There are just so many programming applications that allow one to explore programming in a quick drag'n'drop and fun way. Imagine using Delphi, you drop the button on screen and you see the generated code right away. You then start to tinker with it and let go of WYSIWYG editor completely.
Apps like that were instrumental in my education. I even had superexpensive pirated 3d Max type of software to try myself at 3d modeling and understand what it is about.
I also tried lots of expensive and well-made software (at the time) from Adobe and it was a great learning experience.
I think the fact is, for many such cases pirated software is a great pragmatic solution. I understand there are ethical issues when suggesting something like that publicly, but the individual can make the choice for himself.
Scratch for Drag and Drop programming - Open Source
Linux and open source software are fantasic, perfect for a refurbished 7 year old laptop like this. Windows would also run like crap on one of these, Christ it runs like crap on an i7 with 16GB of RAM.
And the Linux market would have benefited from that, which fosters a growing community on the platform.