What the world needs is software that makes it easy for senior citizens to use e-mail.
Assisted living facilities for seniors already have computers. But how many 80-year olds can navigate Gmail or Outlook?
What we need is software that acts as a "mask" and sits on top of, for example, Gmail. Its main function would be to hide all the options that aren't relevant.
All you would see is very large buttons labeled READ, WRITE, and OTHER.
Seniors should never see more than three large, clear choices on the screen at one time.
And there should never be any double-click situations. One click is enough.
And seniors should only receive e-mail from people who are in their address books. No spam allowed.
Any attachments should open automatically, as if they are part of the e-mail body.
Obviously someone would have to be available to do tech support, including entering new e-mail addresses in address books, and that sort of thing.
You can buy a special computer that is customized for seniors, but it would be handy to have the software available for existing computers.
If grandpa lives with you, and wants to use the home computer to send e-mail, just click "grandpa mode" and get out of the way.
Assisted living facilities for seniors already have computers. But how many 80-year olds can navigate Gmail or Outlook?
What we need is software that acts as a "mask" and sits on top of, for example, Gmail. Its main function would be to hide all the options that aren't relevant.
All you would see is very large buttons labeled READ, WRITE, and OTHER.
Seniors should never see more than three large, clear choices on the screen at one time.
And there should never be any double-click situations. One click is enough.
And seniors should only receive e-mail from people who are in their address books. No spam allowed.
Any attachments should open automatically, as if they are part of the e-mail body.
Obviously someone would have to be available to do tech support, including entering new e-mail addresses in address books, and that sort of thing.
You can buy a special computer that is customized for seniors, but it would be handy to have the software available for existing computers.
If grandpa lives with you, and wants to use the home computer to send e-mail, just click "grandpa mode" and get out of the way.
Jan 1, 2011, 9:40:00 AM
hahaha good one once again. Reading your post and just thinking about my dad all the time i was just wondering if there could be any mechanism that causes senior citizens to get rid of the enormous technology block that some of them like my Dad has.
i mean it makes us exasperated when he can't even read SMS on his mobile phone.
That too when he has missed taking our call and we sit miles apart wondering if everything is ok with him.
To top it all he is so adamant for he thinks reading messages and all that is just nonsense.
Have any ideas to cope with that Tandarin...:)
Finally grab this comment box to first say THANK YOU for being so good to me and also to wish you and family a wonderful, fabulous trouble free and peaceful 2011. CHEERS !!
Jan 4, 2011, 7:09:00 AM
Thanks Shivani for your new year wishes. Wish you and your family the same.
I have no idea whatsoever how to cope with the dilemma you are facing regarding the huge technology gap with your dad. I too have the same issue as my dad is close to 90 now. Hopefully, we have some interfaces/software to sort this issue within the next few years.