My sister is in the process of buying a new computer for her 15 year old son. She would prefer to follow my advice and use a Linux operating system, the catch is there does not seem to be many games for Linux that would hold a typical 15 year olds attention. The option of an emulator such as wine is out as the games I have tried to install under wine require additional setup or work that neither my sister nor my nephew wish to learn. The option to do the work for her is out as she lives a days drive away from me, and frankly driving a day to install some game even if I do have opportunity to visit with my sister is just not worth the effort very often. Is there a source of a selection of games available for Linux? The tetrex/ solitaire style games just don't have the type of action a kid expects.
On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:58:42 -0700 Norm maillist@sios.ca wrote:
Is there a source of a selection of games available for Linux?
Around 01:58am on Sunday, April 22, 2007 (UK time), Norm scrawled:
My sister is in the process of buying a new computer for her 15 year old son. She would prefer to follow my advice and use a Linux operating system, the catch is there does not seem to be many games for Linux that would hold a typical 15 year olds attention. The option of an emulator such as wine is out as the games I have tried to install under wine require additional setup or work that neither my sister nor my nephew wish to learn. The option to do the work for her is out as she lives a days drive away from me, and frankly driving a day to install some game even if I do have opportunity to visit with my sister is just not worth the effort very often. Is there a source of a selection of games available for Linux? The tetrex/ solitaire style games just don't have the type of action a kid expects.
I'll no doubt attract the odd flame, but to be honest in these circumstances I think he would be better with a MS Windows PC. The games that his peers will be playing, and that he will probably want to play are just not available for GNU/Linux.
You can always set the PC up as a duel boot PC, and encourage him to use GNU/Linux for other activities. I did that for my son's - the elder now in his early 20s uses GNU/Linux for development, etc., and my 10 year old likes to use it for web browsing and "messing about on", but both revert to MS Windows for most games (as do I).
Steve
Steve Searle wrote:
Around 01:58am on Sunday, April 22, 2007 (UK time), Norm scrawled:
My sister is in the process of buying a new computer for her 15 year old son. She would prefer to follow my advice and use a Linux operating system, the catch is there does not seem to be many games for Linux that would hold a typical 15 year olds attention. The option of an emulator such as wine is out as the games I have tried to install under wine require additional setup or work that neither my sister nor my nephew wish to learn. The option to do the work for her is out as she lives a days drive away from me, and frankly driving a day to install some game even if I do have opportunity to visit with my sister is just not worth the effort very often. Is there a source of a selection of games available for Linux? The tetrex/ solitaire style games just don't have the type of action a kid expects.
I'll no doubt attract the odd flame, but to be honest in these circumstances I think he would be better with a MS Windows PC. The games that his peers will be playing, and that he will probably want to play are just not available for GNU/Linux.
You can always set the PC up as a duel boot PC, and encourage him to use GNU/Linux for other activities. I did that for my son's - the elder now in his early 20s uses GNU/Linux for development, etc., and my 10 year old likes to use it for web browsing and "messing about on", but both revert to MS Windows for most games (as do I).
Steve
As much as it hurts to admit it the reality is one seems to need access to a windoze box from time time, purest can argue no but the reality is one is needed. I have toyed with the idea of sort of a dual boot. The sort of part is to use a usb boot with M$ installed, don't know if the performance will take too much of a hit but the extra hassel of pluging in the second hard drive should keep him on the linux system more often. Has anyone tried this method, is the performance fast enough provide the computer itself is up to the job? Also thanks Frank for the link to some linux games, as unimportant as games really are the reality is there availability is an important factor for many when buying a computer.
On Sat, 2007-04-21 at 18:57 -0700, Norm wrote:
Also thanks Frank for the link to some linux games, as unimportant as games really are the reality is there availability is an important factor for many when buying a computer.
There's a pile of games for Linux, what kind of games does your sister want? I have a bunch of recommendations! I bought my first computer in 1978, and blew about 2 grand after additional hardware, to play text-based StarTrek. <grins> Ric
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 02:21 +0100, Steve Searle wrote:
I'll no doubt attract the odd flame, but to be honest in these circumstances I think he would be better with a MS Windows PC. The games that his peers will be playing, and that he will probably want to play are just not available for GNU/Linux.
I'd go a bit further: Unless you actually wanted to play some specific Windows games, you're better off with a games box rather than a PC. You don't have to worry about hard ware compatibility, installation headaches, viruses, trojans, etc., it just (generally) works.
Not to mention that if you like to take a box around to a mates place to play network games, one simple console box is easier to lug about than PC, plus keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers...
--- Tim ignored_mailbox@yahoo.com.au wrote:
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 02:21 +0100, Steve Searle wrote:
I'll no doubt attract the odd flame, but to be
honest in these
circumstances I think he would be better with a MS
Windows PC. The
games that his peers will be playing, and that he
will probably want
to play are just not available for GNU/Linux.
I'd go a bit further: Unless you actually wanted to play some specific Windows games, you're better off with a games box rather than a PC. You don't have to worry about hard ware compatibility, installation headaches, viruses, trojans, etc., it just (generally) works.
Not to mention that if you like to take a box around to a mates place to play network games, one simple console box is easier to lug about than PC, plus keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers...
Unless, if it is a laptop too. Do not forget about this one. Nevertheless, you give great advice. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Regards,
Antonio
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Tim wrote:
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 02:21 +0100, Steve Searle wrote:
I'll no doubt attract the odd flame, but to be honest in these circumstances I think he would be better with a MS Windows PC. The games that his peers will be playing, and that he will probably want to play are just not available for GNU/Linux.
I'd go a bit further: Unless you actually wanted to play some specific Windows games, you're better off with a games box rather than a PC. You don't have to worry about hard ware compatibility, installation headaches, viruses, trojans, etc., it just (generally) works.
Not to mention that if you like to take a box around to a mates place to play network games, one simple console box is easier to lug about than PC, plus keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers...
I'm not into gaming... But I wonder how well that works if the kid in question wants to play those games played over the net?
Tim:
I'd go a bit further: Unless you actually wanted to play some specific Windows games, you're better off with a games box rather than a PC.
Ed Greshko:
I'm not into gaming... But I wonder how well that works if the kid in question wants to play those games played over the net?
Depending on what you mean there... There are games console games which do play over the internet. But if you mean those daft games that you play inside a web browser (e.g. Java or Flash games), that's another matter.
Tim wrote:
Depending on what you mean there... There are games console games which do play over the internet. But if you mean those daft games that you play inside a web browser (e.g. Java or Flash games), that's another matter.
No...not those played within a web browser. But, aren't there things like "Civilization Creation" games where you play over the internet and start by collecting things like raw resources, building up your towns and fortifications then potentially go to war with your neighboring clans? I think something like World of Warcraft would fall into that category.
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 15:19 +0800, Ed Greshko wrote:
But, aren't there things like "Civilization Creation" games where you play over the internet and start by collecting things like raw resources, building up your towns and fortifications then potentially go to war with your neighboring clans? I think something like World of Warcraft would fall into that category.
As far as I know, there are some games like that for the X box, and its ilk.
Tim wrote:
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 15:19 +0800, Ed Greshko wrote:
But, aren't there things like "Civilization Creation" games where you play over the internet and start by collecting things like raw resources, building up your towns and fortifications then potentially go to war with your neighboring clans? I think something like World of Warcraft would fall into that category.
As far as I know, there are some games like that for the X box, and its ilk.
Maybe...but if all of the friends of the 15yr old play "World of Warcraft" then maybe there is no point to buying an X box.
Guess the OP would need to talk to the 15yr old and do a needs assessment.
On 4/22/07, Steve Searle steve@stevesearle.com wrote:
I'll no doubt attract the odd flame, but to be honest in these circumstances I think he would be better with a MS Windows PC. The games that his peers will be playing, and that he will probably want to play are just not available for GNU/Linux.
You can always set the PC up as a duel boot PC, and encourage him to use GNU/Linux for other activities. I did that for my son's - the elder now in his early 20s uses GNU/Linux for development, etc., and my 10 year old likes to use it for web browsing and "messing about on", but both revert to MS Windows for most games (as do I).
I wonder how Windows via KVM would fare as a substitute for dual boot (assuming of course a processor with virtualization capabilities, which is not a problem these days, and a working graphics card driver, which is).
Andras
On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:58:42 -0700 Norm maillist@sios.ca wrote:
My sister is in the process of buying a new computer for her 15 year old son. She would prefer to follow my advice and use a Linux operating system, the catch is there does not seem to be many games for Linux that would hold a typical 15 year olds attention.
Linux is not realistically a good game console. A WII or similar would do that job far better. There are setups based upon wine to make it easier to do gaming but its oriented at fairly technical users and no doubt is always going to hit the "but it works for everyone else at school" thing. Even if you get it working for high end 3D you've got to worry about drivers and someone suddenly dropping support etc.
(Mind you I find the idea of children playing large numbers of games which involve shooting other people in semi-random acts of violence a bad one, even before last week)
Alan
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 13:20 +0100, Alan Cox wrote:
Mind you I find the idea of children playing large numbers of games which involve shooting other people in semi-random acts of violence a bad one, even before last week
I tend to agree. For all those that argue that people are not affected by games/video/etc., story telling has been the way of imparting values and brainwashing for thousands of years. Of course it's going to have some effect. It dulls you to what ought to repulse you, gives bad ideas to some people, and so on.
I can remember visiting a friend some years back, and his wife was telling us about her experience at playing a game with her son. She found the notion that she was supposed to kill her son, in the game, repulsive. Now that's a person who understands the point of values.
Alan Cox wrote:
On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:58:42 -0700 Norm maillist@sios.ca wrote:
My sister is in the process of buying a new computer for her 15 year old son. She would prefer to follow my advice and use a Linux operating system, the catch is there does not seem to be many games for Linux that would hold a typical 15 year olds attention.
Linux is not realistically a good game console. A WII or similar would do that job far better. There are setups based upon wine to make it easier to do gaming but its oriented at fairly technical users and no doubt is always going to hit the "but it works for everyone else at school" thing. Even if you get it working for high end 3D you've got to worry about drivers and someone suddenly dropping support etc.
(Mind you I find the idea of children playing large numbers of games which involve shooting other people in semi-random acts of violence a bad one, even before last week)
Alan
Well maybe he won't be able to practice his murder/robbery skills (ala Grand Theft Auto), but the PORN on Linux is just as good! And that's what a 15 year old guy really wants.
Sorry of posting this, but someone had to mention it.
John
On Mon, 2007-04-23 at 09:03 -0700, John Wendel wrote:
Well maybe he won't be able to practice his murder/robbery skills (ala Grand Theft Auto), but the PORN on Linux is just as good! And that's what a 15 year old guy really wants.
Sorry of posting this, but someone had to mention it.
;-) Actually, it'd probably be safer: You won't get stung by Windows viruses, and MSIE exploits to install a pay-per-second dialer, from those "free" sites...
On Sun, 2007-04-22 at 13:20 +0100, Alan Cox wrote:
(Mind you I find the idea of children playing large numbers of games which involve shooting other people in semi-random acts of violence a bad one, even before last week)
While I kinda like those, I agree... there is a lot of violence in them. There is still a huge selection of games for Linux, even more if you use the arcade emulators. They work great. Ric
Norm wrote:
My sister is in the process of buying a new computer for her 15 year old son. She would prefer to follow my advice and use a Linux operating system, the catch is there does not seem to be many games for Linux that would hold a typical 15 year olds attention. The option of an emulator such as wine is out as the games I have tried to install under wine require additional setup or work that neither my sister nor my nephew wish to learn. The option to do the work for her is out as she lives a days drive away from me, and frankly driving a day to install some game even if I do have opportunity to visit with my sister is just not worth the effort very often. Is there a source of a selection of games available for Linux? The tetrex/ solitaire style games just don't have the type of action a kid expects.
We have raised 4 boys and 2 girls. Well, they are my children and lived with with the wife and I until they left. Their Ideas of 'raised' may be different than mine. :)
It has always been a job requirement to be an early adopter of computer technology. Therefore, we had Internet access at our house in the days when the NSFnet (National Science Foundation) joined the DARPA nets.
Early adoption of technology also includes (in my mind) games. 25 years of PC gaming has led me to this:
1. I don't want to pay $3,000.00 every two years to stay current. And yes, I did that for 25 years, and yes, it is necessary to have the best when you are beta testing the newest and latest.
2. PC gaming in Windows is a mess, and has been for a while. I gave up on Microsoft as a platform provider, even for games, in 2002.
3. Linux as a development platform is magical, but programmers now days are used to massive IDEs that let you code without thinking. Many modern applications and games demonstrate this problem. There are few exceptions, in my opinion.
4. Gaming consoles now days really do have better games available, and its pretty sad when the PS3 runs Oblivion better than my aging $3,000.00 PC. Keyboard and mouse are available to gamers on the PS3. Whether the developers will allow them to be used in games in the future is still unknown. Aiming with my THUMB is not the best way to FRAG fest.
5. A PS3 can dual boot with Ubuntu or Yellow Dog Linux or Fedora.
Hmmm... should I spend $4,000.00 for the gaming PC I want this year, or should I buy the PS3 for $600.00 and dual boot Linux?
I would recommend the PS3 to parents who want their kids to learn Linux and have access to some of the best games available.
A PS3 with the new Dell 27" LCD display is ... wait a minute! We are approaching $2,000.00 now ... $60.00 per game ...
ACK! There went my money anyways, but I am having more fun.
On Tue, 2007-04-24 at 10:02 -0600, Phil Meyer wrote:
A PS3 with the new Dell 27" LCD display is ... wait a minute! We are approaching $2,000.00 now ... $60.00 per game ...
ACK! There went my money anyways, but I am having more fun.
Time to buy a bat and ball, much cheaper and more fun... But then there's the costs for new windows, and doctor visits... You're damned if you do, damned if you don't. But the bat is compatible with most hands and balls (stop sniggering in the back), and probably lasts many more years than any computer bits and pieces.
A few years back I was at a friend's place, her teenage son and his friend were getting all grumpy playing video games against each other. But going outside and playing real games, they were enjoying themselves, as well as doing something more healthy for them. And the experienced oldies have a fighting chance at beating the younger ones. ;-)
Tim wrote:
On Tue, 2007-04-24 at 10:02 -0600, Phil Meyer wrote:
A PS3 with the new Dell 27" LCD display is ... wait a minute! We are approaching $2,000.00 now ... $60.00 per game ...
ACK! There went my money anyways, but I am having more fun.
Time to buy a bat and ball, much cheaper and more fun... But then there's the costs for new windows, and doctor visits... You're damned if you do, damned if you don't. But the bat is compatible with most hands and balls (stop sniggering in the back), and probably lasts many more years than any computer bits and pieces.
A few years back I was at a friend's place, her teenage son and his friend were getting all grumpy playing video games against each other. But going outside and playing real games, they were enjoying themselves, as well as doing something more healthy for them. And the experienced oldies have a fighting chance at beating the younger ones. ;-)
I started this thread, I feel I should defend 15 years and games. While some 15 years may be able to make couch potatoes look energetic. This particular one is planning to try out for the National Rowing team shortly He has just discovered serious cycling and part of his daily ride to rowing is a ride that would tax most Olympic teams. In the school work area he is doing well in an advanced placement class. He certainly has enough on his plate in the official success area but, like any kid at any age still needs some down time. The suggestions of some different ways to give him the games have been helpful, thanks. Iam not sure which route they will want to take but as the games are a small area in his life it will probably be a small budget solution - a new racing shell at 12 grand is higher on his list of needs.
Norm wrote:
Iam not sure which route they will want to take but as the games are a small area in his life it will probably be a small budget solution - a new racing shell at 12 grand is higher on his list of needs.
Well, at least it is not a question of "One oar the other". :-)
On Thu, 2007-04-26 at 08:12 +0800, Ed Greshko wrote:
Norm wrote:
Iam not sure which route they will want to take but as the games are a small area in his life it will probably be a small budget solution - a new racing shell at 12 grand is higher on his list of needs.
Well, at least it is not a question of "One oar the other". :-)
Oh, gawd! As far as a racing shell is concerned, try "ksh".
(one bad pun deserves another, Ed!)
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