Gran wants a computer!

p4girl

Hi,

Gran (who'll be 86 on her birthday!) has decided she wants a computer...!

She knows nothing about them, but one of her friends plays 'Bridge' online during the winter evenings, so I think this is spurring her on. Mum said she's too old, which has made game old granny determined to get online!

I've to advise her, and I'd appreciate some views. Money is not really a factor here, but ease of use is. I reckon either a cheap laptop I can set up with bookmarks for sites she'd like to start with, or possibly an ipad, because it seems so easy to surf with.

She won't really email many people, won't have any need for WP or software like that - I really think she'll just use google and whatever online bridge game she likes.

Is an ipad the way to go if we're talking REALLY easy to show her? Are there any things it won't do? She's very sharp, but a TV remote is as techno as she gets!:rotfl:

Tigsteroonie

We started my Nan off with a desktop computer when she was in her mid-80s, she primarily wanted email so that she could talk to relatives in Australia and receive photos.

I believe she has now upgraded to a laptop (she's now 90) and uses the internet - she even has a FB profile!! Most times she tells my Mum (her daughter) what she wants, and Mum then sets up a bookmark for her when she visits.

p4girl

Thanks for that - I hope I've got half as much energy when I'm 85!:j

skylight

My nans 87 and started surfing a couple of years ago. She started with emailing friends around the world but now chats on forums and does her banking and everything. I got for her an Acer laptop with not so much HDD but more RAM for speed - she doesn't understand you need to wait for the thing to turn on and warm up!

The most important thing was telling her about spam, scams, phising etc and making sure it has anti-virus/malware etc. This is set up to scan twice a week so she doesn't have to worry about it.

revpeachy

You're never too old!! Sometimes too young but never too old!

Contact your local age uk branch (age concern) and ask about beginners computing classes.

My nan thought you clicked the mouse at the screen like a tv remote control. She enrolled for 6 week course (she went every friday morning) and now she is a true silver surfer. I think it takes a lot of patience to teach them the basics and learning in a group her own age may help. Age UK is a good starting point.

TagEHeuer

Get her a mac

DCFC79

Are you sure your prepared for endless cries of help, i used logmein to log in so i can sort stuff out. nans been on the net for a few years now and shes ok but she hasn't got as far as online banking or facebook yet, email she is ok and surfing the net. She plays solataire and mahjong.

jaydeeuk1

DCFC79 wrote: »

Are you sure your prepared for endless cries of help, i used logmein to log in so i can sort stuff out. nans been on the net for a few years now and shes ok but she hasn't got as far as online banking or facebook yet, email she is ok and surfing the net. She plays solataire and mahjong.

Was just about to suggest logmein. Make it the first program you install!

A lot of these programs like bridge and poker from these numerous games sites come preloaded with lots of crap, lost count the number of times I've had to sort out Dads laptop as he blindly clicks 'next' during install. So make malwarebytes the 2nd program you install! Infact, set it up for her, and give her a standard account - not admin - if shes only playing around on email and internet!

giraffe69

For playing bridge(assuming you want to play against the computer rather than real live people out there) try Bridge Baron.

shop-to-drop

I don't know about online bridge but my mum had an ipad last Xmas at 81 and although she is limited what she does with it, she loves going on Street view and visitng old haunts she can't get to anymore.

McKneff

Wow...............Go Granny Go.

Tell her about this site too, she can ask for help with it,

Brilliant................:j:j