Elderly person needs new PC

Need some help. Elderly person needs new PC. All they do is outlook for email and word. No real complex usage. Is visa really that much different. Could they adapt easily based on such simple usage.

 

Also, vista will stop uneducated persons from making accidental choices by asking SEVERAL times...

 

I belong to a local computer user's group. They have a program of instruction for senior citizens. They're currently using Win XP and have not, as far as I know, introduced Vista into the classes yet. But, just thought I'd mention that in case such a program might be available in your area.

By the way, you mentioned "outlook" and "word". Did you mean Outlook or Outlook Express? And, did you really mean Microsoft Word or some other word processing program? Outlook and Word are part of Microsoft Office, and it's a rather pricey software package. If this person has been using Outlook Express for email, that's replaced by Windows Mail in Vista; Windows Mail is quite similar to Outlook Express. Also, many of the new computers have a simpler office suite, Microsoft Works, bundled with the software installed on the new computer. It might be quite adequate for this person's needs.

 

Changing to "New" programs can be quite intimidating for some of the elderly, others take to it like a duck to water. You will need someone with a lot of patience, the "Stereo Typical Geek" with contempt for those with less knowledge, will just not do. The process has to be explained clearly and in terms the elderly can relate too. Terms that we use every day may be totally foreign to them so they have to be explained and not with a sigh and arched eye brows. It is a shame that the vast knowledge the elderly have has been bypassed by the latest technology, and this can be extremely intimidating for some of the elderly.

My father 91, wanted a new computer, so that he could have his great grandkids be able to play the latest games. I opted to order one with Windows XP, and the latest Graphics card, simply because he is use to the OS, as well as his Great Grandkids, he knows where everything is and feels comfortable. He is competent enough to learn "Vista", but what would take a younger person a day or two to master, would take him weeks. This makes him feel "Old" and "Obsolete", which isn't true, but those are his feelings and shouldn't be ignored. Hope this Helps

 

Thanks for your help folks. The person is quite sharp and should adapt pretty well. Current PC is so slow it takes 5 minutes just to boot up. Hard drive may be getting flacky also. Road runner connection is about as fast as a modem, so time for her to experience the joys of modern technology.