Useful and Friendly software for Kids- They'll love it!

I wish to share with you information on a few excellent freely available softwares on the net which are very good for kids! I will be updating this topic regularly!
TUXPAINT
http://tuxpaint.org/download/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxpaint/
Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program.
Kids are presented with a blank canvas and a variety of drawing tools to help them be creative. Tux Paint is completely free software, released as “Open Source” software, under the provisions of the GNU General Public License (GPL). This means you may download it and install it on as many machines as you wish, copy it for friends and family, and give it to your local schools.You can also download the free stamps pack which will be great fun for the kids as they explore the amazing range of tools provide in this sleek program.
TUXMATH
https://alioth.debian.org/frs/download.php/2972/tuxmath-1.7.2-win32-installer.exe
TUXTYPING
Tux Typing" is an educational typing tutor for children. It features several different types of gameplay, at a variety of difficulty levels.
http://tuxtype.sourceforge.net/download/
STYKZ
Stykz is a great multi-platform stick figure animation program in the world and it is COMPLETELY FREE!
http://www.stykz.net/Home.html
LEGO DIGITAL DESIGNER
The program that lets you build with LEGO bricks on your computer.
http://ldd.lego.com/download/default.aspx
GOGGLE SKETCHUP
Google SketchUp 7 can create, modify and share 3D models for free
http://sketchup.google.com/download/
SCRATCH
Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web.
Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create and share Scratch projects, young people learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaborativel. Scratch is available free of charge!
http://scratch.mit.edu/download

SETERRA

Seterra Geography Tutor - EXCELLENT and FUN way to learn World GeographyA very nice, and free, geography teaching package. Covers all parts of the world. Includes quizzes and map exercises. Runs in several different languages. Each exercise has a high score list. Examples of exercises: countries in Europe; US states; US state capitals; German cities; cities in Mexico; countries in Africa, etc, etc... Seterra is perfect for school use, for homeschooling or just for fun!
http://www.wartoft.nu/produkter/seterra/seterra.exe

ASTRONOMY SOFTWARES
STELLARIUM
Stellarium is planetarium software that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars. It's easy to use, and free.
http://www.stellarium.org/
CELESTIA
A free real-time space simulation that lets you experience our universe in three dimensions
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
The resources will continue........Enjoy! Thanks to those super developers who gave it free! My congratulations for their noble thought, excellent effort and ensuring its availablity to all!

Updated in Feb2012! Here is more useful stuff!!

Drawing For Children  Written by Mark Overmars
http://drawing.gamemaker.nl/

Drawing for Childen is a free drawing program for children with many nice options. You can draw with many different pens, you can put stamps on your drawings, create all sort of text effects, and much more. The program is suitable for very young children and has a child mode especially for them. But it also provides lots of fun to older kids. It is used by hundreds of thousands of kids all over the world. The best way to see what is possible is to simply download it and install it. Remember, it is free.

GCompris
http://gcompris.net/-en-
GCompris is a high quality educational software suite comprising of numerous activities for children aged 2 to 10. Some of the activities are game orientated, but nonetheless still educational. list of categories with some of the activities available in that category.

  computer discovery: keyboard, mouse, different mouse gesture, ...
  algebra: table memory, enumeration, double entry table, mirror image, ...
  science: the canal lock, the water cycle, the submarine, electric simulation ...
  geography: place the country on the map
  games: chess, memory, connect 4, oware, sudoku ...
  reading: reading practice
  other: learn to tell time, puzzle of famous paintings, vector drawing, cartoon making, ...

Currently GCompris offers in excess of 100 activities and more are being developed. GCompris is free software, that means that you can adapt it to your own needs, improve it and, most importantly, share it with children everywhere.

 ABC Color with Me
http://www.papajan.com/download/ABC-color.exe

- This delightful free software will entertain children for hours coloring pictures on the computer and listening to songs! Download time is approximately 5 minutes with a 56k modem. ABC Color with Me is available for Windows 95/98/ME/XP, and includes install/uninstall support.
 

Software jobs and their effects!

       I think there is a social problem due to the enormous stress the software jobs are creating on our young workforce..The BPO's, late night working hours, extended work hours, tight & unreasonable job targets are putting a big burden and drives up the stress levels to intolerable levels. The stress does exist in all kinds of jobs; but the recent increase in divorce, home violence and suicide incidents has driven me to open this topic. In the current scenario the youth are flocking in millions to the software jobs  which gives them the high salaries and posh life styles. But beneath this golden fleece lies umpteen challenges for them to face. 

       The current economic downtrend has seen huge layoffs and salary reductions which has stranded many software professionals. They are forced to cut down their lavishes and adjust their spending. But not many find the change manageable...This is a worrying trend...The earlier Indian system of a closely knit family (Joint family) used to be such a fine medicine in dealing with stress, boredom and loneliness. Now even small families are scattered; both husband and wife go to work..leaving the child/children at crèche or home giving very less time for mutual interaction. Feeling, thoughts, problems are not heard and there is no or very few people to confide in or talk to. Suicides and divorces are unfathomable, dangerous happenings which must never occur in any society.  Husband and wife live in separate places with children either living with single parent or at a boarding school. The upbringing of a growing generation of children is leaving much to be desired. Both parents role in a good child personality development is essential. I have more to say but only after you voice your opinion on these alarming changes....