Ubuntu 11.10

I am a huge fan of Ubuntu-- a version of Linux that is easy to install and has loads of software that has wide application to students in grades K-12. Especially today when there are so many Windows-based computers in homes, I firmly believe that students should have access to alternative operating systems in schools. Further supporting the decision to use Ubuntu in schools is the fact that so much of 21st century computing is cloud-based that all one needs is an updated we browser and one can be accessing information and interacting via ICT and Ubuntu provides several modern web browsers.

The most recent version of Ubuntu (11.10) has been released. If you have never used it, ask for (or find) an old unused computer... look for a computer that would run Windows XP or better... a Ubuntu Community Documentation page suggests:

The Recommended Minimum System Requirements, here, should allow even someone fairly new to installing Ubuntu or Gnu&Linux to easily install a usable system with enough room to be comfortable. A good "rule of thumb" is that machines that could run XP, Vista, Windows 7 or x86 OS X will almost always be a lot faster with Ubuntu even if they are lower-spec than described below. Simply try Ubuntu CD as a LiveCD first to check the hardware works.

Ubuntu Desktop Edition

• 1 GHz CPU (x86 processor (Pentium 4 or better))
• 1 GiB RAM (system memory)
• 15 GB of hard-drive space (or USB stick, memory card or external drive but see LiveCD for an alternative approach)
• 800 by 600 screen resolution
• Either a CD/DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media
• Internet access is helpful
  
  

Install Ubuntu and explore.... you may never buy a Windows computer again!