KidDesk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KidDesk is a computer safety program for children that acts as a child friendly "desktop" created by the Edmark Software Company, originally created in 1992, although later versions were created in the future. KidDesk can be set to start when the computer starts up, and can only be exited through password entry, so to protect the child from damaging the computer, or its registry. Adults could choose what programs were included for the child to use, what icon represented the desk, etc.

[edit] Features

This is a typical KidDesk user's desk. The e-mail feature is the blue mailbox, the voice message system is the telephone, the frame with the picture is the image editor, the oval shaped plate is the user's name, the red cylinder with the writing utensils is the theme selector, the paper with Aug. 7 is the calendar, and the small icons and white text are the programs the user is allowed to use.
This is a typical KidDesk user's desk. The e-mail feature is the blue mailbox, the voice message system is the telephone, the frame with the picture is the image editor, the oval shaped plate is the user's name, the red cylinder with the writing utensils is the theme selector, the paper with Aug. 7 is the calendar, and the small icons and white text are the programs the user is allowed to use.

KidDesk contains many unique features that were often ahead of its time, they include:

  • An e-mail program that was incorporated into the desk. Using it, the child could send a simple text based e-mail to other KidDesk users on the computer.
  • A digital voice message system incorporated into the desk. If the computer was equipped with a voice recording microphone, KidDesk users could send and receive voice mail in an answering machine format.
  • A picture editor incorporated into the desk. This was used both in the Adult settings menu and in the desk itself. KidDesk users could edit their user logo with a primitive pixel grid paint program.
  • A calendar incorporated into the desk. This allows the user to set dates that the user finds important, and allows the date to be marked with a picture or text.
  • A password exit feature. For security reasons, the adult could set a password so that KidDesk could only be exited if it is entered. As an extra security measure, the password exit function could only be accessed if the user pressed the ctrl + alt + A keyboard buttons simultaneously.
  • The ability to alter the e-mail and voice-mail and set it to run an actual program installed on the computer's hard drive. As the KidDesk user grew more mature, the adult may set the e-mail or voice-mail to an actual program, if the KidDesk user was trusted.
  • A skin changer with all kinds of wacky themes, depending on the child's interests and hobbies. Themes include farm, princess, sports, ocean, etc. These themes could be changed at will.
  • The ability to add websites that can be accesed on KidDesk, and the ability to block hyperlinks, JavaScript, data entry, etc., on said sites.

[edit] Compatibility

 This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Due to its age, KidDesk works best on Windows 95 and 98 (however it has problems running on Windows NT). The Internet feature included with KidDesk does not work on Windows 2000 and above. Other features that malfunction with NT include the ability to start KidDesk when Windows starts. KidDesk works on Windows XP, however it is incompatible with Windows Vista.

[edit] Comparable Products

Peanut Butter PC is a comparable product currently supported and distributed by the Peanut Butter Software Company ([1]). This product provides equivalent functionality to KidDesk, but with newer features, Vista compatibility, and a dedicated support staff.