Computer For a Child? 556
jameswing writes "I am thinking of buying a UMPC, such as an Eee PC or a Wind for my son, and wanted to get input from Slashdot. He is almost 2 and really curious about our computers, and anything electronic. I want to foster this in him, without having him on my desktop or laptop. I also don't really like the idea of getting one of those cheap 'Learning Laptops' that have a tiny screen and are really limited.
Does anybody have one that they use with their children? How sturdy is it? Will it stand up to a 2-year-old? If not, what are good alternatives?
What are your thoughts? Suggestions?"
Don't do it. Not yet. (Score:5, Funny)
I learned to read with that age, which was considered a prodigy in my city (and a freak, BTW, in equal proportions).
I really dug into encyclopedias, and was very interested in science. Until I stole a book from a dad's friend.
It was COBOL. I was 4. Now I'm a sad CS teacher finishing my ph.D. in high-performance computing. And I have 12 euros in my bank account right now.
Let him live. And when time comes, guide him to a law school.
Re:C'mon...this is crazy! (Score:5, Funny)
The BMW M5 has a very simple computer system, just a single turn and push knob. Easy to learn.
Start him on pico (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Too early for a "real" PC (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Don't do it. Not yet. (Score:3, Funny)
Now I'm a sad CS teacher finishing my ph.D. in high-performance computing. And I have 12 euros in my bank account right now.
Don't worry- once you finish your Ph.D., you'll have at least 20-30 euros in your bank account.
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
he's interested in anything that goes "ping"
Well, teach him how to use ping then...
Fish (Score:5, Funny)
Give the 2 year old a fish & you have fed him for today.
Teach him how to fish & you have fed him for life.
Why buy him a computer. Take him to Frys or something.
Let him pick out the parts & make his own computer.
Once he is done, point him to one of the Linux sources - he
can build his binaries & install it.
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
Baby Banger [goodeast.com]
They should really consider getting a new name for their app...
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
So short sighted!
Just think of the uber-mecha-geek that he could turn out by teaching the child so early on that:
1. Computers are more interesting than people (including you)
2. Being interested in the computer is the only way to make your father happy.
Social dysfunction and extreme geekhood here we come!
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
I bet he's not an AOL either.
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Too early for a "real" PC (Score:5, Funny)
The more important questions is... (Score:4, Funny)
Just imagine that proud moment in only a few years when he's asking you about Natalie Portman and hot grits! Or when he wake's you in the middle of the night because he clicked on something expecting to see a goat. Good times! And why wait when you can get him started now?
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
Well, teach him how to use ping then...
To be fair, event adults can be impressed with a a machine that go ping [youtube.com]
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:3, Funny)
You packet was rejected. It is not in the correct format. RST.
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
Indeed. I would suggest "Baby Beater" as a suitable alternative.
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:4, Funny)
Re:C'mon...this is crazy! (Score:3, Funny)
Whoosh!
Re:Oh, get over yourself (Score:3, Funny)
not to get too pedantic, but that should be an echo-reply.
bad puns should really be a SYN.
I quite agree. Everyone was out of order when they arrived at this thread, but things could be amicably resolved with a three-way handshake.