Re: [seul-edu] Cooperation on kid-oriented software

[Justin Zeigler <zqc@zqc.com>]

| As you point out, the user interfaces problem isn't covered, and isn't
| specifically "owned" by any of these groups.  It was raised as a
subgoal
| of Debian-Jr, but Debian isn't in the business of user interface
design,
| nor is Debian-Jr.  It seems the only group above that might have it in
| their mandate is SEUL/edu, so why don't you guys take the lead and
we'll
| see what we can do with your work (we, meaning Debian-Jr)?

um I am not Sure if this applies but,

At the schools we have been doing here (tucson AZ, harry and gang)I 
have been in charge of the UI. I feel there are some very important 
factors to consider when doing a UI for kids, EASE OF USE, AVAILABILITY 
and yes pretty colors. Multiple virtual desktops, the ability to place 
a window when it comes up, and hiding apps are things that most of us 
view as essential in a window manager, but quite often are confusing 
for kids. When a child cant find an app because it is hidden in a maze 
of menus she/he will generally get frustrated and quit. A background 
image of a favorite character or animal is always a hit.

I use iceWM as the window manager in schools, it has a common interface
that is reckognizeable by most people, the configuration scripts are 
very easy to understand and edit, icepref (a python app) makes 
configuration accesible for almost everybody and the Gnome intergration 
is excellent. Thanks to the fact that ice does not cache its menus it is
very easy to change the programs available while ice is still running.
Right now we are useing custom shell scripts called inmenu, outmenu, and 
setmenu that allow teachers to set menus according to need, they are 
used like this: "inmenu games", "outmenu games" and say you only want
the
class to do typing then "setmenu typist"

For the younger kids (2-5 my own kids are this age)I suggest a simple 
session without a window manager that uses large icons representing 
software that is appropriate for the age, and the kid clicks on the 
icon to start the program. This can be done with coolicons, gmc, kfm
(I think never used it) and many other apps that throw launchers on the
desktop. Just be sure to set in the command line the Xgeometry you want
the window to display at, and an exit/kill shortcut is always nice.

It is late my spell check is broke and I must sleep

Justin Zeigler (zqc@zqc.com)