Simplicity computers for pensioners - are they worth it?

mathsstudent

You could try the Ubuntu (Linux) Netbook version:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook
It is designed for small, low power computers, but it should work on a standard desktop as well.
It has a pretty simple interface - big icons for internet and email and photos etc. Once you set it up for him (quite straight-forward) he should be able to use it without many problems.
If you take the download (free) and burn it to a disk then you can start the computer from the disk and try the interface before you install it for good. There's plenty of documentation and instructions on the website.

Lakeuk

See how he gets on with gOS, you can tried it out before having to install, just burn the iso onto a cd and boot from the cd. It's free, nice and simple.

http://www.thinkgos.com/gos/index.html

moonrakerz

Minerva69 wrote: »

Tried that, it didn't work!

Plastic ruler - knuckles !

robt_2

Set up a separate partition for him to save documents on.

Install Windows SteadyState (free download) and everytime the PC reboots it will revert to the original settings that you configure.

John_Gray

I like the way that mildly elderly people:
a) get patronised by being called 'Silver Surfers'
b) are assumed to have no technical competence whatever
c) get overcharged for PC equipment

I agree with almost all the previous comments!

Oneday77

Before I go any furter I wouldn't say the list PCs are great value for money. There are examples every day where prices are over inflated for their target audience, is a digital hearing aid worth £400 for a mic\speaker and battery.
This is being marketed as bespoke for the limited use\limited knowledge\limited visual ability user. The question is it any good? The PC in physical form looks over priced & the OS is Free. Do we have any idea exactly how tailored the OS and applications are for the target audience that has NO prior PC experience?
As far as the above advice about setting up windows to make it tinker proof go fo rit

john_s_2

No one's commented on the wireless keyboard and mouse. Those things are asking for trouble! All that syncing when the batteries need changing. And sometimes (from experience) they unsync for no apparent reason.

-TangleFoot-

Would something like xPUD be suitable? :think:

Nigelh_2

All of the comments above are almost 24 months old are out of date. Anyone really concerned to find a simple computer should look again at the simplicity computers website. New machines, new software and users who are so pleased with what they have bought.

Rather than patronising users as one of the threadees suggests, the simplicity computer liberates them.

debitcardmayhem

Let sleeping dogs lie and do not :spam: