[Totally OT] Fedora is over - Hannah-Montana-Linux Rules

[John Wendel]

Seriously (well not really),

http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2009/07/27/hannah-montana-linux/

Regards,

John

[Craig White]

On Wed, 2009-07-29 at 20:10 +0000, g wrote:
>  john wendel wrote:
>  
>  > I think the interesting part isn't the review (which was a joke) but 
>  > rather that there is interest in having a Linux desktop for pre-teen 
>  > girls (and maybe some boys). Looks like progress on the mind-share front 
>  > to me.
>  
>  i would say it is a marketing ploy by disney to use something that is free
>  to disney to make disney selves more money. 
----
Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
legal team.

Craig


-- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.

[g]

john wendel wrote:

>  I think the interesting part isn't the review (which was a joke)
> but 
>  rather that there is interest in having a Linux desktop for pre-teen 
>  girls (and maybe some boys). Looks like progress on the mind-share front 
>  to me. 
i would say it is a marketing ploy by disney to use something that is free
to disney to make disney selves more money.


-- 

peace out.

tc,hago.

g
.

****
in a free world without fences, who needs gates.
**
help microsoft stamp out piracy - give linux to a friend today.
**
to mess up a linux box, you need to work at it.
to mess up an ms windows box, you just need to *look* at it.
**
learn linux:
'Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition' http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html
'The Linux Documentation Project' http://www.tldp.org/
'LDP HOWTO-index' http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/index.html
'HowtoForge' http://howtoforge.com/
****

[John Wendel]

On 07/29/2009 10:34 AM, Frank Murphy wrote:
>  On 29/07/09 18:29, Anne Wilson wrote:
>  --snip--
> >>
> > A desktop aimed at 7-year-olds is reviewed by a 40-year-old - what do you
> > expect? Clearly the apex of objective reviewing.
> >
> > Anne
> >
>
>  Is not most children's *stuff* reviewed by adults.
>
>  
I think the interesting part isn't the review (which was a joke) but 
rather that there is interest in having a Linux desktop for pre-teen 
girls (and maybe some boys). Looks like progress on the mind-share front 
to me.

Regards,

John

[Frank Murphy]

On 29/07/09 18:29, Anne Wilson wrote:
--snip--
> >
>  A desktop aimed at 7-year-olds is reviewed by a 40-year-old - what do you
>  expect?  Clearly the apex of objective reviewing.
>
>  Anne
>  
Is not most children's *stuff* reviewed by adults.

[Anne Wilson]

On Wednesday 29 July 2009 18:04:39 john wendel wrote:
>  Seriously (well not really),
>
>  http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2009/07/27/hannah-montana-linux/
>  
A desktop aimed at 7-year-olds is reviewed by a 40-year-old - what do you 
expect?  Clearly the apex of objective reviewing.

Anne
-- 
New to KDE4? - get help from http://userbase.kde.org
Just found a cool new feature?  Add it to UserBase

[iarly selbir]

I hope it give us some users from bugwindos to free software. LoL.. nice
work.


Regards,

- -
iarly selbir | ski0s

:wq!


On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 2:04 PM, john wendel <jwendel10(a)comcast.net&gt; wrote:

>  Seriously (well not really),
>
>  http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2009/07/27/hannah-montana-linux/
>
>  Regards,
>
>  John
>
>  --
>  fedora-list mailing list
>  fedora-list(a)redhat.com
>  To unsubscribe: https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list
>  Guidelines:
>  http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Communicate/MailingListGuidelines
>

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 29 July 2009, Sharpe, Sam J wrote:
> 2009/7/29 Aldo Foot <lunixer(a)gmail.com&gt;:
> > On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:04 AM, john wendel&lt;jwendel10(a)comcast.net&gt; wrote:
> >> Seriously (well not really),
> >>
> >> http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2009/07/27/hannah-montana-linux/
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> John
> >
> > I no longer underestimate what kids can learn these days. I see kids
> > doing things
> > with gadgets I never thought possible  :-)
> > But Linux? that's got to be the Final Frontier...
>
> Speaking as someone who has tried to teach modern kids some things I
> learnt when I was their age, I'm still surprised at how they can fit
> so much information into 160 characters, but can't master simple
> mechanical operations. I think even when I was a teenager (little more
> than a decade ago Gene!), life was stuffed with so much less
> technology, that I had a lot more time for the simpler things in life.
>
> I lived in the suburbs of a major city in the UK when I was a
> teenager. By day I spent my time in the woods lighting fires and
> making dens, by night I spent my time trading "warez" on IRC on a 28k
> modem. Occasionally I went to school.
>
> I've spoken to a lot of 14-18yr olds in the course of my volunteer
> work and I'm still continually amazed about what has changed in the
> average kid's life. Now they come home from school and spend their
> time playing computer games and messaging their friends on Bebo,
> MySpace and Facebook. There's no real understanding among the majority
> of computer users of how it works, how you program it and how to fix
> it any more - the fundamental way they are using computers is
> completely different to how I was brought up. An operating system is
> now a gateway to the services you use - as long as you can get the
> same IM programs, p2p and websites that all your mates are using,
> what's under the hood just isn't a factor any more.
>
> --
> Sam 
Which M$ knows full well is the wedge that will let linux in, and they will go 
to any lengths to prevent that from happening.  Any lengths, legal or 
otherwise...

I know exactly how you feel, I was building & programming computers to do jobs 
better than we humans could as far back as the later '70's.  Memory was very 
expensive in those days, and I made a program to control a vcr and lay a new 
academy leader on a commercial, self modifying RCA 1802 code, and the whole 
thing fit into about 1175 bytes of a 4k static ram board we paid $418 for.  
This even included the character generator data to drive a character generator 
I built into it. Battery backup, an old off speed BC cart recorder for 
reloading in case the power failure was many hours.  In several times a day 
use at KRCR for a decade or more after I left.  I still have a paper copy of 
that program in a poly bag I can see from here.

If I was forced to use winderz, I'd probably burn the machine.

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
<https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>

The most important early product on the way to developing a good product
is an imperfect version.

[g]

Sharpe, Sam J wrote:

>  1) More people will switch to Linux to increase their chances of
>  successful dating.
>  2) Men will feel intimidated by Linux, so the proportion of women in
>  the community will increase until there is balance. 
#2 will be countered by #1

>  Either way, we win ;o) 
true, but we will still tend to be behind [no pun] in 'fairer sex' because
'hard tail' will try to keep up with gain.

-- 

peace out.

tc,hago.

g
.

****
in a free world without fences, who needs gates.
**
help microsoft stamp out piracy - give linux to a friend today.
**
to mess up a linux box, you need to work at it.
to mess up an ms windows box, you just need to *look* at it.
**
learn linux:
'Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition' http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html
'The Linux Documentation Project' http://www.tldp.org/
'LDP HOWTO-index' http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/index.html
'HowtoForge' http://howtoforge.com/
****

[Aldo Foot]

On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:04 AM, john wendel<jwendel10(a)comcast.net> wrote:
>  Seriously (well not really),
>
>  http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2009/07/27/hannah-montana-linux/
>
>  Regards,
>
>  John 
I no longer underestimate what kids can learn these days. I see kids
doing things
with gadgets I never thought possible  :-)
But Linux? that's got to be the Final Frontier...

~af

[max]

On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 6:41 PM, Sharpe, Sam
J<sam.sharpe+lists.redhat(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>  I've spoken to a lot of 14-18yr olds in the course of my
> volunteer
>  work and I'm still continually amazed about what has changed in the
>  average kid's life. Now they come home from school and spend their
>  time playing computer games and messaging their friends on Bebo,
>  MySpace and Facebook. There's no real understanding among the majority
>  of computer users of how it works, how you program it and how to fix
>  it any more - the fundamental way they are using computers is
>  completely different to how I was brought up. An operating system is
>  now a gateway to the services you use - as long as you can get the
>  same IM programs, p2p and websites that all your mates are using,
>  what's under the hood just isn't a factor any more.
>  
There in lies the problem, no cares how it gets done but what is worse
is that there is an assumption by most computer users that safety and
security are inherent in software design. This just ain't true. The
lack of concern for what is under the hood is the reason the world is
in the state it's in.

I do however see g's point. If my girlfriend ever out did me on the
computer then you can bet I'd get my act together quick ; ^)

[Sam Sharpe]

2009/7/29 Gene Heskett <gene.heskett(a)verizon.net&gt;:
>  On Wednesday 29 July 2009, Sharpe, Sam J wrote:
> >2009/7/29 g <geleem(a)bellsouth.net&gt;:
> >> Craig White wrote:
> >>> Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
> >>> licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
> >>> legal team.
> >>
> >> i would have thought so too, but being that it is here;
> >>
> >>  http://hannahmontana.sourceforge.net/Site/Home.html
> >>
> >> something is not kosher.
> >
> >I really hope Disney don't get all  legal on this. The key to
> >capturing a market (especially in children) is finding a new take on
> >something popular that already appeals to them. If this effort gets
> >just one or two more members of the fairer sex hooked on Linux in
> >their teens, then in about 10 years we might have a bit more balance
> >in the Community - that can only be a good thing! (no offense to all
> >you old dudes here ;o)
> >
> >--
> >Sam
>
>  Carefull there Sam, we know who you are talking about. :) 
No, I meant the other dude over there... the one without references to
the NRA in his signature, I promise!

(The NRA in the UK is a lot less "militant" ;o)

-- 
Sam

[Sam Sharpe]

2009/7/29 g <geleem(a)bellsouth.net&gt;:
>  Sharpe, Sam J wrote:
>
> > If this effort gets just one or two more members of the fairer sex hooked on
> > Linux in their teens, then in about 10 years we might have a bit more balance
> >  in the Community - that can only be a good thing! (no offense to all you old
> > dudes here ;o)
>
>  it is not just a matter of more 'fairer sex'.
>
>  how do you think a lot of the young 'hard tails' are going to feel when the
>  'fairer sex' says, 'you mean you are still using ms windows?'
>
>  how many 'hard tails' do you thing will take that? 
Mmmm... I'm not quite sure what your point is. I see two ways that will go:

1) More people will switch to Linux to increase their chances of
successful dating.
2) Men will feel intimidated by Linux, so the proportion of women in
the community will increase until there is balance.

Either way, we win ;o)

-- 
Sam

[g]

Sharpe, Sam J wrote:

>  If this effort gets just one or two more members of the fairer sex
> hooked on
>  Linux in their teens, then in about 10 years we might have a bit more balance
>   in the Community - that can only be a good thing! (no offense to all you old
>  dudes here ;o) 
it is not just a matter of more 'fairer sex'.

how do you think a lot of the young 'hard tails' are going to feel when the
'fairer sex' says, 'you mean you are still using ms windows?'

how many 'hard tails' do you thing will take that?

-- 

peace out.

tc,hago.

g
.

****
in a free world without fences, who needs gates.
**
help microsoft stamp out piracy - give linux to a friend today.
**
to mess up a linux box, you need to work at it.
to mess up an ms windows box, you just need to *look* at it.
**
learn linux:
'Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition' http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html
'The Linux Documentation Project' http://www.tldp.org/
'LDP HOWTO-index' http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/index.html
'HowtoForge' http://howtoforge.com/
****

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 29 July 2009, Sharpe, Sam J wrote:
> 2009/7/29 g <geleem(a)bellsouth.net&gt;:
> > Craig White wrote:
> >> Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
> >> licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
> >> legal team.
> >
> > i would have thought so too, but being that it is here;
> >
> >  http://hannahmontana.sourceforge.net/Site/Home.html
> >
> > something is not kosher.
>
> I really hope Disney don't get all  legal on this. The key to
> capturing a market (especially in children) is finding a new take on
> something popular that already appeals to them. If this effort gets
> just one or two more members of the fairer sex hooked on Linux in
> their teens, then in about 10 years we might have a bit more balance
> in the Community - that can only be a good thing! (no offense to all
> you old dudes here ;o)
>
> --
> Sam 
Carefull there Sam, we know who you are talking about. :)

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
<https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>

Many a bum show has been saved by the flag.
		-- George M. Cohan

[g]

Craig White wrote:

>  well if it provides Linux exposure to young people, it can't be
> all bad.
>  I would expect that if Disney has plans to make money somehow on this
>  and if they respect GPL licensing, it's all good I guess. 
on that, i agree 100%.

-- 

peace out.

tc,hago.

g
.

****
in a free world without fences, who needs gates.
**
help microsoft stamp out piracy - give linux to a friend today.
**
to mess up a linux box, you need to work at it.
to mess up an ms windows box, you just need to *look* at it.
**
learn linux:
'Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition' http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html
'The Linux Documentation Project' http://www.tldp.org/
'LDP HOWTO-index' http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/index.html
'HowtoForge' http://howtoforge.com/
****

[Sam Sharpe]

2009/7/29 g <geleem(a)bellsouth.net&gt;:
>  Craig White wrote:
>
> > Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
> > licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
> > legal team.
>
>  i would have thought so too, but being that it is here;
>
>   http://hannahmontana.sourceforge.net/Site/Home.html
>
>  something is not kosher. 
I really hope Disney don't get all  legal on this. The key to
capturing a market (especially in children) is finding a new take on
something popular that already appeals to them. If this effort gets
just one or two more members of the fairer sex hooked on Linux in
their teens, then in about 10 years we might have a bit more balance
in the Community - that can only be a good thing! (no offense to all
you old dudes here ;o)

-- 
Sam

[Craig White]

On Wed, 2009-07-29 at 21:29 +0000, g wrote:
>  Craig White wrote:
>  
>  > Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
>  > licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
>  > legal team.
>  
>  i would have thought so too, but being that it is here;
>  
>    http://hannahmontana.sourceforge.net/Site/Home.html
>  
>  something is not kosher.
>  
>  google for "Hannah+Montana+Linux" gets 39,300 hits.
>  
>  http://digg.com/linux_unix/Hannah_Montana_Linux_What_are_they_thinking
>  says;
>  
>  Linuxtracker.org is pleased to announce the availability of Hannah Montana Linux
>  X86 Basic Edition. Are we pleased to see Disney's annoying franchise break out
>  in yet another form? Somehow, adontfinkso...
>  
>  
>  even playstation is getting in on act;
>  
>  http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Systems/hannah.html
>  
>  so, as i said, disney *is* making money. 
----
well if it provides Linux exposure to young people, it can't be all bad.
I would expect that if Disney has plans to make money somehow on this
and if they respect GPL licensing, it's all good I guess.

Craig


-- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.

[g]

Craig White wrote:

>  Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
>  licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
>  legal team. 
i would have thought so too, but being that it is here;

  http://hannahmontana.sourceforge.net/Site/Home.html

something is not kosher.

google for "Hannah+Montana+Linux" gets 39,300 hits.

http://digg.com/linux_unix/Hannah_Montana_Linux_What_are_they_thinking
says;

Linuxtracker.org is pleased to announce the availability of Hannah Montana Linux
X86 Basic Edition. Are we pleased to see Disney's annoying franchise break out
in yet another form? Somehow, adontfinkso...


even playstation is getting in on act;

http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Systems/hannah.html

so, as i said, disney *is* making money.


-- 

peace out.

tc,hago.

g
.

****
in a free world without fences, who needs gates.
**
help microsoft stamp out piracy - give linux to a friend today.
**
to mess up a linux box, you need to work at it.
to mess up an ms windows box, you just need to *look* at it.
**
learn linux:
'Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition' http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html
'The Linux Documentation Project' http://www.tldp.org/
'LDP HOWTO-index' http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/index.html
'HowtoForge' http://howtoforge.com/
****

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 29 July 2009, Craig White wrote:
> On Wed, 2009-07-29 at 20:10 +0000, g wrote:
> > john wendel wrote:
> > > I think the interesting part isn't the review (which was a joke) but
> > > rather that there is interest in having a Linux desktop for pre-teen
> > > girls (and maybe some boys). Looks like progress on the mind-share front
> > > to me.
> >
> > i would say it is a marketing ploy by disney to use something that is free
> > to disney to make disney selves more money. 
At the time Billy Ray Cyrus was collecting his first royalty check for Boot 
Scootin Boogie, I was living in Ashland KY, about 10 miles from his home town.

While I don't know this for a fact, I am under the impression that the Hannah 
Montana thing was Miley Cyrus's dads way of letting his girl do her thing as a 
walk on during his shows, while only partially concealing that she was his 
(Billy Ray Cyrus) child.  I have heard her sing a couple of times & she does 
well, and if I was 17 instead of 74, I'd have to figure she was quite a 
looker.  Billy Ray, I assume, has his guardian shotgun loaded and at the ready 
too.  If she was my girl, I'd sure be standing guard.

> ----
> Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
> licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
> legal team. 
I don't know for sure that Disney owns that trademark.  This will probably 
tell the story though.  The fact that it hasn't already been stepped on is 
encouraging cuz its been out at least a month now.

> Craig
>
>
> --
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
> believed to be clean. 

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
<https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>

You may call me by my name, Wirth, or by my value, Worth.
- Nicklaus Wirth

[Rick Stevens]

john wendel wrote:
>  On 07/29/2009 10:34 AM, Frank Murphy wrote:
> > On 29/07/09 18:29, Anne Wilson wrote:
> > --snip--
> >>>
> >> A desktop aimed at 7-year-olds is reviewed by a 40-year-old - what do 
> >> you
> >> expect? Clearly the apex of objective reviewing.
> >>
> >> Anne
> >>
> >
> > Is not most children's *stuff* reviewed by adults.
> >
> >
>  
>  I think the interesting part isn't the review (which was a joke) but 
>  rather that there is interest in having a Linux desktop for pre-teen 
>  girls (and maybe some boys). Looks like progress on the mind-share front 
>  to me. 
Does anyone remember "Bob" for Winbloze?  It's deja vu all over again!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Rick Stevens, Systems Engineer                      ricks(a)nerd.com -
- AIM/Skype: therps2        ICQ: 22643734            Yahoo: origrps2 -
-                                                                    -
-      To err is human, to forgive, beyond the scope of the OS       -
----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 29 July 2009, max bianco wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 6:41 PM, Sharpe, Sam
>
> J<sam.sharpe+lists.redhat(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> > I've spoken to a lot of 14-18yr olds in the course of my volunteer
> > work and I'm still continually amazed about what has changed in the
> > average kid's life. Now they come home from school and spend their
> > time playing computer games and messaging their friends on Bebo,
> > MySpace and Facebook. There's no real understanding among the majority
> > of computer users of how it works, how you program it and how to fix
> > it any more - the fundamental way they are using computers is
> > completely different to how I was brought up. An operating system is
> > now a gateway to the services you use - as long as you can get the
> > same IM programs, p2p and websites that all your mates are using,
> > what's under the hood just isn't a factor any more.
>
> There in lies the problem, no cares how it gets done but what is worse
> is that there is an assumption by most computer users that safety and
> security are inherent in software design. This just ain't true. The
> lack of concern for what is under the hood is the reason the world is
> in the state it's in.
>
> I do however see g's point. If my girlfriend ever out did me on the
> computer then you can bet I'd get my act together quick ; ^) 
Fortunately, that is not a worry here, my wife is totally computer illiterate, 
and likes it that way.  The only time she ever used one was some sort of a 
grade keeping program the school board wanted her to use 20 years ago.  I 
think she used it twice in the 34 years she taught elementary music.

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
<https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>

Stamp out organized crime!!  Abolish the IRS.

[Gene Heskett]

On Wednesday 29 July 2009, Sharpe, Sam J wrote:
> 2009/7/29 Gene Heskett <gene.heskett(a)verizon.net&gt;:
> > On Wednesday 29 July 2009, Sharpe, Sam J wrote:
> >>2009/7/29 g <geleem(a)bellsouth.net&gt;:
> >>> Craig White wrote:
> >>>> Knowing how the Disney people operate, I would presume that their
> >>>> licensing letter/cease and desist has already been generated by their
> >>>> legal team.
> >>>
> >>> i would have thought so too, but being that it is here;
> >>>
> >>>  http://hannahmontana.sourceforge.net/Site/Home.html
> >>>
> >>> something is not kosher.
> >>
> >>I really hope Disney don't get all  legal on this. The key to
> >>capturing a market (especially in children) is finding a new take on
> >>something popular that already appeals to them. If this effort gets
> >>just one or two more members of the fairer sex hooked on Linux in
> >>their teens, then in about 10 years we might have a bit more balance
> >>in the Community - that can only be a good thing! (no offense to all
> >>you old dudes here ;o)
> >>
> >>--
> >>Sam
> >
> > Carefull there Sam, we know who you are talking about. :)
>
> No, I meant the other dude over there... the one without references to
> the NRA in his signature, I promise!
>  
Chuckle, repeatedly. ;)

> (The NRA in the UK is a lot less "militant" ;o) 
Probably because the membership there is .01% of the numbers here in the 
states where we are many million strong.  When we vote as a block, we can and 
have controlled the occupants of some of the chairs in DC.  We think 
politicians are like diapers, needing changed frequently, usually for the same 
reason...

> --
> Sam 

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
<https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>

"Dump the condiments.  If we are to be eaten, we don't need to taste good."
-- "Visionaries" cartoon

[Sam Sharpe]

2009/7/29 Aldo Foot <lunixer(a)gmail.com&gt;:
>  On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:04 AM, john
> wendel&lt;jwendel10(a)comcast.net&gt; wrote:
> >
> > Seriously (well not really),
> >
> > http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/2009/07/27/hannah-montana-linux/
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > John
>
>  I no longer underestimate what kids can learn these days. I see kids
>  doing things
>  with gadgets I never thought possible  :-)
>  But Linux? that's got to be the Final Frontier... 
Speaking as someone who has tried to teach modern kids some things I
learnt when I was their age, I'm still surprised at how they can fit
so much information into 160 characters, but can't master simple
mechanical operations. I think even when I was a teenager (little more
than a decade ago Gene!), life was stuffed with so much less
technology, that I had a lot more time for the simpler things in life.

I lived in the suburbs of a major city in the UK when I was a
teenager. By day I spent my time in the woods lighting fires and
making dens, by night I spent my time trading "warez" on IRC on a 28k
modem. Occasionally I went to school.

I've spoken to a lot of 14-18yr olds in the course of my volunteer
work and I'm still continually amazed about what has changed in the
average kid's life. Now they come home from school and spend their
time playing computer games and messaging their friends on Bebo,
MySpace and Facebook. There's no real understanding among the majority
of computer users of how it works, how you program it and how to fix
it any more - the fundamental way they are using computers is
completely different to how I was brought up. An operating system is
now a gateway to the services you use - as long as you can get the
same IM programs, p2p and websites that all your mates are using,
what's under the hood just isn't a factor any more.

-- 
Sam