Maelstrom: Martin's Musings

Kids and writing software

I am sure that this is covered in plenty of detail elsewhere but as I am with my kids and they are at the point (or close to it) where using a word processor is becoming needed. At school they use program which is an overlay for Word (and the other Office programs). MaxWrite, I believe. What to use? I have Mac, Windows and Linux (Ubuntu). While they use Win XP at school, we are pretty agnostic as far as the use of the different computers/OS. (started) Posting from my iPhone). Ironically, even though they use Windows at school -- they seem to like Ubuntu and Mac OS X more -- or at least gravitate towards those machines.

It is interesting how I can move them around from computers without too much issue. They are comfortable with all browsers -- but FireFox seems to be the favorite. I have them use KidZui most of the time for internet (gets them great content with a high level of

Image via CrunchBase

control over what what they see). Linux seems to have the greatest amount of easy to access educational software. But KidZui us good also, and I can use on all three systems.

Back to word processors. I do not know if I should use something different than what I have access to, or something even more focused towards kids. I have MS Office and or MS Works on one of the Windows machines, and on the Mac. I have OpenOffice on all t

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hree, and I have Pages (iWork) on the Mac. I bet there are other lower-end kid-focused word processing software. I guess the most obvious choice is OpenOffice, it is on each system so would be available no matter what.  It is also somewhat similar in general function to Word. One question for me is whether it is too complicated or bloated. But that I guess would knock out Word also. I wonder if OpenOffice would be too much for a NetBook as far as taking up resources? Probably need to think on this a little more. Any comments are welcome.

Well, one of my daughters has now had the h1n1 flu shot. It is harder than you might think to get this. My daughter did it through her allergist. My other kids and I are kind of in a wait and see, I guess.