Kid's Intrest Developed Operating System
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Kid's Intrest Developed Operating System
I like the idea of having a server that the OS's can use for updates, and skins etc... like Winamp does. The server can give recomendations of new kid friendly websites, and parents can recommend them to the server.
Good Idea -- Eventually when this is a huge success we could sell advertising space on that server and KIidOS favorite links to those advertisers that pay the most.Quote:
Originally posted by blindlizard
I like the idea of having a server that the OS's can use for updates, and skins etc... like Winamp does. The server can give recomendations of new kid friendly websites, and parents can recommend them to the server.
Opps - sorry I'm getting a little Gatesish (M$).
Actually I do like the idea. For the older kids, we could let them design and submit their own skins to share.
Has anyone done anything that allowed skinning? I really wouldn't know where to start. The other thing we could do is the old Dektop Themes windows thing, where you aren't skinning but changing the background, colors, incons, and pointers.
Maybe we shouldn't do the shortcut thing, maybe we should do a database and then make our own icon format based on .gif or .jpg or something. Then when people make icons for themes they are not just standard windows icons. because remember BIG icons. ;)
We could wrap Windows' Desktop Themes. All it takes is an extra switch (I think). I have a new idea. We could add a "Learning" section where we put programs that help kids to learn. And we desparately need a way to intercept the start menu (so if a parent installs something, it will show).
Omar
What do you mean? You think we could know when a new program is installed? Any idea how? That sounds cool.Quote:
Originally posted by Osnr
We could wrap Windows' Desktop Themes. All it takes is an extra switch (I think). I have a new idea. We could add a "Learning" section where we put programs that help kids to learn. And we desparately need a way to intercept the start menu (so if a parent installs something, it will show).
Omar
Would the learning section maybe fin into games? Or we could have differnt levels of games where the parent could set it so the child has to have so much time doing educational things before they can do non-educational things.
The Start menu brings up and interesting point. What's to stop KidA from pressing the start menu, going to control pannel and doing some serious damage?Quote:
Originally posted by Osnr
We could wrap Windows' Desktop Themes. All it takes is an extra switch (I think). I have a new idea. We could add a "Learning" section where we put programs that help kids to learn. And we desparately need a way to intercept the start menu (so if a parent installs something, it will show).
Omar
I wouldn't worry too much about automatically adding software to KidOS, at least not at first. If new software is added to the computer, the parent will need to go to the KidOS parental control section and authorize each Kid to use it. Otherwise we will have to have something continually running simply looking for an install inprogress, then upon completion (tough to detect) ask if you want to add permissions for KidA, KidB, KidC...
What do you think?
Well I thought at first about making this a shell replacement which means it would replace exploere.exe so there would be no statr menu. When Windows boots, it would run KidOS insted of Explorer. However, I cannot find how to do this in 2K or XP because there is not shell entry in system.ini. With all that in mind, I think this should just run on top of exploer. We can trap ctrl+alt+del and the windows key to keep the start menu from coming up. The program would run allways on top, so as to apear as the desktop.
I think we leave it up to the parent to explicitly say what programs the kid can and can't use. I don't want my 5 year old playing Counter-Strike, I installed it for me :D .Quote:
Originally posted by cbond
The Start menu brings up and interesting point. What's to stop KidA from pressing the start menu, going to control pannel and doing some serious damage?
I wouldn't worry too much about automatically adding software to KidOS, at least not at first. If new software is added to the computer, the parent will need to go to the KidOS parental control section and authorize each Kid to use it. Otherwise we will have to have something continually running simply looking for an install inprogress, then upon completion (tough to detect) ask if you want to add permissions for KidA, KidB, KidC...
What do you think?
There are ways to hide the desktop and taskbar... Actually, let's let the parent decide. However, to make it easier for the parent, we monitor and bring up a list when the Program FIles folder changes.
Omar
Ok, so check the program files folder when the parent logs in and tell them what is new to see if they want to add it. I like that. Also, I think we always hide the regular desktop and start menu. In parent mode, they can chose to kill the app and get to their desktop. I think we should add the app to either the startup folder or the Run key in the registry so the app runs at startup. That wasy if children boot the machine---boom they go to KidOS.Quote:
Originally posted by Osnr
There are ways to hide the desktop and taskbar... Actually, let's let the parent decide. However, to make it easier for the parent, we monitor and bring up a list when the Program FIles folder changes.
Omar
Oh, another idea if it is possible, we could have KidOS come up after the screensaver does. Then we bypass the problem cbond has with his kids messing with his desktop when he forgets to logoff. If the kids come to the computer that has the screen saver on, they go right ot KidOS.
You think I use a screen saver? I thought that's what the little round button on the monitor was for... you know the one it has a "l" and a "O" next to it.Quote:
Originally posted by blindlizard
Oh, another idea if it is possible, we could have KidOS come up after the screensaver does. Then we bypass the problem cbond has with his kids messing with his desktop when he forgets to logoff. If the kids come to the computer that has the screen saver on, they go right ot KidOS.
But really, that is a good idea, but we need a prety quick and simple way for a parent to close the app and get to the desktop, as well as a way to totally disable that feature.
Here is a link to MSDN Shell Programmer's Guide.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...hell_intro.asp It may generate some ideas
We could simply hide the desktop/start menu and show it again. An idea for the XP-style login screen: Why not put a seperator line dividing it into parent and kid sections?
UPDATE: What about WIndows' built-in user facility? We don't want two login screens. We need to give parents clear instructions and/or a program to disableWindows' login screen. And KidOS must be installed under an NT admin account/Win9x user, or else the parent function will break.
The install of the program could automaticly set up a screen saver
It could be jsut like on my 2K machine. I have the login screen come up when the scrensaver does. So, the parent can boot up, and get to the KidOS login. They can either log into KidOS, or go straight to regular explorer.Quote:
Originally posted by Osnr
We could simply hide the desktop/start menu and show it again. An idea for the XP-style login screen: Why not put a seperator line dividing it into parent and kid sections?
Ok, we could replace the NT login if on an NT based machine, or if on 9x we can give them a loginQuote:
Originally posted by Osnr
We could simply hide the desktop/start menu and show it again. An idea for the XP-style login screen: Why not put a seperator line dividing it into parent and kid sections?
UPDATE: What about WIndows' built-in user facility? We don't want two login screens. We need to give parents clear instructions and/or a program to disableWindows' login screen. And KidOS must be installed under an NT admin account/Win9x user, or else the parent function will break.
Any more thoughts before a post another summary?
Well, no. Just wanted to post:
Happy New Year's Eve!
Is it the New Year there now. Where are you?
Hmmm....... interesting thread.......
I might be interested (my 7month old loves to bang the keys), but there's a few things I think need to be pointed out:
1) Colors -- I like the idea of different users having different "profiles." My 7mo would love it if the colors Red, Black and White were used (highest contrast). Where as, when she gets older, we can work in other shades & colors.
2) The idea of disabling the taskbar and Ctrl-Alt-Del is good, BUT, don't forget to leave a way out -- A button wouldn't be a good idea, since it could be clicked by accident.
3) The Program Files directory -- nto everything installs into the Program Files dir, & if you are like me, I have multiple drives, each with their own Program Files dir.
4) Don't like the idea of kicking in KidOS automatically w/ the screen saver. Could cause a lot of problems.
5) I'm not too keen on it being a shell replacement either.... even if Win2K or XP supported such. The shell that runs doesn't depend on the user logging in.... what if I wanted to use the computer?
6) As a maximized app (so that it covers the entire desktop), I like it. BTW: You could put it into the StartUp dir of the kid's login (for those that can set up users on their machines like that) so that it automatically starts up when they login.
I'm sure I'll have more later.....
No, no, no. We have different account types (like NT/2k/XP), as in Kid/Parent. No it isn't it's New Year's Eve in the afternoon. Also: We can automatically detect other Program FIles folders by way of a simple search. And we can get the main one by the API.
We can look at the start menufolders on 2K machines C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
Remember though we are talking about multiple OS's here for the login. 9x has not log in, this would create one, NT/2K/XP we can replace the regular login.
Just thought of something. What OS's does everyone have loaded for testing? I have 2 Win2K machines and a 98 Machine. Does anyone have XP, 95, and ME?
techgnome, if you wanted to use the computer, you would log in as a parent, and then kill the app. This would then take you to the regular Windows desktop.
I have 98se and Win2K.
My XP machine is a work machine - since we aren't a development shop. (Insurance Company) using my production machine for test may be shakey.
Not that that has ever stopped me before!
Too complicated and too much work.Quote:
Originally posted by blindlizard
techgnome, if you wanted to use the computer, you would log in as a parent, and then kill the app. This would then take you to the regular Windows desktop.
XP Pro on one PC, and Windows 98 on the other. Don't depend on the Win98 test PC too much - I'll be replacing it with Red Hat Linux 8.0 in a matter of minutes.
Time for another summary:
1) We want an XP style interface
2) The user can choose between different themes
3) The are different levels of user from basic (cannot read) to Parents
4) The parents log into the same application to do parental tasks
5) Icons will be big and colorful
6) Try to stick to primary colors Red, Yellow, Blue, Green
7) The desktop is split into sections (Games, Music, Videos, Paint, Web)
8) The games section will only show educational games until the child has used them for some time (determined by the parent) then all the games show.
8) Parents can add other sections
9) Save programs to database related to thier icons not shortcuts
10) the loggin will be like XP with icons for each user.
11) The login will replace the windows loggin if on NT based machine
12) The program will come up from either the startup folder or Run registry key
13) The program will come up with the screen saver
14) The program will disable ctrl+alt+del and Windows key
15) All these options can be turned on/off by the parent.
16) The parent can log in, or go straight to Windows.
17) Download more themes from a web server
18) Get kid site ideas from a web server
19) Make money on the web server (cbond) :)
20) aafuss is making some sample icons
21) Need to find 95 and ME machines to test
22) Use the MS Agent to talk to the users
Too complicated? You want kids to be able to go to the Start menu? Sometimes you have to compromise.
Omar
Exactly. The point of this is to keep kids out of Windows. This may mean the parents have a few more clicks. But we can let the parent turn off the boot to KidOS, for those who want to run it for the kids each time they get on the computer.Quote:
Originally posted by Osnr
Too complicated? You want kids to be able to go to the Start menu? Sometimes you have to compromise.
Omar
I didn't say that at all....... If all I need to do is check my email, it adds a layer of complexity that I could do with out.Quote:
Originally posted by Osnr
Too complicated? You want kids to be able to go to the Start menu? Sometimes you have to compromise.
Omar
Okay, here's the deal. I work with computers. I fall into that category just above a power user, I'm not the typical ordinary home user. I've got my system "tricked out" so to speak. So, when it comes time for my daughter to start using the computer (which at the rate things are going, won't be too much longer), I'll create a user login for her to use. And in the Startup folder, I'll toss in a short cut to the KidOS app. Then when ever we loger her in(or she loges herself in whe she's old enough), the app will start up, and let her do what ever.
For me, if I were to have to login, kill and app, switch to Windows, login again just to check my email, get my checkbook balance, or print off a document..... it's too much, I'd never use it.
I don't think the idea is to keep kids out of Windows but to protect Windows form the kids. Big difference. Admitidly, I've got a toin of stuff on my system that my daughter doesn't need acces too. Fine, I'll use NTFS to setup security to prevent her login from getting to it. To me it's not a big deal. I know how to protect the machine from her inadvertant clicking...... But.... I do like the idea of a kid oriented interface that Win doesn't offer.Quote:
Originally posted by blindlizard
Exactly. The point of this is to keep kids out of Windows. This may mean the parents have a few more clicks. But we can let the parent turn off the boot to KidOS, for those who want to run it for the kids each time they get on the computer.
I leave my computer on 24X7. My kids are too young to log themselves in. I don't want to have to log out and go log them in when they want to play Blues Clues. They go in the office, and go to Blues Clues. They know Blues Clues because of the desktop icon. My problem is that when they are playing, they may hit the windows key. This brings up the start menu. THen all hell breaks loose. This is why I thought that turning it on with the screensaver would help.
And I think that's going to be the rub. What works for one person isn't going to work for another, and so on.
New idea (inspired by techgnome)!
We could list the items in the normal programs menu for parents and then they could run programs without ending KidOS!