New PC for Oldies!

Simon · Nov 11, 2009, 21:58:38

A new computer aimed at people aged over 60 who are unfamiliar with PCs and the internet has been unveiled.

The simplified desktop - called SimplicITy - has just six buttons directing users to basic tasks such as e-mail and chat. The computer comes pre-loaded with 17 video tutorials from television presenter Valerie Singleton More than 6 million people over the age of 65 have never used the internet, according to government figures.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8352606.stm

Sebby · Nov 11, 2009, 23:30:29

Hmm, I'm not sure I like things like this. My bet is that it won't get anywhere and will fade away.

Gary · Nov 12, 2009, 00:05:04

Its Linux based, and you can disable the home screen of those six panels, really its ideal for some old dear who wants to chat to family the other side of the world via web cam though

Simon · Nov 12, 2009, 00:24:24

I think it's quite a good idea. If they can do their shopping online, it will keep them off the streets!

john · Nov 12, 2009, 01:03:03

Quote from: Simon on Nov 12, 2009, 00:24:24
I think it's quite a good idea. If they can do their shopping online, it will keep them off the streets!

Better still keep them from blocking up the supermarket isles

Gary · Nov 12, 2009, 07:51:37

Oh how time will catch you all up and make you pay for those comments

Den · Nov 12, 2009, 08:24:05

Spot on Gary, they don't seem to understand that time goes faster as you get older

Steve · Nov 12, 2009, 08:41:54

They don't appear to be good value for money to me.

Ray · Nov 12, 2009, 08:43:50

Quote from: Simon on Nov 12, 2009, 00:24:24
I think it's quite a good idea. If they can do their shopping online, it will keep them off the streets!

Ray · Nov 12, 2009, 08:45:05

Quote from: john on Nov 12, 2009, 01:03:03
Better still keep them from blocking up the supermarket isles

Ray · Nov 12, 2009, 08:45:46

Quote from: Den on Nov 12, 2009, 08:24:05
Spot on Gary, they don't seem to understand that time goes faster as you get older

Their turn will come, Den,

Rik · Nov 12, 2009, 09:00:14

Let's hope we're around to remind them, eh Ray.

Ray · Nov 12, 2009, 09:05:12

Quote from: Rik on Nov 12, 2009, 09:00:14
Let's hope we're around to remind them, eh Ray.

Yes indeed, Rik,

Gary · Nov 12, 2009, 09:11:08

Quote from: Ray on Nov 12, 2009, 09:05:12
Yes indeed, Rik,

Time waits for no one, I was brought up to help the elderly, and since becoming pretty much housebound without help I appreciate how lonely or helpless you can feel. I have an elderly neighbour, I get my carer to take me to see him, it cheers him up and I love his company, he is an old wooden boat builder. You should not dismiss the older people so lightly in our population, other cultures are well wise to that.

Ray · Nov 12, 2009, 09:17:51

Quote from: Gary on Nov 12, 2009, 09:11:08
Time waits for no one, I was brought up to help the elderly, and since becoming pretty much housebound without help I appreciate how lonely or helpless you can feel. I have an elderly neighbour, I get my carer to take me to see him, it cheers him up and I love his company, he is an old wooden boat builder. You should not dismiss the older people so lightly in our population, other cultures are well wise to that.

I agree, Gary, we must be one of the worst Nations for the way we treat our elderly and show little respect for them.

Rik · Nov 12, 2009, 09:18:52

The politicians, as ever, leading the way.

Ray · Nov 12, 2009, 09:19:32

Very true, Rik.

Gary · Nov 12, 2009, 09:22:22

Quote from: Ray on Nov 12, 2009, 09:17:51
I agree, Gary, we must be one of the worst Nations for the way we treat our elderly and show little respect for them.

I agree Ray, we just stick them in foul homes and abuse them in their own or on the streets, people are so involved with living in the now they forget they will be in that position one day, and then when they get hurt, or a firework jammed though their letterbox who is there to help

Noreen · Nov 12, 2009, 10:14:18

Quote from: Ray on Nov 12, 2009, 09:17:51
I agree, Gary, we must be one of the worst Nations for the way we treat our elderly and show little respect for them.

I was visited by a 78 year old friend yesterday, she has to use a stick for walking. On the bus there were no available seats and she eventually had to ask a young lad (about 12) if he would give up his seat for her to sit down. His reply was "Why?" and she then had to say that she couldn't stand, he reluctantly then stood up. Later she told me that she felt like hitting him with her stick.

Rik · Nov 12, 2009, 10:19:58

I can understand that. Courtesy seems to have passed its sell-by date.

Noreen · Nov 12, 2009, 10:29:01

When I was travelling on buses I seldom had to stand but it was always adults who gave up their seats not youngsters.

Ann · Nov 12, 2009, 11:32:39

Someone on the tube gave up their seat for me last week, I checked myself up and down and wondered why. Did I really look that bad!

Rik · Nov 12, 2009, 11:34:35

Maybe you should have checked them up and down, Ann?

talos · Nov 12, 2009, 11:36:55

These computers are not a good idea, if you learn on a simplified version that is all you will know how to use. The full size version is not that difficult to learn, it just needs lots of patience, just because people are old doesn't mean they are stupid

I found many do not want to learn because they are afraid of the internet, everything you read about it now is negative, viruses, scams, pedo's and bullies, they know if you don't go near a computer you wont be affected and they see no advantage in trying it

Ann · Nov 12, 2009, 11:40:13

That's just what I was going to say Talos. I don't agree with the dumbing down for anyone. We don't do it with tiny tots who soon become familair with computers. With any computer, you only have to do as much as you want to.

talos · Nov 12, 2009, 11:45:07

There are a lot of "silver surfers" out there, in fact I am one and I'll bet many of us on here are, we are the ones with the time and patience to interact properly. Friends who are not computer litterate, see what can be done and always ask " can I do that"

Gary · Nov 12, 2009, 11:59:29

Quote from: Ann on Nov 12, 2009, 11:40:13
That's just what I was going to say Talos. I don't agree with the dumbing down for anyone. We don't do it with tiny tots who soon become familair with computers. With any computer, you only have to do as much as you want to.

Ther are those that find video recorders hard to use and they are out of date now, those who are maybe a little beyond learning new skill sets, and these machines would help them communicate without being blinded by terminology, and antivirus issues and UAC controls and updates etc, like mobile phones with big buttons, there is a place for the very basic, my Gran could not operate a remote control when she was alive, but six panels on a machine would have been simpler, and she could have kept in touch with relatives in Australia then.

john · Nov 12, 2009, 12:31:24

Quote from: Gary on Nov 12, 2009, 11:59:29
Ther are those that find video recorders hard to use and they are out of date now, those who are maybe a little beyond learning new skill sets ...

I don't think everybody has the ability to learn new skills but what many lack is the will to learn. I think this new PC will help many but there will still be a lot who will not even bother to consider it even though they would probably find it quite useful if they did.

My brother installed a freeview box at my mum's a couple of months ago ready for the digital switchover but despite being shown many times she has never managed to use its remote control to access the EPG to find the programmes. It all seems to be a bit too daunting for her and she just uses the buttons on the TV remote to watch the analogue channels. Maybe when the analogue is switched off and she is forced to use the Freeview box remote she will eventually learn how it works. She has absolutely no chance of using a PC no matter how basic.

There is also the cost of getting an internet connection, when my dad was alive he was still going to a local computer class at 90 and had learnt to use MS Word and to browse the internet. I fixed him up with an old PC for free and suggested he got an internet connection but he always declined to do so. Although he could easily have afforded it I think the cost to someone from his generation seemed not to be justified.

Sebby · Nov 12, 2009, 13:26:13

Quote from: Noreen on Nov 12, 2009, 10:14:18
I was visited by a 78 year old friend yesterday, she has to use a stick for walking. On the bus there were no available seats and she eventually had to ask a young lad (about 12) if he would give up his seat for her to sit down. His reply was "Why?" and she then had to say that she couldn't stand, he reluctantly then stood up. Later she told me that she felt like hitting him with her stick.

If she had, she'd probably have got a criminal records. It's a crazy world.

talos · Nov 12, 2009, 14:44:54

Quote from: Noreen on Nov 12, 2009, 10:14:18
I was visited by a 78 year old friend yesterday, she has to use a stick for walking. On the bus there were no available seats and she eventually had to ask a young lad (about 12) if he would give up his seat for her to sit down. His reply was "Why?" and she then had to say that she couldn't stand, he reluctantly then stood up. Later she told me that she felt like hitting him with her stick.

There's a lot going on here, courtesy is not a right, because the lady is 78 years she has no more right to a seat than the boy, did she ask anybody else, did she thank him for giving up his seat, I suspect not, thus reinforcing this young lads attitude towards the elderly, her attitude is obvious because of her remark about hitting the boy.
Perhaps if on boarding the bus, she had announced to all on board that she had difficulty standing and would somebody give her a seat, she may have been surprised by how many offers she may have had. I suspect this lady is living in the past when men would doff their caps , stand when a lady entered the room or even hold doors open, alas times change

Noreen · Nov 12, 2009, 17:27:30

I don't agree at all, Talos. This lady is normally offered a seat when necessary without ever needing to ask and as I said I have never needed to ask either. I would have thought that the fact that he said "Why?" is explanation enough of his attitude.

talos · Nov 12, 2009, 18:03:15

But she needed to ask this time Noreen, sign of things to come perhaps, and the question "why" is not sufficient to judge his attitude, he was after all 12 years old, and I ask why did she ask him above a busfull of passengers, none it would appear volunteered their seats either, perhaps he appeared an easy target?. If she is normally offered a seat without asking, what happened this time?, what was the "attitude" of her fellow passengers?