Chapter 11: Creating Archix, Knoppix for Kids


Overview

In this chapter, you actually make your own Knoppix-based distro. The distro is targeted at kids between the ages of 6 and 13, for several reasons.

First, more kids should be using Linux and open source, and Knoppix is a great way to do that. Make it fun and easy to use and kids will start asking for Linux. Then, when they grow up, they'll take their preferences for Linux into the workplace, and Linux can achieve total world domination (cue maniacal laughter)!

Second, the distro can help harried parents. If your brother's kids are visiting, for example, and you don't want them messing around on your Windows machine because you don't want to clean spyware and other garbage off again (for the umpteenth time), boot with your customized Knoppix for kids and your worries are gone. They can have fun and maybe even learn something, and you don't have to spend hours after they leave cleaning off malware.

Third, the cool new distro could be a boon for schools. Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance have been making life miserable for several cash-strapped school districts in recent years. Nothing would be nicer than a switch to more open-source software so that those schools wouldn't have to spend what little money they have on software licenses.

Note 

For information about Microsoft's and the BSA's actions against schools, see http://dir.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/07/10/microsoft_school/index.html?sid=1039938.

Finally, making a version of Knoppix for kids is fun, and once you get the basics down, you can customize it to meet the needs of the kids you know. Follow along with the instructions in this chapter, but then try your own thing. Change the software packages, use different images, and even change the name. Make this a version of Knoppix that your kids (or the kids you know) will enjoy!

Note 

Many of the commands in this chapter must be run as root, but many could be run as a normal user.



Hacking Knoppix
Hacking Knoppix (ExtremeTech)
ISBN: 0764597841
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2007
Pages: 118

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