DesktopLinux
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Forum  |  Polls  |  Blogs  |  Videos  |  ITLink

Keywords: Match:
Tux Paint - an exercise in Open Source for kids
by Bill Kendrick

Version 0.9.9 of "Tux Paint" was just released. Tux Paint is a drawing program for young children, released as Open Source software, under the GNU General Public License. (Think "The Gimp," but scaled down and 'cartooned up' to suit kids of all ages and levels of computer competency.)

Since Tux Paint is becoming so close to being 'feature complete' (and so near that arbitrary milestone of "version 1.0"), I thought now would be a good time to share how far it's gotten since it was first announced in July 2002.

Since the first few releases, Tux Paint has received contributions from over 30 other people from all corners of the globe. It has grown to nearly 12,000 lines of C code, and has been translated into two dozen languages (with more on the way). Ports and packages of Tux Paint are available for Windows, Mac OS X, BeOS, NetBSD, and Debian-, Slackware-, and RPM-based Linux distributions.

Over the past few months, I've had the pleasure of personally demonstrating Tux Paint to a number of Linux, Windows and Macintosh user groups in my area. One question that always comes up is "how do you make money?" My answer, "I have a full-time job," usually gets some laughs.

Unfortunately, I think most 'average' computer users out there are constantly fighting with viruses, upgrade costs, and bad technical support. To them, Open Source and Free Software must seem pretty bizarre.

What I've tried to explain to them is that along with the 'good karma' I get from releasing Tux Paint as Free Software -- knowing it's being used and enjoyed by all kinds of people out in the real world -- I also benefit as a programmer from the help and experience of dozens of other developers.

These gracious developers would have not only been unable, but probably unwilling (unless I paid them), to help if I had released Tux Paint as proprietary software.

Thanks to the Free Software and Open Source movements, though, not only am I blessed with a powerful and stable desktop with excellent development tools, amazingly configurable web hosting software, and free communication applications that help me connect with others, but I also benefit from taking part in it all, by meeting and sharing ideas and knowledge with countless others.

So go out there and help encourage us! Download Tux Paint and install it for your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews... Send copies to your friends and local schools to try out... Try it yourself, and tell us what you like and don't like!

Tux Paint is part of the Tux4Kids project, whose goal is to produce and promote quality educational Open Source software.



About the author: Bill Kendrick lives in Davis, California with his wife Melissa and two cats. He works for Worldcom in Sacramento, and is currently chair of the Linux Users' Group of Davis. He writes Open Source software in his copious spare time.



(Click here for further information)


7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

 



Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)


Desktop Linux books

Join our Desktop Linux discussion forums:
•  Moving to Linux
•  Linux/Windows debate!
•  Linux Q&A
. . . and more

Linux vs. Windows
•  in the enterprise
•  in gadgets & devices
Most popular recent stories:
• A Vista vs. Linux matchup
• Choosing a desktop Linux distro
• Linus versus GNOME
• Why Windows wins and Linux loses
• The best free desktop Linux
• Why Windows Vista will suck
• 2006 Desktop Linux year in review
• The well-tempered Debian desktop
• Here come the Dell Linux desktops, laptops
• Seven Linux distros fight over one old ThinkPad
• Putting openSUSE 10.2 through its paces
• Results from the 2006 Desktop Linux Survey

BREAKING NEWS

• "MySpace" mini-PC review
• Netflix Player brings "Instant" service to Linux users
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Quick-boot Linux environment makes a splash
• Linux gets security black eye
• Microsoft frees poor children from Linux struggles
• Commercial installer adds Windows game emulator
• Linux wins big in financial trading
• Fedora 9 KDE 4.0 features reviewed
• Linux gains action RPG
• Hats off to Fedora 9
• Linux for the self-employed
• CNR supports Linux Mint, adds Weatherbug
• Ubuntu ported to PDA
• Sample chapter available for new Scalix book



Linux-Watch headlines:
• Virtualization on tap in SLES and RHEL upgrades
• Linux gets security black eye
• Verizon chooses Linux "platform of choice"
• Hats off to Fedora 9
• Running a small business on desktop Linux
• Sun launches OpenSolaris
• Via tiptoes toward openness
• Linux certification comes to Italy
• Installing Ubuntu Hardy Heron as a web hosting server
• Black Duck Buys Koders


Visit the...


news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Forum  |  Polls  |  About  |  Contact
 
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.