Linux distros that run on pen-drives are nothing new but this one's specially designed for the little ones.
Sugar Labs has now released version 1 of Sugar on a Stick, a bootable Fedora 11-based OS plus a set of applications that are stored on a USB memory stick. Although pen-drive distros of Linux are not new, this one is targeted for kids, with hundreds of fun-filled activities that can be downloaded form the SugarLabs Activity webpage.
Among the selection of activities are:
- GCompris Geography - which allows kids to familiarize themselves with the geographic locations of countries
- Speak - a talking face that speaks out whatever text the user types as well as enables him to chat with other users
- GCompris Read Colors - reads out the colors of objects when clicked
- GCompris Algebra Plus - allows kids to practice addition
- Tux Paint - an application that's, well, pretty much like the average painting program
- GCompris Watercycle - a cool way to learn about the watercycle
Just like any other pen-based distro, it can run on practically any computer that has a USB slot - even on one that doesn't have a hard-drive. It can also run on relatively limited and slow computer specs. Since all files are stored in the USB stick, children can plug their sticks on any computer.
Thus, they can use it on the Linux-powered workstation in school and continue working on the Windows-powered PC at home. What they'll see and interact with on both screen will be exactly the same.
The goals of the Sugar on a Stick project include: achieving 1-to-1 computing in elementary schools in a cheap way without compromising quality, serve as a learning tool for middle and high-school students, and to help people collaborate in learning conferences.
The minimum requirement is just a 1 GB USB pen-drive with a FAT16 or FAT32 partition. If you want to learn more about the software as well as how to contribute to the project, you can visit the Sugar on a Stick webpage.