Comments on: Dear Parents: Save Some Money, Use Kindersay. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:48:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Nik Kalyani http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1674833 Nik Kalyani Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:12:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1674833 I have to second the vote for UpToTen.com. The site is phenomenal. I started my kid off at 1-yr on UpToTen using a wireless keyboard with the Berchet Baby Keyboard overlay. Now she has graduated to using a Fujitsu TabletPC (finally...a great use for a TabletPC) with two apps -- UpToTen (off-line) and TuxPaint. TuxPaint is phenomenal...it's a free, Open Source paint program for kids (www.tuxpaint.org). It has hundreds of cool "stamps"...basically clipart that kids can draw on and around. Among the many benefits for my kid from using computers -- improved hand/eye coordination, alphabet and number recognition, foreign words, improved imagination and story-telling, time awareness...the list goes on. I have to second the vote for UpToTen.com. The site is phenomenal. I started my kid off at 1-yr on UpToTen using a wireless keyboard with the Berchet Baby Keyboard overlay. Now she has graduated to using a Fujitsu TabletPC (finally…a great use for a TabletPC) with two apps — UpToTen (off-line) and TuxPaint.

TuxPaint is phenomenal…it’s a free, Open Source paint program for kids (www.tuxpaint.org). It has hundreds of cool “stamps”…basically clipart that kids can draw on and around.

Among the many benefits for my kid from using computers — improved hand/eye coordination, alphabet and number recognition, foreign words, improved imagination and story-telling, time awareness…the list goes on.

]]> By: Hsien Lei http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1671600 Hsien Lei Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:22:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1671600 Fabian makes a great point. Kids know how to self-moderate. Too much of anything gets boring after a while. I think strict restrictions (although I do believe in teaching restraint) leads to unhealthy desire. Also, children mimic their parents. If you don't want your kids glued to the TV or computer, set an example and don't do it yourself! Fabian makes a great point. Kids know how to self-moderate. Too much of anything gets boring after a while. I think strict restrictions (although I do believe in teaching restraint) leads to unhealthy desire. Also, children mimic their parents. If you don’t want your kids glued to the TV or computer, set an example and don’t do it yourself!

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670610 Steve Ballmer Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:22:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670610 No advertising cigartees! http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com No advertising cigartees!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: Kishore Balakrishnan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670583 Kishore Balakrishnan Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:08:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670583 Dear Michael A feature within the comments that will help with any round up post. Let users sort/rate comments using Scriptaculous Lists with PHP ( http://www.gregphoto.net/sortable/ ) See an example @ http://www.namastenetizen.com/index.php?tag=colophon I would sort the other useful sites / comments to the top and our collective sorted comment list could be the ( starting point for your ) round up post :-) Cheers, Kishore. Dear Michael

A feature within the comments that will help with any round up post.

Let users sort/rate comments using Scriptaculous Lists with PHP ( http://www.gregphoto.net/sortable/ )

See an example @ http://www.namastenetizen.com/.....g=colophon

I would sort the other useful sites / comments to the top and our collective sorted comment list could be the ( starting point for your ) round up post :-)

Cheers, Kishore.

]]> By: RaJesh Anandakrishnan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670397 RaJesh Anandakrishnan Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:53:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670397 Mike, This is a nice site. In our case we collected videos from you tube & updated in a blog. This is the blog I created for my Son Adithya. http://kidslikeit.blogspot.com/ This blog is dedicated to my son. Mike, This is a nice site. In our case we collected videos from you tube & updated in a blog. This is the blog I created for my Son Adithya.

http://kidslikeit.blogspot.com/ This blog is dedicated to my son.

]]> By: Fabian Schonholz http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670395 Fabian Schonholz Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:51:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670395 My kids have had access to a computer for years. Normally they would share it with my wife or if I had a spare Linux box they would use that - as a side note, in 25+ years of using computers I have never ever owned or worked or contemplated using Windows; only time I was "asked" to do it I quit. Last Hanucha I bought them a MacBook laptop each and they do all sort of stuff now. The funny part is that we do not restrict access to computers, TV or video games. Once they finish their homework they can do what they want. So, you would think that they would watch TV or play video games? Not our kids. They might watch a little TV or play games, but for the most part, they grab a book and read. Of course they games and go to authorized sites, but in a very complementary way to their primary book reading. BTW, one of my kids is honor roll and the other well on her way. The point, however long, I am trying to make is that sites like this a great. They do help the kids develop in the moder world. One of my kids teachers was concerned about his handwriting. My position was: Why? He will mostly type!! I wish there were more sites for kids between 8 and 12 that were fun, educational and SAFE. My kids have had access to a computer for years. Normally they would share it with my wife or if I had a spare Linux box they would use that - as a side note, in 25+ years of using computers I have never ever owned or worked or contemplated using Windows; only time I was “asked” to do it I quit. Last Hanucha I bought them a MacBook laptop each and they do all sort of stuff now.

The funny part is that we do not restrict access to computers, TV or video games. Once they finish their homework they can do what they want. So, you would think that they would watch TV or play video games? Not our kids. They might watch a little TV or play games, but for the most part, they grab a book and read. Of course they games and go to authorized sites, but in a very complementary way to their primary book reading. BTW, one of my kids is honor roll and the other well on her way.

The point, however long, I am trying to make is that sites like this a great. They do help the kids develop in the moder world. One of my kids teachers was concerned about his handwriting. My position was: Why? He will mostly type!!

I wish there were more sites for kids between 8 and 12 that were fun, educational and SAFE.

]]> By: oded http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670382 oded Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:35:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670382 Hi I think i have the best gift to your preschool kids.. http://www.poissonrouge.com/ Hi

I think i have the best gift to your preschool kids..

http://www.poissonrouge.com/

]]> By: Dave Q http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670281 Dave Q Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:11:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670281 Another vote for www.starfall.com... It has kept my daughter from bugging us while we're busy finishing our garage web 2.0 startup ;) Will take Kindersay for a spin as an alternate. Another vote for http://www.starfall.com...

It has kept my daughter from bugging us while we’re busy finishing our garage web 2.0 startup ;)

Will take Kindersay for a spin as an alternate.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670250 Dennis Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:45:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670250 Elmo remembers one time.... Elmo remembers one time….

]]> By: sc http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670210 sc Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:12:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670210 With Sesame street, you know that tons of research has gone into whether the teaching media is effective or not. With teaching tools like this one, there is really no evidence that proves that this is effective or better than alternative modes of kids teaching/entertainment out there. With Sesame street, you know that tons of research has gone into whether the teaching media is effective or not. With teaching tools like this one, there is really no evidence that proves that this is effective or better than alternative modes of kids teaching/entertainment out there.

]]> By: Don Wilson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670098 Don Wilson Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:01:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670098 haha, I like they leaved the chain on the camels front feet for the picture. haha, I like they leaved the chain on the camels front feet for the picture.

]]> By: Marc Miles http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670057 Marc Miles Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:35:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670057 WOW, they f'd up. Kids must lean in CAPITAL LETTERS first not lowercase (from the screenshot). Every preschool teacher knows that. IDIOTS! WOW, they f’d up. Kids must lean in CAPITAL LETTERS first not lowercase (from the screenshot). Every preschool teacher knows that. IDIOTS!

]]> By: phenom http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670052 phenom Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:34:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670052 I don't have kids, so why bother visiting the site. http://vidsonly.blogspot.com I don’t have kids, so why bother visiting the site.

http://vidsonly.blogspot.com

]]> By: Louis-Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670005 Louis-Eric Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:03:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1670005 Good going Christine ! Although I don't think this presentation is exactly testing the breadth of her repertoire, know that this girl is freakishly talented. Good going Christine ! Although I don’t think this presentation is exactly testing the breadth of her repertoire, know that this girl is freakishly talented.

]]> By: Steve http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669993 Steve Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:53:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669993 I noticed as the URL's were loading that the service is hosted on Amazon - it truly does make it easy to start a site from scratch and scale without worrying about it. I noticed as the URL’s were loading that the service is hosted on Amazon - it truly does make it easy to start a site from scratch and scale without worrying about it.

]]> By: Bob Myers http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669986 Bob Myers Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:49:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669986 Can we lose the ads on the RSS feed (the ones from Dell)? They're too big and distracting and appear on every single post--which last time I checked was not considered best practices for RSS ads. Bob Can we lose the ads on the RSS feed (the ones from Dell)? They’re too big and distracting and appear on every single post–which last time I checked was not considered best practices for RSS ads.

Bob

]]> By: Daniel http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669912 Daniel Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:03:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669912 I don't think the point of the website(s). Is to sit your kid in front of them and leave. The point is to give you another resource to sit with your kid and encourage them to learn. My son is 6, he learned to spell his name by typing (He could type his name well before he could write it.) He can log into websites that require username and passwords. He EXCELS in school. He is also in Cub Scouts and plays T-Ball. He is probably a little above average, but most is attributable the fact, that my wife and I do ALL of these things with him. We don't let them substitute for us, we make them compliment us. I don’t think the point of the website(s). Is to sit your kid in front of them and leave. The point is to give you another resource to sit with your kid and encourage them to learn.

My son is 6, he learned to spell his name by typing (He could type his name well before he could write it.) He can log into websites that require username and passwords. He EXCELS in school. He is also in Cub Scouts and plays T-Ball. He is probably a little above average, but most is attributable the fact, that my wife and I do ALL of these things with him. We don’t let them substitute for us, we make them compliment us.

]]> By: Chris Hemphill http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669877 Chris Hemphill Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:44:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669877 One interesting children's product I have seen is the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad from Fisher Price http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=14040&e=storeproduct&pid=41685 which has interchangeable characters which you press to take you to their website. Elmo is the example where you press Elmo, and it takes you to sesameworkshop.org not allowing you to visit any other sites. My son which just turned 3 has loved in the past to sit with me and play the games on these kid friendly sites. Duncan you are right there are many other great sites out there as well, such as Cailou. One interesting children’s product I have seen is the Easy Link Internet Launch Pad from Fisher Price http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.....;pid=41685 which has interchangeable characters which you press to take you to their website. Elmo is the example where you press Elmo, and it takes you to sesameworkshop.org not allowing you to visit any other sites. My son which just turned 3 has loved in the past to sit with me and play the games on these kid friendly sites. Duncan you are right there are many other great sites out there as well, such as Cailou.

]]> By: michelle http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669830 michelle Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:11:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669830 Hmm, having developed kids media for ages I'm wondering what's so 'ridiculous' about the $19.99 price for the DVD product you've called out in this post? Hmm, having developed kids media for ages I’m wondering what’s so ‘ridiculous’ about the $19.99 price for the DVD product you’ve called out in this post?

]]> By: ripple024 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669767 ripple024 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:21:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669767 to the people complaining about your child sitting in front of a computer...how is this any different than electronic toys that encourage learning? i have a 3yr old son and i cannot wait to work through some of this with him. i will be there with him as we work on his letters...so what's the problem? too many conspiracy theorists ruin the pot.... to the people complaining about your child sitting in front of a computer…how is this any different than electronic toys that encourage learning? i have a 3yr old son and i cannot wait to work through some of this with him. i will be there with him as we work on his letters…so what’s the problem? too many conspiracy theorists ruin the pot….

]]> By: vozome http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669739 vozome Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:56:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669739 >The next time you’re too busy to actually spend time with your kid, just plop them down in front of the computer, What? and what am I going to do with my TV?? seriously though, I only let my kid (3 yo) play with computers exceptionnally and he knows his way around way better than his mom (who's not that interested in the whole stuff), I guess that's pretty standard for all kids in his generation. In our time, we had to deal with command lines and monochrome display... >The next time you’re too busy to actually spend time with your kid, just plop them down in front of the computer,

What? and what am I going to do with my TV??

seriously though, I only let my kid (3 yo) play with computers exceptionnally and he knows his way around way better than his mom (who’s not that interested in the whole stuff), I guess that’s pretty standard for all kids in his generation. In our time, we had to deal with command lines and monochrome display…

]]> By: Al Gore http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669723 Al Gore Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:41:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669723 Hey Michael, It's Vicious Circle NOT Cycle. Please correct. Regards, Al Gore Hey Michael,

It’s Vicious Circle NOT Cycle.

Please correct.

Regards,
Al Gore

]]> By: Amit Agarwal http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669679 Amit Agarwal Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:04:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669679 Mike, you are a star. As a parent of a 2+ year old, can't thank you enough. Just recorded a 30 second video clip of my son <a href="http://www.labnol.org/home/kids/english-learning-online-children-preschool-nursery/1513/" rel="nofollow">using Kindersay</a> on my second computer. He's loving it absolutely. Mike, you are a star. As a parent of a 2+ year old, can’t thank you enough.

Just recorded a 30 second video clip of my son using Kindersay on my second computer. He’s loving it absolutely.

]]> By: Shams http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669644 Shams Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:41:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669644 How could you suggest to put your children in front of pcs. Is it healthy? Do you know how many children dies in China because of dehydration as they spend too much time on pcs. This is absolutely not a good artilce to support. You guys not only run after money. Think. There are other ways to earn more rather than such evil advises. How could you suggest to put your children in front of pcs. Is it healthy? Do you know how many children dies in China because of dehydration as they spend too much time on pcs. This is absolutely not a good artilce to support. You guys not only run after money. Think. There are other ways to earn more rather than such evil advises.

]]> By: David http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669580 David Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:33:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/11/dear-parents-save-some-money-use-kindersay/#comment-1669580 Ok, so I check it out. I found it slightly disturbing. Sure, she's got great poise and pronunciation, but her presentation would scare me if I were a 5 year old...you can just tell she's trying to not feel uncomfortable blurting out a word and then smiling. Ok, so I check it out. I found it slightly disturbing. Sure, she’s got great poise and pronunciation, but her presentation would scare me if I were a 5 year old…you can just tell she’s trying to not feel uncomfortable blurting out a word and then smiling.

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