Reviving a Classic: Setting Up an Old Laptop for My Child

Today, I’m excited to share a small personal project that has been both rewarding and nostalgic. I recently decided to breathe new life into my 12-year-old laptop by installing the latest version of Ubuntu. This laptop is now being repurposed as a learning tool for my four-year-old daughter, who is just beginning her journey into the world of technology.

With this setup, my hope is that she can learn to type and write comfortably, using a device that has been given a new lease on life. However, before she dives into her typing practice, I want to make the user experience as seamless as possible.

One of my goals is to configure the laptop so it automatically opens a text editor upon startup. This would allow her to focus on her words and ideas without getting distracted by the complexities of navigating with a mouse at this early stage. I’m currently exploring various settings and configurations within Ubuntu to achieve this.

Additionally, I have a curious question that I hope someone might have the answer to: Is there a way to set the laptop to start with Caps Lock enabled? This small adjustment would help her as she begins to learn how to write uppercase letters without any added frustration.

As I continue to work on this project, I will share tips and updates on making technology accessible for little learners. Thanks for following along as I transform this vintage laptop into a tool for my daughter’s educational adventure!