Linux for the elderly?
in [UK Linux]
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From: Chris on 11 Nov 2009 09:45 Chris Whelan wrote: > I have always considered that Linux may become more widely used as > a niche OS; my thoughts were more on specialist desktops for > children, and I have set up several machines with some success in > this way. I personally don't think children are a suitable niche. Children are incredibly adaptable, they don't need much help in using any new tool. You simply need to point them in the right direction or show them how to it /once/ and they just get on with it. The only thing I needed to change for my kids was the size of the icons in order to cope with their shaky use of the mouse. Plus, put the more relevant apps on the desktop. My eldest (6yo) loves tuxpaint and I showed her very little on how to use it, but she quite happily uses most of the tools for pictures and prints them out. The elderly are a good target group, however, as they often struggle to adapt to new things. -- The email address is a spam trap. I rarely use it.
From: Chris Whelan on 11 Nov 2009 09:51 On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:06:06 +0000, Bernard Peek wrote: > In message <lhvKm.4$RG.1(a)newsfe20.ams2>, Chris Whelan > <cawhelan(a)prejudicentlworld.com> writes >>I have always considered that Linux may become more widely used as a >>niche OS; my thoughts were more on specialist desktops for children, and >>I have set up several machines with some success in this way. >> >>Here is a different take: >> >>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8352606.stm >> >>The key to this is going to be community; those struggling at the limits >>of understanding of their computers usually turn to their nearest and >>dearest, who are unlikely to have any Linux experience. If some of the >>knowledgeable folk here and on some of the various distribution forums >>were able to help, this could become a success. >> >>Any thoughts? > > The product was plugged on BBC's Breakfast programme this morning. I've > tried to search the web for it and there's no trace. The company that > made it "Wessex Computers" has a bare minimum web page. It's clear that > the organisation hasn't the first clue about marketing so I expect the > whole thing to die an ignominious death. Another Linux opportunity > wasted. On the page that I provided a link to, on the RH side, is a link to simplicITy (sic). (I have emailed them to ask under what licence the SW is released.) They are the company marketing it; Wessex just assemble them. The software has Mint underpinnings, together with something called ELDY. Chris -- Remove prejudice to reply.
From: Martin Gregorie on 11 Nov 2009 09:56 On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:37:57 +0000, Chris wrote: > Whiskers wrote: > >> On 2009-11-11, Chris Whelan <cawhelan(a)prejudicentlworld.com> wrote: >>> I have always considered that Linux may become more widely used as a >>> niche OS; my thoughts were more on specialist desktops for children, >>> and I have set up several machines with some success in this way. >>> >>> Here is a different take: >>> >>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8352606.stm >>> >>> The key to this is going to be community; those struggling at the >>> limits of understanding of their computers usually turn to their >>> nearest and dearest, who are unlikely to have any Linux experience. If >>> some of the knowledgeable folk here and on some of the various >>> distribution forums were able to help, this could become a success. >>> >>> Any thoughts? >>> >>> Chris >> >> Based on Slax, apparently >> > <http://www.experientia.com/blog/eldy-an-operating-system-for-the- elderly/>. >> >> I think the idea of 'something simple for the old folk' is rather >> patronising. > > I disagree. Some/most old folk really struggle with computers. My > parents are both 70+ and never had to use anything more than a > typewriter in their working lives. Now they have a Vista laptop and my > dad really doesn't 'get it' and my mum is quite happy to fumble through > until something 'works'. > > Simplifying a complex application like a PC to predefined tasks would be > very useful. In the first instance, at least. > >> When anyone is first introduced to 'computers' what really matters is >> that they can get suitable 'support' - which tends to mean that their >> 'support' is already familiar with whatever software is in use. > > Agreed. Unfortunately, I live too far away to able to support my parents > in Linux, hence why their Windows capable friends are their support. > >> However, this project looks like another small step towards the >> 'appliance computer' with a simple interface to basic services, and >> little or no user >> customisation possible and no 'updates' or 'upgrades'. Like a fridge >> or a >> washing-machine. > > I don't think that's a bad thing, at all. As long as the advanced > functions are still their for those who want it. > Agreed. If more computer-illiterates had locked boxes with good firewalls that ran something fairly secure, e.g. Linux with SELinux permanently enabled, there'd be a hell of a lot less spam on the 'net. -- martin@ | Martin Gregorie gregorie. | Essex, UK org |
From: Chris Whelan on 11 Nov 2009 09:59 On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:45:34 +0000, Chris wrote: > Chris Whelan wrote: > >> I have always considered that Linux may become more widely used as a >> niche OS; my thoughts were more on specialist desktops for children, >> and I have set up several machines with some success in this way. > > I personally don't think children are a suitable niche. Children are > incredibly adaptable, they don't need much help in using any new tool. > You simply need to point them in the right direction or show them how to > it /once/ and they just get on with it. > > The only thing I needed to change for my kids was the size of the icons > in order to cope with their shaky use of the mouse. Plus, put the more > relevant apps on the desktop. > > My eldest (6yo) loves tuxpaint and I showed her very little on how to > use it, but she quite happily uses most of the tools for pictures and > prints them out. > > The elderly are a good target group, however, as they often struggle to > adapt to new things. Funnily enough, it's the ability of children to adapt that makes me think of them as an ideal group; I've set up Linux desktops that are incredibly basic, and shown children as young as three how to use them. Some show no interest; others grasp things straight away. When they start using computers at school, inevitably it will be with Windows, and they can make the switch quite easily. Chris -- Remove prejudice to reply.
From: Bernard Peek on 11 Nov 2009 12:02
In message <hdeinu$7t7$1(a)news.eternal-september.org>, Chris <ithinkiam(a)gmail.com> writes > >The elderly are a good target group, however, as they often struggle >to adapt to new things. Don't say that in uk.people.silversurfers -- Bernard Peek |