Computers for senior citzens???

OK I was talking to my older sister the other day about computers and she said her grandson moved back in with dad and that he took the computer with him when he left. Not that she went on but that she watched him on how he did different things on it that fascinated her. I mention to her about getting one and she said that she was thinking of getting a "Senior citizen" pc?:confused When I asked her what kind of computer that was she said it was a very basic one that older people as well as ones who haven't a clue of computers can learn and use fairly quick. She jokingly said she fit both.She said she was told of this by some people she knew. I have not heard of such a computer. Is this something that is there but possibly under a different category of computers, or am I that ignorant of the different types of computers? I personally would consider a pc from back in the 90's to be simple to use but then I started really getting into them at that time. Anyone have any idea what she is talking about or is someone trying to scam her.?

 

Hi BT, good to see ya! I don't know if they make one specifically for a Senior citizen, but you can configure a computer for certain needs, like large font, etc... Even a keyboard on the screen .... I started on a Windows '95, and that was really basic, compared to XP... I just wonder if that is what she was talking about. Buying one 'configured' for a Senior citizen. Do keep us posted, this is quite interesting..

 

Yeah, it does sound a bit like a sales spiel to an extent. Probably a XP O.S. on a reasonably decent system, without it being too fancy would be the least confusing. - Too old in either O.S. or hardware, and start getting driver and hardware issues, which would be more than a tad confusing for a beginner.

 

Agree with Phantom. If she gets a newer computer im sure shed be able to find more help with anything really that she needs. Never heard of a "senior citizen pc" though. Grandpa never touches a computer, but my grandma does and shes pretty good with it. She knows how to get on the internet and check her email and what not. I even showed her how to save her pictures that she gets in emails, and play games

 

http://www.webtv.com/pc/i/get/hardware.jpg

MSN TV 2 possibly? It's not a computer, but it lets you email people. Looks simple enough to handle. Probably not what you're talking about though BT.

 

Grandma needs an iPhone....

 

Are you serious? Darn small screen and screwy texting on a weird 'keyboard' with bad eyes and a shaky hand. I don't think so.

 

LOL Only if you expect her NOT to call you!:-D
You were kidding, weren't you? I wouldn't even have one of them..

 

Hey Thanks everyone. I'm gonna call her tonight or tomorrow so I'll get a little more details on what she was talking about.

@BOOMM I would get one but they get to expensive and addictive, but as far as grandmas, most loose there eye sight first.There fore it totally defeats the purpose.

 

I love how people assume that because someone is old they aren't capable of working a computer more complex than the average game of Pong. rolleyes

Not that we're doing so in this thread, but really...my mother got her degree in computer science when the mainframe was in a 40x60 room and used punchcards, and up until she retired three years ago (at the age of 70) she was the systems manager for at TV station. Granted, she may not know everything about my machine here, but she still uses it quite successfully more than I do. I'm building her one of her own for Christmas so I have a chance at using mine without scheduling time on it. LOL

 

Hi Sgt. Tibbs, I don't think it is a case of a senior not knowing how to use one, but more like buttons being a little larger, and easier on the eyes, you know, just to make it a little easier for those fingers that don't work as well as they used too.. I don't think they make one strictly for seniors, but certainly can configure one for them. I know plenty that use them too, but still complain about the screen, the letters being small, so just minor little things like that can make a lot of difference to them..

 

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/Ghettosavant/commodore64.jpg
Is that "senior" enough?? :-D

 

Any computer will do then just get a keyboard with larger letters printed on.

Then tell them to right click the desktop,click properties then appearance and select the large font size.

While surfing hit control and scroll the mouse wheel forward which will make everything on the screen larger in most browsers for surfing and emailing,then set your preferred text editing program to a larger font and your done.

EDIT in Vista

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/bdc9d003-777b-4b1e-9664-2957f50870bd1033.mspx

 

Of course, for Windows Vista/7, there is the Ease of Access Centre, for adjusting various items, from fonts and contrast, to Narrator, (for the blind), to sticky keys, etc. XP has the Accessibility Centre for similar tasks.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/default.aspx

 

Windows Magnifier goes up to 4X but there are programs that do a better job of accessibility for a price. My wife is legally blind and uses accessibility software that costs $999 a copy retail.

I guess I did not consider Grandma having shaky hands or poor eyesight. I worked with a man once who was over 70 and his wife earned $1000 per month on eBay. She went to the thrift stores on the clearance days and knew what to buy inside the $1 per bag full. he took all the photos and uploaded them for her and she did the shipping. You never know what someone is capable of until you let them try.