How can I connect Linux with Teenagers?

[Andrew Mathenge]

I agree that demonstrating the desktop is probably where you're going to get
any interest at all. Compiz/Beryl/XGL is definitely something that makes the
desktop interesting to use. Under Synaptic, there are a lot of games, plus
other software items. One of the myths around Linux was that it was
difficult to use and geared towards techies so showing off the desktop and
some of the cool applications that come with Ubuntu in Synaptic should at
least turn some heads.

Then there's the issue of surfing the web. Unfortunately, there are some web
sites (e.g. MSN gaming zone) that will only play under Internet Explorer.
But then again, there are sites like Yahoo!'s game zone that's fair to
Firefox and Opera. Chatting online with friends can be achieved through
Gaim/Pidgin or going to safe multiplayer sites.

One good thing with Open Source is that most applications for Linux also
have Windows versions. Some of my favourite ones do. So for my die hard
Windows friends, at least I can get them playing with Open Source
applications on their Windows PCs to start with. At least it's a step in the
right direction.

Andrew Mathenge

On 10/21/07, Cody A.W. Somerville <cody-somerville at ubuntu.com> wrote:
>
> Hey,
>
>  I've always found that demonstrating the desktop is very attractive -
> especially with XGL fun. Other key hitters is no viruses or spyware.
> Unfortunately, not being able to play their favorite game is usually a deal
> breaker.
>
>  Thanks,
>
> Cody A.W. Somerville
>
> On 10/21/07, Sanjay Sodhi <sanjay.sodhi at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi there.
> > I've recently started gathering some of the kids in my school one day a
> > week after school, to get them interested in Linux. I've got a few people
> > who are genuinely interested in coming down regularly, but I've started to
> > run into the problem of attracting new people.
> >
> > I mean, there are people who will consider it, and there are people who
> > won't. Both crowds tend to get scared off quite quickly, and that's a huge
> > obstacle to recruitment. I've been trying to think of ways to dispel the
> > usual myths and to get people coming down.
> >
> > I think a lot of it is wow-factor, but people don't give me the time to
> > wow them!
> >
> > Currently, my list of things to do is largely limited to talking to the
> > Computer Science classes and showing off Beryl/Compiz/Fusion/XGL/whatever
> > the hell it is now/ (I'd much rather have a professional with solid
> > experience come in...if anyone is interested, I'd be exceedingly glad to
> > have you)
> >
> > Once I've got Linux installed on PCs (I'm talking to the Administration
> > about it at the moment), I think people will be more open to the idea,
> > especially if they can log on and give it a go whenever.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> > --
> > Sanjay Sodhi
> > I make websites me.
> > --
> > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> >
> >
>
>
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>
>
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