What Will You Create With Tux Paint?

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What Will You Create With Tux Paint?

11/4/09

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5 Comments Written by Leigh Shulman

One of these designed by a 5-year-old The other by 35-year old.

This free open source piece of software does wonders for teaching your child to explore imagination while learning to use a computer. But it’s not just for the two-year old set.

I first heard about Tux Paint — a silly, fun little program — from Wired’s Geekdad blog a few months ago. We downloaded it immediately.

Yes, it’s great for kids.

Cute little penguin mascot. Lots of silly noises. Great features that are all easy enough for even a two year old to use.

The Tux Paint penguin

I suppose they say it’s for children because aside from make stuff, you don’t really do anything with it. Although, as someone who regularly uses and teaches Photoshop and other design and photo-editing software, the logic process used to navigate this program sets the stage for using the more heavy duty photo editing programs.

And it’s fun.

I worked with it a bit so I could teach Lila to use it. Next thing you know, she’s sitting next to me as I’m rubber stamping cherries and distorting them with the bubble filter — known in TuxPaintLand as magic – while she’s begging “Mama, I think it’s my turn now. Can I have a turn?”

What’ll you make when it’s yours?

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

You’ve tried Tux Paint and want to move onto more advanced design software? Check out our Brave New Traveler review of free photo editing software found on the internet.

Matador ID: thefutureisred

Leigh moves around a lot. She's lived in five countries and spent the last three years traveling with her husband Noah and daughter Lila. For now, she's finding home in Salta, Argentina where she writes, teaches and is taking a deep breath before the next move. You can read more about her travels on her blog.

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Comments (5)

5 Comments... join the discussion!

Abbie replied on November 4, 2009

So much stuff we find on the internet has no real practical purpose, that’s what keeps Americans busy
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Leigh Shulman replied on November 5, 2009

You know, Abbie. I was thinking the same thing. From videos of bananas singing about peanut butter and jelly to watching someone’s beard grow (admittedly a very cool video) to reading tweets about Iran.

Some useful. Some not. Why not this?
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Bill Kendrick replied on November 6, 2009

Glad you guys liked it! It’s a pleasure making it. Thanks for helping spread the word!
-bill! (lead developer)
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Leigh Shulman replied to Bill Kendrick on November 12, 2009

Thanks for checking in on Matador, Bill. Yes, I love this program. Hope we’ll be seeing more too.
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KeralaClick replied on November 11, 2009

Nice. I Like this blog, added to my google reader. will follow it regularly. keep posting.
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