Lesson plan
Launch Pad (software)
Launch Pad is an alternative to the Macintosh and Windows desktop developed by Berkeley Systems in mid-1994 for children aged 3 to 10 years. It provided a simple environment for users to help them to work without supervision. Originally a Classic Mac OS exclusive, it received a port for Windows in 1995. Launch Pad replaces the Finder desktop (on the Macintosh version) while active, providing a simple area oriented graphical user interface in which applications and documents are represented by icons and large buttons, and the interface could also be adjusted to match each child's age and abilities. It is unknown if the Windows version replaces Program Manager while active. While active, an "adult password" could be input at the logon screen which would quit the software and return to the Finder (on Mac) or Program Manager (on Windows). Aside from its security features, its interface and basic functionality was very similar to KidDesk.
Article summary
Launch Pad is an alternative to the Macintosh and Windows desktop developed by Berkeley Systems in mid-1994 for children aged 3 to 10 years. It provided a simple environment for users to help them to work without supervision. Originally a Classic Mac OS exclusive, it received a port for Windows in 1995. Launch Pad replaces the Finder desktop (on the Macintosh version) while active, providing a simple area oriented graphical user interface in which applications and documents are represented by icons and large buttons, and the interface could also be adjusted to match each child's age and abilities. It is unknown if the Windows version replaces Program Manager while active. While active, an "adult password" could be input at the logon screen which would quit the software and return to the Finder (on Mac) or Program Manager (on Windows). Aside from its security features, its interface and basic functionality was very similar to KidDesk.
Key claims
No claims recorded.
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
No sources recorded.
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.