Difference between revisions of "computing for kids"

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(→‎Linux for kids: last, lastlog)
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==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
===Linux for kids===
 
===Linux for kids===
[[Linux]] offers a lot more fine-tuned control of how computers are set up, including who is allowed access and what they are allowed access to. There is even a particular distribution of Ubuntu aimed at kids – [http://edubuntu.org Edubuntu] – but it is designed more for educational contexts than for home use.
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[[Linux]] offers a lot more fine-tuned control of how computers are set up, including who is allowed access and what they are allowed access to. There is even a particular distribution of Ubuntu aimed at kids – [http://edubuntu.org Edubuntu] – but it is designed more for group-educational contexts than for home use. (For example, it assigns fixed [[IP address]]es by default rather than using [[DHCP]].)
  
 
Handy remote-control commands:
 
Handy remote-control commands:
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* {{linuxcmd|ps}} -u <u>username</u>
 
* {{linuxcmd|ps}} -u <u>username</u>
 
** shows what processes the user is currently running; you can {{linuxcmd|kill}} any inappropriate games
 
** shows what processes the user is currently running; you can {{linuxcmd|kill}} any inappropriate games
 
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* {{linuxcmd|last}}
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** Shows logins and other system events for the current month, with timestamps and durations; see [[2006-10-15 sample output from 'last' command]]
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** '''last -f /var/log/wtmp.1''' shows last month's log
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* {{linuxcmd|lastlog}} shows a list of everyone who has ever logged in, the date/time of when they last did so, and for how long they were logged in.
 
To be able to view what kids are seeing remotely (incomplete instructions):
 
To be able to view what kids are seeing remotely (incomplete instructions):
 
* on the kid's machine:
 
* on the kid's machine:

Revision as of 18:14, 15 October 2006

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computing: for kids

Overview

Computers intended for use by children have a specialized set of needs.

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Notes

Linux for kids

Linux offers a lot more fine-tuned control of how computers are set up, including who is allowed access and what they are allowed access to. There is even a particular distribution of Ubuntu aimed at kids – Edubuntu – but it is designed more for group-educational contexts than for home use. (For example, it assigns fixed IP addresses by default rather than using DHCP.)

Handy remote-control commands:

  • sudo shutdown now
    • forces the computer to shutdown immediately, terminating all activity (especially useful at bedtime)
  • telinit 3 ; telinit 5
    • not sure of the details, but this should end the current GUI session without shutting down (n.b. phealy says telinit 5 won't work on Ubuntu, so just telinit 3 should suffice)
  • ps -u username
    • shows what processes the user is currently running; you can kill any inappropriate games
  • last
  • lastlog shows a list of everyone who has ever logged in, the date/time of when they last did so, and for how long they were logged in.

To be able to view what kids are seeing remotely (incomplete instructions):

  • on the kid's machine:
    • edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
      • inside Section "Module", add Load "vnc"
      • inside Section "Screen", add Option "PasswordFile" "/root/.vnc/passwd"
      • save the changes
    • as root, run vncpasswd
  • not sure what happens next; does something need restarting? Presumably you also need to run a VNC client on your machine, and that will need parameters...