computer recs for old people
Moderator: Dictators in Training
computer recs for old people
I want to get my 80-year old grandfather a simple computer so that he can surf the internet and keep in touch with us young ones. Any suggestions?
Re: computer recs for old people
ubuntu!
Maeya wrote:And then your head just aches from having your hair pulled so tight for so long...
Re: computer recs for old people
Naethyn wrote:ubuntu!
That's actually not a bad idea. You can get him a cheap Dell laptop with Ubuntu on it. Since he's obviously, probably not computer literate - the learning curve (which comes with switching from Windows to Linux) is pretty much linear.
With Ubuntu you'll never have to worry about him getting a virus or *accidentally* deleting key system files and causing serious crashes.
Seriously - get him a Dell with Ubuntu and life will be good.
It's exceptionally easy to use.
Re: computer recs for old people
How does it work? I buy a cheap computer, erase everything and put this free software on it?
Re: computer recs for old people
Menlaan wrote:How does it work? I buy a cheap computer, erase everything and put this free software on it?
seriously, don't give him something you're not willing to support in detail~
and when you do give him a box, make sure you can always get to it remotely to help him fix shit
Re: computer recs for old people
That's the problem. I'm in NY, and he's in MS. I'm looking for a fool-proof computer. Impossible?
Re: computer recs for old people
Get him a Mac. Seriously. It's unix with a really solid user interface and can be really simple to use for someone with no computer skills.
Re: computer recs for old people
Menlaan wrote:How does it work? I buy a cheap computer, erase everything and put this free software on it?
Dell sells computers preloaded with Ubuntu and gives support.
It's point and click, just like Windows, except it's actually a lot easier to use for a beginner.
If cash isn't an issue, get him a Mac. It's just as easy as Ubuntu, far easier than Windows and simple. Toss is spot on there.
The only thing is Macs cost twice what Ubuntu Dells do.
What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.
– C. S. Lewis
– C. S. Lewis
Re: computer recs for old people
Have to agree with the others. Either a dell with Ubuntu or a MAC.
Dell starting at $549
Mac starting at $599 (no monitor)
Dell starting at $549
Mac starting at $599 (no monitor)
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
Re: computer recs for old people
Just for fun I downloaded a virus scanner for this Linux box. A program called Aegis-Virus-Scanner...
I installed it, updated it and just for the hell of it went around to a few sites.
Then I scanned my drive... 4 viruses were found in the .wine directory - which is a simulated Windows environment. No viruses were found otherwise.
What does this mean? It means that had I been using Windows when I had clicked those sites I'd have 4 new viruses causing problems - on the entire machine.
This is something else to factor in. He's not going to be tech savvy enough to understand WHEN he gets a virus, much less what to do if he gets one - which is inevitable if he uses Windows.
I installed it, updated it and just for the hell of it went around to a few sites.
Then I scanned my drive... 4 viruses were found in the .wine directory - which is a simulated Windows environment. No viruses were found otherwise.
What does this mean? It means that had I been using Windows when I had clicked those sites I'd have 4 new viruses causing problems - on the entire machine.
This is something else to factor in. He's not going to be tech savvy enough to understand WHEN he gets a virus, much less what to do if he gets one - which is inevitable if he uses Windows.