Protecting your machine
One of the biggest problems with traditional paint programs is the user has to be able to navigate the file system to find and update his pictures. For a tiny tot (or your dad, when he comes to visit!), you just don't want to leave the file system open for that inevitable mucking about. To select an existing image, all the little tike need do is select a picture, as shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C


Save and open files by clicking a picture. Roll over picture for a larger image.

You can force the program to run in full screen, disable printing, and disable the ability for a user to quit, tab out, or otherwise exit the program.

When saving new images, you can force the program to never allow saving over an existing image, thereby making sure your little sweetie never loses any of her work.

We are the world.
If you're not a native English speaker (or reader), Tux Paint is available in a variety of different languages, as shown in Figure D.

FIGURE D


Viva la France! Roll over picture for a larger image.

But French isn't the only translation. It's got, oh, just a few translations, as shown in Table B.

Conclusion
We're very impressed with Tux Paint. It's simple and easy to use. It's clearly a program designed with kids (and fathers-in-law) in mind, it's flexible, and, of course, it's free. We give Tux Paint four suited Spheniscidae (look it up) out of five.

OUR RATING: 4 of 5

Jen Edwards is a student and handheld technology enthusiast in Dallas, TX. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of PocketGoddess.com and has also written numerous reviews for Brighthand and Geek.com.