Kde vs Edu vs Gnome

[myshkin]

I recently started taking a more active role in the life of my wife's friends 10yr old son. With an absent father I (having no children) have taken it upon myself to teach him things that the father-sort ought to. He is showing an interest in computers. Well, mostly games but that's where I started so I'm taking it as a sign.

My thinking is that as young as he is I could build him a box out of all the spare parts my wife wants me to throw away (2 birds, etc) and use Ubuntu as the OS. I need some advice on which release-type of this distro would best suit his needs (kde, edu, gnome.) I plan to use what he is using so I can always be on the same page (and screen out the bad stuff, if any) so I'd like it to be functional for my needs as well.

I would really like to hear your opinions on this. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[sparks0548]

With a 10yo I would gear towards Edubuntu. My 3yo checks out what I do for work and took a system and setup Edubuntu with the educational games and loves it. There are games and educational software which are out of his league but would be great for a 10 yo. At least that way as time progresses and a basic understanding of the OS develops you can move him to GNOME or KDE. For me personally KDE is too busy, and I've been a data forensics engineer for 15 years. All personal preference. But if you want an opinion I feel that Edubuntu would be a great starting point.

[WebDrake]

The software range is the same whatever---no?---it's just a different initial setup. Why not try out some LiveCDs with him and go with whatever he seems to like most?

[AlexenderReez]

i think edu really suite it too
:)

[Bakerconspiracy]

You should reconsider your standings with the kid instead of just assuming that since you feel like being the father figure in his life, that he will automatically accept that. I had a lot of friends step-parents that would do things like this because they had an epiphany one summer afternoon that they should be a good parent (and psychotic things like what you were talking about, as in logging all their chats on aim because they wanted to "block out the bad stuff"). I'm not trying to be harsh or mean, just trying to get you take a step back and really rethink the situation before you effect someone's life.