The deeper meaning of free enterprise: more tales from Ubuntu Linux

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my two boys, Robert and David, built their own Ubuntu Linux computers this summer. The computers have worked brilliantly, and other than one stick of RAM that had single bit errors and had to be sent back, the project has been a huge success.

But there was one big surprise lurking: I had no idea how much the boys would love Ubuntu Linux.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Ubuntu Linux, it is the brainchild of Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Thawte digital certificates and ISS cosmonaut, among other credentials. Ubuntu (which means respect, helpfulness, sharing, or community) Linux itself is a particularly user-friendly child of the Debian series of Linux distributions that "should just work." While it isn't on a par yet with the ease of installation and use of Mac OS X (which, to be fair, runs on a much more restricted set of hardware), it certainly setting new standards for ease of use in the Linux market.

So it's a cool Linux. Why do Robert and David love it so much? A few things make it truly special for teenage exploration:

• Pre-installed software. The system comes with a complete installation of OpenOffice for creating documents and the open source standard for photo manipulation, Gimp. And What kid doesn't love games? Ubuntu Linux already comes with a host of fun family games installed, from FreeCell to Tux Racer. And once the kids are done with those, there's always...


• Add/Remove software.. Unlike on Windows, where this is just a way to launch and modify CD-ROM software installers (and clean up after them), the Ubuntu Add/Remove software function is really a point-and-click software Internet downloading system. It categorizes and lists software available on the Internet for your computer. You tick off the software pieces you want, and add/remove finds them, downloads, installs, and verifies the software and any libraries or other components you might need to run them. The result? When the boys tired of the pre-installed games, they could download even more of them -- and other nifty bits of software like the Open-GL-based XGL desktop.


• WINE. Part of the frustration of being in a Mac-based family has been watching PC-based game titles go on sale for $5 a copy, while the Mac versions remain at $29.95. But once the boys figured out they could use Add/remove software to get a copy of WINE, install Warcraft III using the original CDs, and then play the game, they saw that suddenly that equation had changed. We now have $8 copies of Diablo II and Starcraft that they couldn't really afford on their Macs.


• Malleability. While it seems like games are all that matter to Robert and David, it really isn't true. Both boys are learning about computers and programming, and not just in trivial ways. Robert is busily studying C and how to build his own interfaces under GNOME. David is fascinated by how he can customize his system to reflect his personality. And best of all, it's learning that is fun and engaging.

In my mind, though, the biggest value they are getting from Ubuntu Linux is that their computers aren't products of a large, anonymous corporation. They put the hardware together themselves from parts. They select and download many of the software pieces that make up the whole of their PC experience. They are starting to understand that as they learn more and make their own contributions, be they modifications, new scripts, or completely new games, they'll be able to share those back with the community as well.

My belief is that the boys are learning with their PCs lessons not unlike those promoted by Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia or Nicholas Negroponte of the One Laptop Per Child project. They are learning that the true value of free enterprise isn't necessarily making a big business or reaping a huge profit. It is exploring their interests, acting on their passions, and creating new things with a community of like-minded people. If that isn't exciting, I don't know what is.

Technorati Tags: Build-it-yourself, Education, Free enterprise, Free software, Internet, Linux, One laptop per child, PCs, Ubuntu, Wikipedia, Wine