Version 6: After restoring my 12-year-old laptop and setting up Ubuntu, I’ve decided it will serve as my 4-year-old’s initial device for learning to type and write.

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Reviving an Old Laptop: A Smart Move for Early Learning

In an inspiring move towards sustainable tech, I’ve recently rejuvenated my 12-year-old laptop by installing Ubuntu, transforming it into an educational tool for my four-year-old daughter. This device will serve as her very first laptop, providing a platform for her to develop typing and writing skills.

One challenge I’m currently facing is optimizing the laptop experience for her, especially since she’s still navigating the basics of technology. Ideally, I want the laptop to open directly into a text editor upon startup, allowing her to dive right into her writing without the need to interact with the mouse just yet. This simple setup would foster a more intuitive learning environment for her.

Additionally, I have a question for fellow Ubuntu enthusiasts: is it possible to configure the device to start with the Caps Lock activated? This feature would be helpful for her initial interactions with the keyboard.

I’m excited about this journey of nurturing her creativity and literacy, and I welcome any tips or guidance that might assist in making this setup as user-friendly as possible. Happy computing!

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  1. Hello, and congratulations on repurposing your laptop for such a meaningful purpose! To have the laptop open directly into a text editor upon startup, you can set up your Ubuntu system to launch the editor automatically using a startup application or a lightweight script.

    • Set the default application on login: You can add the text editor command (e.g., gedit, leafpad, or whichever is installed) to your startup applications. For example: 
      gnome-session-properties

      and then add the command to open your preferred text editor.

    • Using .bashrc or custom script: Create a script that launches the text editor and set it to run upon login. For example: 
      #!/bin/bash
gedit

      Make it executable with:

      chmod +x /path/to/script.sh

      and configure your system to execute this script at startup.

    Regarding your question about activating Caps Lock by default, this is a bit more involved. You can use the setxkbmap command to set initial keyboard options, but to toggle Caps Lock to be active on startup, you’ll need to modify keyboard settings:

    • Edit the keyboard options via setxkbmap in startup applications. For example: 
      set
    Reply

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