Hi,

Sorry, if this has been answered 100 times already.  I'm about 12 days
behind in the postings.  Only 140 + more to go.

Actually, the "dinosaur" you can acquire for free would probably work
much better under Linux that it would under any windows system.  I
personally do not do Linux as a rule, but I have a copy of Knopnix w/
open office, that is bootable on a cd-rom, and when I run it on an older
machine that is hooked up to broadband, I'm amazed how well and easily
it does work.

The only problem about using Knopnix with the "kids" you have, would be
their familiarity with it versus windows.  But then that is the great
things about kids, they have no fear.  You could actually issue a
challenge to them and see who could master it quickest and have the
"master" teach the others.  Make a contest out of it.  It is a perfect
operating system for "dinosaur" computers and people that want to
explore, because unless you let a Mack truck run over the CD, they
really can't screw up the software.

Thanks and have a Great Day!

Joe Lore
=====================================

Hi everyone,

I own a pre-school, daycare, and before & after school centre.  I have
been trying to beg, borrow or steal three unwanted used computers; two
for the older kids to access the internet for homework and do simple
word processing on only, and one for the smaller kids to play with age
appropriate educational software only.  My daycare kids are mostly
special needs.  While the work is rewarding, the government allowance
for taking them is pittance, and I simply do not have the money to buy
new equipment to help these kids.

I have been offered one "Pentium 1 range (90-180)" from a government
office.  I was told it has no operating system.  I was cautioned that
while I may SOMEHOW be able to obtain (they didn't know how) an
operating system for this computer, I may have trouble getting most
software to work with this older system.  Some of the pre-school
software I have states on the label that it will work with "Windows 3.1
or higher"; another set states it will work with "486MHz or better".

I know almost nothing about computers. This is probably a dumb question
and I can already hear some of you roll your eyes, but do I need an
operating system?  I assume it would be kind of like having a car
without an engine, but thought I'd ask anyway.  Is this computer a
dinosaur that I'll regret acquiring?  How can I get an operating system
(preferably free, but legal) for it?  I read quite some time ago about a
free system called Linux, I think.  Can I/should I use this OS with a
Pentium 1.  I presently use a Pentium 11 with Windows 98 on my home
office computer and I am happy with it, so I don't see what's so
terrible about a Pentium 1.  I also have high speed cable internet that
I would use for the before/after school kids computer.  Would that work
with a Pentium 1, or is it too rich for its blood?  Please advise this
fumbling novice.  Thank you very much for any help you can give me.

Thank you,
Cathy Pierce
[log in to unmask]
British Columbia

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