Government app to be launched next year, allowing Brits to access things in one place

robatwork

Jillanddy said:

Also, just a minor point,  but computers don't run apps. Smartphones run apps. How many libraries have smartphones available for public use? 

I'm sorry to say your minor point is incorrect. 

For what it's worth I hate calling PC programs and applications "Apps". However the world and Microsoft's view of it in particular has changed - Windows 10:



Not sure what Apple refers to loaded programs as, but Windows covers the vast majority of home/library computers. 

Marcon

Apps designed for smartphones don't necessarily work on desktop computers, especially if your desktop is getting elderly...

Jillanddy

robatwork said:

Jillanddy said:

Also, just a minor point,  but computers don't run apps. Smartphones run apps. How many libraries have smartphones available for public use? 

I'm sorry to say your minor point is incorrect. 

For what it's worth I hate calling PC programs and applications "Apps". However the world and Microsoft's view of it in particular has changed - Windows 10:



Not sure what Apple refers to loaded programs as, but Windows covers the vast majority of home/library computers. 

I'm certainly no geek, but my research suggests that it simply isn't that easy,  as it only works if the user also has a suitable smartphone - https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/android-apps-is-available-on-windows-10-now-heres-what-it-means-for-samsung-galaxy-users/
Or had installed an android emulator. It also seems that there are issues with multiple user accounts - public access computers by their nature have lots of users.  

Happy to take your word for the fact that is easy,  and you still don't need a smartphone or your own computer.  Contrary to every piece of information I can find on Google.  

But I'm not an expert....

Jude57

funnyvideo said:

I'm not saying poor people shouldn't have smartphones, but they shouldn't be expected to have one either.

The issue here is having technology forced upon us. I strongly believe if someone wants to live a technology free existence they should be allowed to do so. I once knew of someone who got made redundant from his job as a labourer in his late 50s and when he went to the job centre he kept being directed to the internet. He'd never used a computer in his life, he never needed to but the point was he needed financial support whilst looking for work and was being told to fork out on a computer.

I've been unemployed myself and would only buy the essentials during that time. Even paying £30 for a cheap smartphone is a lot when you're living off JSA. 

I can only speak from my own experience of being unemployed around 8 years ago and can confirm that, even then, I was directed to online resources . For me, that was fine as I'm computer literate and had a laptop and smartphone (which I only replaced 2 years ago by the way) but I was worried about being able to afford broadband or a phone contract if unemployed for a long period. I asked what to do and was given a huge range of options from job clubs, libraries, council premises with internet connectivity and public use PC's plus assurances that on site help was available at these locations. I was also offered free training in using a computer, although I didn't need that. My local authority and Housing Associations also regularly run free introduction to IT courses. While local services may have been cut, I've just checked and in my area at least, these sources of help are now opening up again.

The support and resources are there, if you only look for them.

Marvel1

elsien said:

And if you have a smartphone you don’t need to pay for a landline/broadband. Or are we now saying that poor people shouldn’t have phones at all?
You can pick up a cheap old smartphone for £30 odd - that’s what I just sold mine for. Being in possession of a smartphone doesn’t mean you’re spending silly money on an expensive contract. 

This, you can get a sim only for £5 a month or cheaper - but \I understand with costs these days, choice between energy/food/roof over head etc, that £5 can make a difference.

TBagpuss

funnyvideo said:

I'm not saying poor people shouldn't have smartphones, but they shouldn't be expected to have one either.

The issue here is having technology forced upon us. I strongly believe if someone wants to live a technology free existence they should be allowed to do so. I once knew of someone who got made redundant from his job as a labourer in his late 50s and when he went to the job centre he kept being directed to the internet. He'd never used a computer in his life, he never needed to but the point was he needed financial support whilst looking for work and was being told to fork out on a computer.

I've been unemployed myself and would only buy the essentials during that time. Even paying £30 for a cheap smartphone is a lot when you're living off JSA. 

In fairness, your friend wasn't being told he had to buy a computer. As others have said, there are ways of accessing online services without owning a computer, and there is support and help available to do so.

And other methods are not free. If you don't have a smartphone or internet access then using phonelines can be very expensive, so too can traveling in person.

Also your suggestion that someone who is " genuinely in need of financial support and have your priorities right then you wouldn't have a smartphone." is effectively saying poor people shouldn't have smartphones. Someone who becomes unemployed will, in many cases, already have a phone, it's not something which (for most people) they will suddenly need.

I think also that it is increasingly a necessity not a luxury, and it's unhelpful to behave as if it were a luxury or something which people shouldn't have unless they had ample disposable income

Own_Worst_Enermy

funnyvideo said:

I'm not saying poor people shouldn't have smartphones, but they shouldn't be expected to have one either.

I rent a 2nd hand laptop for £16 a month and my initial phone which was a Christmas gift years ago has never gone over it's contract amount with a lesser known network, of... £15.00 a month, years on. 

Whilst it has nothing really to do with what the mse advisor posted about, I have recently cancelled a short notice interview where the Employer just expected you to have the available ability to print a 7 page application form to complete simply hours before attending.  I have neither printer nor scanner (if it wasn't for use of family's which then costs in getting to; libraries around my way operate part time and I'm fairly sure not open past 7pm at night) but, which is also becoming increasingly expected or presumed these days.  I reckon it cut their shortlist down well for them as the form stated refusal to interview without arriving with it pre-completed.  My last job offer for barely more than earning minimum wage, I bet were miffed when all I could do was print forms at a minimum and post 'em, which took 6 days recorded delivery to arrive. I think they rather just expected the scanner/printer access at touch of a button, as said because of the times we're in  : /

robatwork

Jillanddy said:

robatwork said:

Jillanddy said:

Also, just a minor point,  but computers don't run apps. Smartphones run apps. How many libraries have smartphones available for public use? 

I'm sorry to say your minor point is incorrect. 

For what it's worth I hate calling PC programs and applications "Apps". However the world and Microsoft's view of it in particular has changed - Windows 10:



Not sure what Apple refers to loaded programs as, but Windows covers the vast majority of home/library computers. 

I'm certainly no geek, but my research suggests that it simply isn't that easy,  as it only works if the user also has a suitable smartphone - https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/android-apps-is-available-on-windows-10-now-heres-what-it-means-for-samsung-galaxy-users/
Or had installed an android emulator. It also seems that there are issues with multiple user accounts - public access computers by their nature have lots of users.  

Happy to take your word for the fact that is easy,  and you still don't need a smartphone or your own computer.  Contrary to every piece of information I can find on Google.  

But I'm not an expert....

You completely missed my point or I explained it badly.

I'm not talking about the government App or any app in particular.

I was making a semantic point that all programs and applications are now referred to on PCs as "apps". Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Solitaire... all apps. I hate this, but I don't get a say.

So calling it an app does imply to me it's for a phone/tablet, but you can't assume that's the case in general any more.