Ask Slashdot: Gifts For a 90-Year-Old, Tech-Savvy Dad?

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Ask Slashdot: Gifts For a 90-Year-Old, Tech-Savvy Dad?

Posted by timothy on Thursday December 20, 2012 @05:12AM from the subscription-to-vibe dept.

First time accepted submitter Bearhouse writes "My Dad amazes me with (a) his longevity & energy, and (b) his continued ability to mess around with electronics stuff. Since he already has things ranging from valve amps made from war-surplus, via an original IBM PC kit to an Android tablet, I was going to buy him a Raspberry Pi for Christmas. Turns out he's already got one. I saw nothing that really got me excited here, so your ideas would be appreciated."

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Maybe a 3d printer? by joaommp · 2012-12-20 05:17 · Score: 5, Insightful

Perhaps it's a bit expensive, perhaps it's not, depends on your bugedt, but he most likely would enjoy it as a nice addition and compliment to his projects.

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Onda Technology Institute
Raspberry Pi stuff by TheRealMindChild · 2012-12-20 05:17 · Score: 3, Insightful

A breakout board. A 16x2 LCD. A case.

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"When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
same thing I always tell others by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-20 05:22 · Score: 5, Insightful

I always tell people the same thing everytime they ask this question. Ask them. I am sure they have a list... If they dont buy them something retarded. The problem fixes itself the next year :)
1. Re:same thing I always tell others by toutankh · 2012-12-20 05:26 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  For some people (including me), surprising someone and showing them that we really tried to find something they like is a very important part of making a present.
2. Re:same thing I always tell others by cruff · 2012-12-20 05:36 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Unfortunately for those who are really into the details of a subject area, it can be next to impossible for the gift givers who are not also into those details to determine what would be a meaningful gift, especially of the recipient can afford to purchase their own items whenever they want, and they do so.
3. Re:same thing I always tell others by CastrTroy · 2012-12-20 05:54 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I find the best gifts, tech-wise, are ones that are form non-tech people who spent the time to research what's out there and manage to get something good. My step-mother buys wood working (and other) tools for my dad all the time, and it amazes me how well she selects them, even though she knows very little about the subject. She takes a lot of time to research and find out what's good, without just going out and buying the most expensive thing. This shows a lot of thoughtfulness, and he usually appreciates them a lot.
  
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  Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
Time by Dynedain · 2012-12-20 05:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

If your Dad is 90, and has the money for whatever gadgets he might want (as evidenced that he goes out and buys them on his own) then what he'd probably most want is to spend some quality time with you.
I know it sounds cheesy, but I run into the same problem trying to buy gifts for my grandmothers. They have everything they need or want, but what they can't buy is time with family.

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I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
1. Re:Time by MMC+Monster · 2012-12-20 05:55 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  How about a project the two of you can do together. Maybe wire a room for inbuilt speakers, add a video projector that hangs off the ceiling and a screen on a remote control and you've got a home theater. Throw in an XBMC system and a way to automatically rip DVDs and serve it off the network, with a universal remote control. Then add a TV tuner card, movie chairs, etc. Lots of things that can be done piece-meal but with a goal in sight.
  
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Interview this guy for Slashdot by wjwlsn · 2012-12-20 05:25 · Score: 5, Insightful

Maybe he's not famous or well-known, but I bet he is interesting as hell. We should all aspire to have that much energy, drive, and interest as we get older... I know way too many people in their 50s and older that refuse to learn anything new. Hearing about a guy that has probably been on top of the latest tech continuously for 70-odd years is just inspiring!

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Getting tired of Slashdot... moving to Usenet comp.misc for a while.
1. Re:Interview this guy for Slashdot by bmxeroh · 2012-12-20 05:47 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Seriously good idea. One of the things that stuck me when my grandfather died was just how much knowledge was lost. That probably bothered me more than him actually dying, but mostly because we knew it was coming.
  
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  Central Ohio Home Theater Installation - The Theater People
2. Re:Interview this guy for Slashdot by mvdwege · 2012-12-20 08:35 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I know way too many people in their 50s and older that refuse to learn anything new
  And as Slashdot proves, there are plenty below-30s that refuse to learn anything new because they think they know best already.
  
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For the man who has everything ... by gstoddart · 2012-12-20 05:38 · Score: 5, Insightful

A nice bottle of scotch or bourbon.
He can sip away at it while he noodles away with all of those gadgets.
It doesn't sound like he needs your help in finding technology.

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