requierements">Downloads (Last accessed October 18, 2011).</ref>
- 256 MB memory
- 800 MHz processor
- 800×600 dots display
I used VMWare Workstation and allocated 8GB for the virtual machine and 512MB of RAM.
The installation is fairly easy and fast(around 30 seconds)[Figure 1]
No problems were encountered since there is minimal system configuration or management options and the system does not request setting up a username and password.
Startup
At boot time,there is an "Activities Menu" displayed that offers seven session options: [Figure 2]
- Gamine
- Pysycache
- Childsplay
- TuxPaint
- GCompris
- Mini DoudouLinux
- Whole DoudouLinux
The first five options are single applications sessions while Mini DoudouLinux is a session with a reduced set of applications offered.
The Whole DoudouLinux option was choosen.
Basic Operation
As shown in the activities menu(Figure 2) the applications are ordered by increasing difficulty.From the two year old child who discovers the mouse(Gamine and Pysycache) to more experienced users with educational suites such as Childsplay and GCompris
In the Whole DoudouLinux session,close to fifty applications are offered and they are grouped in categories(i.e Work,Learn,Enjoy) that have their own tab in DoudouLinux application Launcher.[Figure 4]
The general games category includes standard puzzle and non-violent arcade fare, plus some common card and board games.
Hours were spent playing the games from the Enjoy category.
Usage Evaluation
The DoudouLinux design goals are, in my view, met and exceed.The system runs fast since there is less configuration to do.The graphics are very colorful and suggestive.
Depending on the age of the child,the mouse speed can be easily adjusted as well as the sound output.
In some applications,hovering the mouse on an item provides sound instruction.
The system contain plenty of interactive and tactile-experice tools that respond to single-clicks for better ease-of-use.
Since window management would presumably be tricky with young children,all the applications or game run in full-screen mode.
References
<references />
Part 2
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Part 3
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