Hello all,
So I have this old Samsung RV520 laptop. You can see the specs there. I’ve installed and reinstalled a few different linux distros on it for the past 12 years or so, the last one being Arch (btw) which is what I use as my daily driver on my main desktop as well (by the btw). But I really don’t need this laptop anymore, so I was thinking I’d give it as a birthday present to my friend’s son, who turns 2 this month. It would be used as a “media station” to basically just play kids’ videos from Youtube.
The problem is that I basically need to install an extremely windows-like (or otherwise simple) distro on it, because while my linux-fu is somewhat high level, my friend uses windows daily so system maintenance must be simple. Ubuntu is for me the obvious choice, but I’m not sure if the laptop can even run it anymore :D of course the HDD in it is also 16 years old and I’m pretty sure I’ll upgrade it to an SSD before set up. So, taking all this preamble into account, what would you recommend? Some Ubuntu-derivative, pure Debian, maybe even Arch with linux-lts? Give me your thoughts!
I’m sorry to judge you, but I don’t think a 2 year old should be using a computer.
I think it’s important for kids to learn how to really use a computer (instead of just a smartphone), but it’s mostly important to show them they can have fun away from screens.
I really don’t want to start arguing against this sentiment, because I agree with it. But the kid in question is not my son, and however much I personally don’t agree with using a screen as much as my friends have with the kid, I also understand why it has come to this (that the kid’s parents had decided to use a screen to calm him down, which it does) and how different peoples’ life situations can be. Also it’s not like he’s completely swallowed by the bright lights and colours and noises the screen provides, at least as far as I can tell, as whenever I am or anyone else is around he likes to do other things as well (such as playing with his physical toys or engaging in other activies kids like to do, such as climbing furniture and doing somersaults and stuff) though I’m obviously not there all the time. Also he goes to daycare where the screentime is minimized I assume, and more emphasis is given to social education and stuff.
And this laptop wouldn’t even be his first, this would be basically an upgrade over the old, beaten-up laptop his dad has had laying around.
So yes, thank you (all of you, other comments as well) for your concern for this child’s wellbeing. We will continue doing what we can towards doing the best we can with the information we have at the given moment.
2 years old need to learn interaction with other people.
That’s how they learn language.
So, spend time with them, not the screen. Screen time will come by itself.
In fact there’s data of development delays if kids are exposed to screen at early ages. That is because our eyes like movement, but screen picture doesn’t provide meaningful world context. Especially games.
Only personal interaction gives words in meaningful action context.
My wife is speech pathologist, so I am sharing what I wax told.
We have a friend, who didn’t listen to no screen time. Kid is delayed in development. It is serious staff and yet so simple to prevent.
Give your kids all the time you can in 1st several years.
Yes, I agree, and I do believe the kid’s parents would also agree. And it’s not like the kid is given free reign to roam the internet, looking for the most cancerous, brain rotting, worst AI-slob the internet can provide, no. It’s more like a TV basically, with age appropriate shows running in the background, and in our own language no less. He basically seems to occasionally take like a breather of sorts, stopping for something to bite or a sip of his milk or whatever, before running along with his childish endeavors.
But yeah, absolutely. Too much screentime in early childhood can and will lead to developmental delays, and in order to raise the optimal human being one should optimize every aspect of the child’s life, adjusting at optimal intervals all according to the child’s personal development. But you know, life doesn’t work like that. And yet, as I just stated to the comment you replied to, I am thankful for your concern; we’re all trying to do our best for this kid. If my little gift of an old laptop can bring joy and happiness into that little dude’s life, that is basically enough for me.
Totally. Please keep kids away from screens as long as possible.
For this laptop I recommend mx linux fluxbox edition. You also have a 32 bit version.
The biggest problem in my mind is not only the fact of having a computer but much more to see this “”“”“for kid”“”“”" videos. YouTube and the internet is not a place for kids, and 2 years old is really really young to use this
I started with Commodore 64 when I was two and I turned out passible
I used a computer without any hard limits since I was 2 and I turned out
homose🏳️🌈just fine.Actually on second thought I have crushing depression and feel terribly unsatisfied at my job as a software engineer, maybe you have a point.