Why should kids learn Linux

For the future of computing ...

I found this article, dated from 2015, while searching for things to put on a Linux laptop for my little daughter ...

Quote:
I recently read the article, A year of Linux desktop at Westcliff High School, which is an excellent piece by Stu Jarvis in which Malcolm Moore replies to a question by stating, "Here is a survey that reports in 2000, 97% of computing devices had Windows installed, but now with tablets and phones, etc., Windows is only on 20% of computing devices, and in the world of big iron, Linux reigns supreme. We specialise in science and engineering and want our students to go on to do great things like start the next Google or collapse the universe at CERN. In those environments, they will certainly need to know Linux."

Linux runs some of the most complex infrastructures in the world. For anyone even remotely interested in a career in technology, learning Linux will be a definite asset. Besides that, the adoption of Linux is massive and ubiquitous. Consider this:

• Linux powers international space stations
• Linux powers the technology in new cars like Tesla and Cadillac
• Linux powers air traffic control systems
• Google, Facebook, Twitter, all use Linux
• 9 out of 10 supercomputers in the world run on Linux
• There is a rational reason that initiatives like One Laptop per Child, which in my opinion is one of the most powerful programs today that is working to bridge the digital divide, use Linux based systems

For customisation and variety

Learning at an early age can be best enhanced in an environment that encourages exploration. There is no other operating system that offers such variety and autonomy to customise the system based on specific needs like Linux. Like toys and clothes for kids, the Linux community has developed specific operating systems that can offer them a fun learning environment. I believe that to boost curiosity in kids, it is important to create a set up that gives them a feeling of wonder.

Programs to teach kids Linux

There are many different varieties of environments that the Linux community has designed for the children, and I haven't yet explored them all, but of the ones I did, you should be able to find a great solution for teaching a kid you know about Linux and computing.
End-Quote.

misinformation, gossip, lack of foreign language skills, etc.

By Ekhart

Posted Wednesday 15th August 2007 12:47 GMT

I can understand that ZDNet and other superficial
news outlets make money mainly by spreading rumors, but i'd have
thought the Register would do some serious investigating before
claiming that the law indiscriminately criminalises the creation,
possession, or even use of dual-use security tools.

Maybe the problem is that almost no English speakers speak German
(or any other foreign language) and that even most English-speaking
journalists(!) don't speak German. And German politicians haven't had
time to explain the new law to the rest of the world since even most
Germans, even and especially geeks, haven't yet understood or wanted to
understand it and/or want to disparage the law because it restricts
their self-proclaimed "right" to enter other people's computers and/or
because they love bashing Germany...

The main problem is that the Internet started out and is still a
Wild West and that the technology involved makes simple things look
complicated and/or lets "experts" make it look complicated to normal
users. Very few people would claim that it should be legal for people
to try to physically break into businesses or that this would help
prevent crime. Even if hordes of people were running around at night
getting kicks and "glory" by trying to break into businesses, no amount
of security experts could confuse normal people into believing this is
a good idea. Normal users are beginning to understand enough about
computers to see that most of the experts claiming the same kind of
nonsense about attempts to break into business ICT networks are
emperors without clothes. No wonder the politicians are finally doing
something to clean up the mess that produces incredible profits for the
security industry...

http://www.gruene-bundestag.de/cms/default/dok/185/185882.gesetz_zur_computerkriminalitaet.htm

Nun ist klargestellt: es werden nur solche Computerprogramme
erfasst, die in erster Linie dafür hergestellt wurden, um damit
Straftaten zu begehen. Dass sich ein Computerprogramm dazu lediglich
"eignet", reicht nicht, um eine Strafbarkeit zu begründen - es muss
sich der Sache nach um "Schadsoftware" handeln. Diese Klarstellung
macht deutlich: dual-use-tools werden von der Strafnorm nicht erfasst,
ihre Entwickler werden nicht kriminalisiert. Auch der branchenübliche
befugte und gewollte Einsatz von Computerprogrammen durch
Netzwerkadministratoren, mit denen diese z.B. die Sicherheit von
eigenen oder Kundendatennetzen prüfen wollen, wird von der Strafnorm
nicht erfasst. In Zweifelsfällen wird helfen, dass es sich um ein
Antragsdelikt handelt - ohne Strafantrag des betroffenen
Datennetzinhabers ist also ein Strafverfahren ausgeschlossen. Darüber
hinaus war für uns Grüne die Klarstellung wichtig, dass das Gesetz in
erster Linie auf professionelle Anbieter abzielt.

Original: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/13/german_anti-hacker_law/comments/#c_46350

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