Tux, of Math Command

Tux, of Math Command (TuxMath, for short) is an open source arcade-style video game for learning arithmetic, initially created for Linux.

Tux, of Math Command
Screenshot of Tux, of Math Command
Developer(s)Bill Kendrick, David Bruce, Holger Levsen, Tim Holy, Sam Hart, Brendan Luchen, Jesus Mager
Stable release
2.0.0 / April 14, 2011 (2011-04-14)
Operating systemCross-platform
TypeEducational game
LicenseGNU General Public License
Websitetux4kids.alioth.debian.org/tuxmath/index.php 

History

The first alpha of the game was released by its initial developer, Bill Kendrick, in September 2001, days prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks. It was decided that the imagery of exploding buildings was no longer suitable. Eventually the city imagery was replaced with igloos, to match the arctic theme of Tux, the Linux penguin, who stars in the game.

Since 1.7.0 the game also include a multiplayer mode and Factor-fraction activity called Factoroids.

Gameplay

The game-play mechanic is based loosely on that of the arcade game Missile Command, but with comets falling on cities, rather than missiles. Like Missile Command, players attempt to protect their cities, but rather than using a trackball-controlled targeting cross-hair, players solve math problems that label each comet, which causes a laser to destroy it.

Features

The game has multiple user support (useful for schools), LAN multiplayer mode, on-screen tutorials and a training mode - over 50 bundled lessons ranging from simple number typing up through all four basic arithmetic operations with negative numbers and "missing number" questions (e.g. "3 x ? = 12"). Being an open source project, multi-platform support for Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, BeOS and others is available. Localization to over thirty (human) languages was created by the games community. Included is also "Factoroids", a clone of classic Atari video game "Asteroids", modified to be an activity to train factorization.

Reception and impact

Distribution

TuxMath is included in numerous Linux distributions, including the Edubuntu flavor of Ubuntu. It is included as a game on the ASUS Eee PC.[1] It was also included on the Dish Network 721 PVR.[2]

Use in Schools

Numerous schools use TuxMath,[3] and school newsletters,[4] educational,[5] software websites[6][7][8] and publications[9][10] mention it, often together with other open source educational software.

See also

References
  1. Linux.com review of the ASUS Eee PC, January 11, 2008
  2. News from Bill Kendrick's personal website, December, 2002.
  3. Free Educational Software page at North Canton City Schools.
  4. Special Needs Tech News, Volume 3 Issue 3, March 2004.
  5. Educational software listing at SchoolForge.
  6. "A free education" article at Linux.com, May 23, 2006.
  7. "Five Useful Software For Kids" article at Techtree.com, May 23, 2006.
  8. "Sharpen Your Mind and Have Fun With Tux" article at LinuxPlanet, May 23, 2006.
  9. ASSUS Eee PC for Dummies, Part II: Day to Day with the Eee PC, Page 118
  10. Teaching with Tux, Linux Journal, October 21st, 2009
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