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GNOME for Grandma
An anonymous reader writes "PCWorld colmnist Matthew Newton has written an interesting two part article titled "In Search of Linux for Grandma", in which he shares his thoughts on introducing computers to a 75 year old PC neophyte (through Linux).
He discusses the new spatial Nautilus that he is planning to unleash upon grandma, and quote from the article - "Grandma is never going to learn about "opening a file manager" to "navigate her way" to her documents. They are all going to live in plain view in folders on her desktop. And when she opens them, there won't be any surprises."."
Perhaps one explanation for the poor usability of many open source apps is that while open source may be a great way to engineer software, the lone hacker collaborating via the Internet is ill-equipped to do anything even approaching proper usability testing.
All may not be lost, perhaps a software tool could be written to make such usability testing easier. It could record a user's desktop(perhaps using something like VNC), while also recording their audio commentary on what they are doing.
There should be a distribution that's really straight forward.
During install give the layperson the following menu.
What do you want this computer to do:
( ) Send and Recieve e-mail
( ) Author Documents
( ) Browse the web
( ) Play Music
( ) More options I've missed
( ) Advanced
In the advanced panel there should be "Install Antivirus and Firewall and autoupdater"
automatically checked. (Dear Trolls/Flame-junkies: When linux makes serious dent in the user
market, linux will require AV)
There should be a basic mode and advanced mode interface.
Basic mode should just have the options that were set up during the install.
Advanced mode would allows access to a bash shell and what not.
Both modes should be proactively secure.
One suggestion is that the ability to open dangerous attachments should only be allows
if linked to the use of virus software.
Linux could totally wipe out Windows on all fronts if it had the design philosophy like an ATM:
It performs it's function, and it does it well.
It's an approach i've taken with my mother and the family Windows XP box. I created a custom shell that displayed "Microsoft Word", "Tesco Shopping", "Log Off" buttons.
I have a happy customer.
Simon.
You still need a moderately advanced user to install and configure said user-friendly Linux box. Same if anything goes wrong, and yes, even with Linux, it will.
As my recent results showed, Grandma's only going to be okay if you're willing to come over and handle all hardware changed, and software installations. Good luck.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
From the description, "spatial Nautilus" sounds exactly like the Finder (file system browser) in Mac OS 9. Nothing wrong with that -- I prefer it to the annoying one-window-per-folder Windows Explorer -- but it's interesting to see this being described as the "next step" in UI design, when it's more of a step back (or a step away from Microsoftianism if you prefer).
I recently visited my Grandmother, who is quickly approaching 80 years of age. She is *highly* non-technical, and her spouse recently passed away, so she is pretty much on her own (in more ways than one, obviously).
We bought a simple Compaq for her back in the late '90's which was running Windows '98. It was a constant source of consternation and trouble. I spoke with her, and after a little debating, convinced her to 'revolutionize' her computing experience by installing Linux.
This I infact did, putting SuSE on her machine. I told her: "now, just leave the machine on all the time. You can leave the 'internet' window (aka, browser) always open. Be happy!"
Happy she is. While the DE used is actually KDE, the success of her transition goes to show that Linux is ready. In all honesty, I was surprised with the rapidity with which she grew accustomed to her system.
The most advantageous thing about moving her over: no longer are there long stretches of time where she can't email because her computer is on the fritze (she often had to wait for me or her son to visit and correct things). We've been in constant electronic communication since. It's wonderful.
I think that you need to look at it from the viewpoint of, "What are the basic functions that Grandma needs?"
If you limit it to just email and web browsing, then I think Linux is ready for this, if you set it up properly.
You can do your taxes over the web with Intuit's TurboTax online version.
If you add in that Grandma needs a word processor, spreadsheet, photo processing (got to get the grandkids pictures), etc. then the problem is a lot more difficult because you run into compatibility issues with different applications.
Is Windows XP really any easier to use when you get to that point?
Modern distros install all you'd really want for your PC as a grandma, Namely a web browser, an email program and a word processor.
The big problem's setting it up - so the focus should presumably be on a setup and install system that basically runs itself. This is where Linux can be tricky, but to be honest, when I installed SuSE 9, it was fine.
A clueless n00b will always need help, especially if they've never seen a computer being used before (which is the worst case scenario), so why not teach Grandma how to use it and set it up for her at the same time? And why not get used to using Linux rather than Windows as a first system? Importantly, Linux is harder to break, if you stay out of root, and doesn't suffer from viruses etc.
I think Linux for grandmas is perfectly feasible with modern distros.
---
"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing and it was everything that I thought it could be."
Unless Granny is very bright and willing to learn, get her a Mac and use "Simple Finder" or whatever it's called.
Mine's 71. I gave her an old iBook running Mac OS9 and she's happy as a clam (no pun int.) She uses the bundled OE & IE. Nothing else.
I'm not really a web designer, I just play one on the Internet.
I don't want to start a flamewar here, but isn't there a huge duplication of effort and needless competition created by having two competing windows managers? It seems to me at some point the two will have to be merged, for the good of linux as a whole. Really, I don't want any Gnome fans or KDE zealots arguing over which one to use, but for my 2 cents I'd go with Gnome. Although it is uglier it is (seems?) more functional and stable.
I don't understand why there are two anyway? I saw in the news X is forking too, Redmond must be rubbing their hands in glee. How hard is it for these guys to work together? That's the beauty of e-mail, because you get as long as you need to write a reply, it's always less confrontational than face to face. And these guys can't even get on civilly even with e-mail!
Meine Schwester ist sehr, sehr reizvoll - Nietzsche
My Mom's in her 60's and has an engineering degree. She actually prefers Linux because of the stability. Granted, she's been using Windows since the begining, and before that, DOS.
I don't think the author of this article gives old people enough credit.
This signature has Super Cow Powers
thought about doing but never bothered getting around to it.
:-) )
My Grandma is 80+ and she is using Linux today. It's not any harder than Windows boxes...you just dump links to everything they need on the desktop. Her biggest problem isn't the GUI interface for the OS...it's the GUI interface for the apps she has to use. Even something as simple as K-Mail has way to many features for her to ever use or need. Redesigning the OS for Grandma isn't really the path I think is a worth while investment in time. Building more basic apps that are easier to understand are...what is Grandma going to do after she opens up her star office document or word document? The complexities of those programs are a lot more difficult than just getting to her documents. As it turns out my project in replacing her e-mail client has been on hold for a long time now...I'll try and finish it in a few months...hopefully slashdot will grace me with free advertizing when I finish it (sorry I don't code for free these days
Nice idea, but it seams like it's the wrong direction.
My grandma is running Debian/woody on the machine I setup for her.. I locked most of her config files so that no matter what she does, it will not automaticaly save session information.. so if she messes it up, she can just reboot.
I setup 4 icons for her to click on.. OpenOffice 1.0 (writer), Mozilla, Mozilla Mail, and a button that does a shutdown -h now.. that's it..
I also setup the system with diald, so she doesn't have to figure out how to startup a ppp session.. works great.. she only calls me once a month about "problems with the computer" which always mean, something she forgot, and is doing incorrectly.. like when trying to click with the mouse, highlighting text in OOo, and then typing over the top of whole paragraphs of text.
"grandma, just use the keyboard"
Most humans can't keep upto date with technology as they age, neither should they be required to. I sure as hell will not want to learn Perl 45.0 20 years from now.
for the last time people, I am "frodo from middle eaRTH", not "middle eaST".
Rarely do I come across UIs on the mac that are confusing. Grammas everywhere should be so lucky.
Unless of course, YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR GRAMMA!!!
why make them suffer more over so trivial an issue?
.
While my parents are not as old as yours, they have been retired for a number of years now. About a month ago their win98 machine was due for it's annual fdisk like clockwork! Anyhow my mother asked why she cant try linux. Frustrated by Windows and couldnt understand why i never get p*ssed off with my linux box! I explained that much of her software might not work (the odd thing might run through wine) but she could use linux for her email and web browsing etc.
I tried her with knoppix first to give her a feel for it; evidently she picked it up almost immediately. My dad who is much less savvy has even migrated with no problems.
Anyway eventually I set them up dual booting windows and linux (Mandrake 10). The choice is theirs to make but 90% of the time its sitting there running linux and she just goes into windows to use the Family Tree Program now.
The best part is that from time to time when she goes into windows I hear her muttering about how much she hates windows!
nick
Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
Not just the GUI -- even the UNIX command interface is very different from old systems.
I don't see how understanding that there is a Von Neumann Machine 328 layers underneath KDE really helps one check their email. Is there any point there other than wankery?
Hrmmn...
A local exploit is found in kde. or how about a remote one found in Gaim?
Everyone is reccomended to upgrade.
Can grandma do this? Most linewbies couldn't. I mean, I'd think twice about waiting until the next distro; with current rpm packaging systems, I've broken things past my knowledge of repair more than once.
It could be said that a point release wouldn't be as dramatic, but all but the largest projects just tell people to upgrade to the new version. How long will even KDE keep up with older releases?
Oh, and that's not even mentioning if the problem is with the kernel...
There's been quite a buzz on Slashdot lately wrt open source and usability. Making a computer easy to use for "Grandma" (an insulting label for non-Slashdorks) isn't about limiting the number of icons on the desktop, or choosing the right text labels that these "Grandmas" of the world will understand. The slashdot communal mind needs to understand that usable software isn't just about adding a shiney coating to the outside--usable software has to be designed that way from the very beginning, and is a huge undertaking!
If you're interested in usable software, consider checking out these books: "The Inmates are Running the Asylum" by Alan Cooper, and Designing from Both Sides of the Screen by Ellen Isaacs and Alan Walendowski.
Personally, I hope that the recent trend on slashdot to talk about usability is more than just a fad and the open source world is finally starting to come around. These books are good starting points.
...blondes are offended that people equate being a a blonde with having a low level of intelligence and/or a high level of 'ditzyness'.
Stereotypes exist for a reason and there is usually at least a grain of truth to them, one man doesn't all of a sudden go 'I know, let's get everyone thinking that brunette women hate grocery shopping on tuesday afternoons! Tell all your friends'.
FACT: Your average 70+ year old woman does not know a lot of computers, if anything at all, in relation to other age/sex groups (I'm guessing most, if not all).
The grandparent was referring to grandmothers in general, it's not like he said, 'Here Mrs AC 48 Year Old grandmother, this is the kind of Gnome I think you would be better off with'. The more people realise that not everyone is throwing jokes directly at them because they are black/blonde/retarded the better. Women driver's anyone?
Abstract view of (some types of) feminism:
Woman: Excuse me, man in the street, we should all agree that the sky is green
Man in street: But the sky is blue!
Woman: But it should be green!
Man: Why?
Woman: Because me and my friends want it to be
Man: Look. The sky was blue millions of years ago. It is blue now. It will be blue for millions of years. You can pretend that the sky is green but no matter what happens it will always blue. Me and MY friends will carry on knowing that the sky is blue.
How long will it be until a computer magazine writer gets fired for writing 'Try and play Quake VII on anything less than a Gedeon XT and your frame rate will be slower than grandma at the supermarket checkout'?
I would say Linux is great for programmers and geeks, but also for complete neophytes who need to do very little with their computer; email, browsing, word processor, etc.
However I felt deeply alienated trying to use it myself. It had all this great bundled stuff, but I struggled to customize anything, save the wallpaper. Installing programs lead to aggravating dependency-something-or-others and it would take hours to do something that would take seconds in Windows.
However once it's all setup I'm sure it would be great, especially for grandma. I just don't have that kind of patience for headaches.
Corporations: your universal scapegoat for all society's ills.
> Do we think Linux is ready for this.
/actually/ run turbotax would already have an understanding of 'running programs', 'navigating', 'using the mouse', etc.
/think/ we're talking about grannys who just want email to see pictures from their kids, or stay in touch via little email letters, or follow an occasional emailed link from the kids to websites like Amazon or the NYTimes, and maybe receive an occasional Flash funny like the Dancing Hampsters or whatever.
/bare/ essentials, that I can /completely/ customize, so that I can disable or enable any hotkeys I want with minimal surprises for grandma if she types incorrectly.
Linux is just an OS; someone just has to put some attention to creating a package that makes a nice simple interface to mail and web. Has nothing to do with the OS, or even X. It's all in the Window Manager that sits on top of X, and the apps.
And I think the apps are there, and simple window managers are there, it's just a matter of someone configuring them to be accessable to technophobes, which means getting rid of all the hotkeys, and simplifying the interface so only the truly essentail stuff is visible (Reply, Forward, etc),
and get rid of the non-essentials (File, Edit, Preferences, etc)
I think Linux is actually easier to customize for the purpose of simplifying the interface down to the bare essentials for a technophobe; there are very simple tiny featureless window managers (flwm) that are easy to customize, and there are highly customizable apps like Opera that can be stripped down to the bare metal, and hot keys made so that the program can be used without a mouse, vis-a-vis web tv.
WebTV (the OLD pre-microsoft w/out all the stupid banner ads and advertising crap) has gotten the closest, I think, to making a usable system with the simplest interface; no mouse, no obscuring windows, no file menus, no drag and drop, no control panels or scary hotkeys like Shift-5times (windows sticky key mode) Alt-Spacebar, Alt-Tab, etc.
> But Grandma might hear of software X and want
> it. How will the be done, aka, I heard I can
> do my taxes on the computer with turboTax
Not the target audience grandma.
Any grandma who wants to
I
I think that linux totally 'ready', and has been ready since it was capable of running a web browser and mail client.
Someone just needs to offer packaged winmanager/apps that remove the extraneous stuff from the web/mail clients, so that they can be navigated entirely from a keyboard, and can be 'windowless' (only one running at a time), and automate all other aspects (internet access, etc), then it's golden.
Honestly, I'm surprised there isn't a package out there now (I haven't checked in the last 6 months), or if there is, these folks are still beta testing on their grandmas.
I was thinking of going with opera (where you can totally customize the keyboard to do all the navigation for you, and strip out all the other dangerous hotkeys) and flwm, a very tiny window manager that only has the
... just why is everyone so eager to accept the idea that only a techinically incompetent individual would want something simple?
For that matter, who's to say the even techinically incompetent individuals may not want things simplified? I work with techinical incompetents (of diverse ages) who seem to have a definite preference for keeping things as complicated as they possibly can...
A desire, preference, or choice for simplicity over complexity is not necesarily an indicator of technical competence or lack thereof.
Competence and a desire for simplicity are unrelated functions of the human mechanism.
There even some who believe that simplicity is Good, and the ability to make things simple is an inidcator of technical compentence.
The whole "it's statistics" excuse for stereo-typing is a) old and tired (it was already worn out the the 70's, ferchrisesake), and b) bullshit.
Of course, on the other hand there are the L33t tech freaks who are afraid that if they are subjected to something simple it will fry the Acme Complexity Generation(tm) implants they so recently spent the big bux on...
"The Internet is made of cats."
Do any other operating systems suffer from the list of problems that plauge Windows but not (currently) Linux?
To narrow it even more;
Does Mac OSX suffer from the list of problems that plauge Windows?
My point;
Why should Linux, in comparison to OSX, be worse for the same list of issues?
A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
Folks, it wouldn't hurt to learn a bit of history.
I think noone here said nautilus spatial feature were the first implementation. Most people even cited mac os 9 as a prior example.
Now, it being the first implementation in a free desktop seems pretty original.
Don't re-invent the wheel.
If the wheel worked and was trashed because of an inferior wheel (windows explorer), why not rescuing it? Did the Mac or OS/2 developers place a curse or something on anyone that implemented a spatial browser?