Configuring a Windows PC For a Senior Citizen?

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?"

Comments

Re:Install Ubuntu

[josh_freeman]

You can lock down and secure any OS given enough time, effort and ingenuity. My Windows VMs seem to run along happily without any serious complications. My one physical window system has been largely happy.
That being said, when my mom's computer died the last time I told her that if she wanted me to fix it, it had to be a Mac, if for no other reason than the hardware is more uniform, so it's easier to write a stable os. Other htan having some printer issues, it's worked great.

Re:Install Ubuntu

[d3ac0n]

How the heck was that comment modded "troll"?

Can I get a mod fix please? That's just silly.

Re:Install Ubuntu

[d3ac0n]

When you are throwing your parents in an old folks home this guy will be building an addition onto his house to take them in then installing various custom electronic systems to ease their daily lives.

Yes, because we all know that people who want to quickly and easily give their parents a Free (both kinds) and secure operating system to do some basic computing tasks on without having to worry about complex maintenance and extra expenses OR the frustration that a virus infected Win system will inevitably bring them are EXACTLY the type of people who callously toss their parents into an old-folks home. Riiiight.

Or could it be that some people simply DO IT SMARTER than others?