In recent years we’ve been bombarded with a variety of computers, netbooks, laptops, SmartPhones and an endless number of gadgets and new technologies so even for the geekiest of geeks it can be quite a task keeping up with them all.
The ones that seem to suffer the most where new technology is concerned are the older population.
Apparently more than 6 million people in the UK over the age of 65 have never used the Internet according to a survey by the Office for National Statistics in August of this year.
In an age where primary school kids and even younger are running around with netbooks, gadgets and gaming consoles, it seems unthinkable that anyone could be left behind.
However there’s hope on the horizon. A new computer has been developed by Wessex Computers and a website called Discount-Age which is being aimed specifically at the over 60’s.
SimplicITy as it has been called has an incredibly simple desktop called “square one” and has only six buttons to manipulate.
Basically the clickable buttons will take the user directly to things like files, email, and the internet and to chat.
The email is a modified version of Eldy and users can set up an eldy.org email address.
Chat will be easy to operate as each person with an eldy.org email address and a SimplicITy computer will be able to chat to each other simply by clicking the “chat” button.
SimplicITy runs on Linux, the free open source operating system, it has no log in screen to have to deal with and no drop down menus to confuse people.
It also comes with no less than 17 video tutorials with well known personality Valerie Singleton as the presenter.
“I think people just don’t understand them,” Valerie Singleton told BBC News.
“I’ve been using a computer for quite some time and I don’t understand everything.
“Every time I learn a new thing to do on my computer I have to write it down so that I can remember it.”
Andrew Harrop, head of public policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged thinks SimplicITy is a great idea.
“Pensioners who aren’t online are missing out on hundreds of pounds in potential savings by shopping around and can also often miss out on the best interest rates for savings accounts, not to mention the social benefits of being online” he said.
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[...] thanks to Corrine for directing my attention to this gem,telling me all about a “New PC developed specifically for the over 60’s” which [...]