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Configuring a Windows PC For a Senior Citizen?

Posted by kdawson on from the keeping-it-simple dept.

An anonymous reader writes "I would like to know if there are any resources on the Web or elsewhere describing how to configure a Windows PC for an older parent not living in the same household. Assume little computer familiarity or aptitude. Some stuff is obvious, like using only a few large icons for favorite Web sites, or an icon perhaps for composing email and another for checking email. Other considerations are eliminating nuisance messages from Windows update and antivirus/firewall. What works and what doesn't? Can anyone who has worked/volunteered at a senior center offer some insights?"

10 of 823 comments (clear)

  1. Install Ubuntu by Peeloo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've had the same problem with my parents for years, going back home each Christmas to reformat windows and spending the week getting the configuration back to normal. For the last 3 years they've used Ubuntu, with some problem with the printer the first few months, but now I'm just spending a few minutes pushing the "Upgrade Version" button instead of a total reformat. They can check their mail/internet and you don't have to worry about virus/firewall, win-win :)

    1. Re:Install Ubuntu by silanea · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Second that. My mother had avoided any and all contact with computers up until a year ago. I slapped Ubuntu on my old notebook, gave her a crash course in "doing things with that machine" and happiness ensued. She does ask me things from time to time, but so far she hasn't been able to break anything.

      Particularly the update management comes in handy: On Windows every program has its own confusing and annoying way of locating updates. On Linux you get one window asking you for one click.

      --
      Rudolf Hess edited Mein Kampf. He was the very first grammar nazi.
    2. Re:Install Ubuntu by msormune · · Score: 5, Insightful

      A Week? Really? :) Why did you format it in the first place? Why did you setup a restore image in the first place created on the Windows clean installation?

      And the last time I did Upgrade Version on Ubuntu, it took an hour just to download the new files.

      I have really no problem your post and have used Ubuntu desktop with success in the past, but it just irks me how much GNU/Linux people bend the truth when pushing their agenda. Or maybe they really just don't know any better than just to "format and reinstall" on Windows.

    3. Re:Install Ubuntu by suckmysav · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "I never realised how much time I spent on fixing friends windows boxen until recently."

      I'm probably a bit older than you. Quite a while back I learned to "just say no". It gets easier when you can say "I don't use Windows, you will have to find a windows person to fix that."

      Inevitably, they then ask "Don't use Windows? What do you use then?" and I'm sure you can fill in the rest yourself.

      As you've obviously realised, life gets sooo much easier after you've done this.

      --
      "You can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
    4. Re:Install Ubuntu by BrentH · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Thing is, Windows systems do appear to accumulate clutter, no matter how you use it. Be it viruses or spyware (a big problem with senior citizens, in fact all non computer aficionados) or all the updates from the basic software utils you need (Adobe reader, Quicktime, some sort of Office suite), Windows itself even. I find that a Linux system (Ubuntu in particular for me) takes all that away. Of course, no viruses or spyware, and a central updatemanager that knows what it does and doesnt accumulate cruft in the way Windows does.

      If you want maintenance free, go with Ubuntu.

    5. Re:Install Ubuntu by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Dude, read what you just wrote. If you are serious, I would like to know how much you charge your folks for support.

      Score: 5 Ridiculous

    6. Re:Install Ubuntu by snowraver1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Grr, I wish I could so something about my parents computers. I got called several days ago, and then again yesterday after I didn't retrun the call (I'm a bad son).

      I am sick and tired of fixing fucked up windows installs. The problem is that windows is a major pain in the ass without an admin account, and running as an admin is just asking for trouble.

      Looks like this christmas, I get to fix a computer! YEY! Just like last christmas...

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  2. Done this before by dmneoblade · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Make sure you give the computer with remote administration capabilities pre-setup and tested. Be prepared to be called with questions, and remote desktop can save you a LOT of time when grandma discovers popups. Or when something inevitably goes wrong.

    --
    Warning, knife is sharp. Please keep out of children.
  3. While we're here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My parents have never driven a car, and i plan on buying them one for christmas.

    As well as never driving, they tell me they have no intention of learning but they fully intend to take it for a spin on christmas morning to go an see my brother who lives 50 miles away.

    Can someone recommend me a good car to buy them? preferably one which will work for it's entire lifetime with no maintenance or refuelling, and is instantly drivable by someone who does not know how to drive?

  4. 640 X 480 by Comboman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've tried to explain to my mom that she's not utilizing the full power of her graphics card and that if she wants large fonts, she can adjust the font size in the display properties to be whatever she wants. I even set it up for her once. The next time I came over, it was set back to 640 X 480 because "it looks better". Apparently big blocky fonts are easier for seniors to see than big smooth fonts. Who knew?

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