Reviving a Vintage Laptop: A Gift for My Child’s Learning Journey

Recently, I embarked on a rewarding project to breathe new life into my 12-year-old laptop by installing Ubuntu. This computer is destined to become my 4-year-old daughter’s first laptop, offering her a fantastic tool to learn typing and writing.

As I set up the device, I started thinking about the best ways to simplify her experience. My goal is to create a user-friendly environment where she can dive right into her learning without the need for complex navigational skills. One idea I’m exploring is configuring the laptop to boot directly into a text editor. This way, she can immediately start typing and expressing her thoughts without having to use a mouse—perfect for a young learner just beginning to explore the world of technology.

Additionally, I have a technical question: Is it possible to configure a device to start with the Caps Lock key activated? This could be helpful for her as she gets accustomed to using the keyboard and forming sentences.

I’m excited about this endeavor and look forward to seeing how my daughter engages with her new laptop. If you have any tips or advice on setting up a kid-friendly computing experience—or insights on those technical questions—please share your thoughts!