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.

--
Onda Technology Institute
1. Re:Maybe a 3d printer? by laejoh · 2012-12-20 05:19 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Add in the plans of a coffin!
2. Re:Maybe a 3d printer? by Beardo+the+Bearded · 2012-12-20 06:48 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Forget that! Add in the plans for a 90-year-old woman.
  Why not two seventy-year-old women?
  They'll both assume you're with the other one and he can get to the lab to get some work done.
  
  --
  
  ---
  ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
3. Re:Maybe a 3d printer? by Frosty+Piss · 2012-12-20 07:15 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Get him something that YOU want. After all, at 90 you can be sure it will soon be yours anyway!
  
  --
  If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
4. Re:Maybe a 3d printer? by Beardo+the+Bearded · 2012-12-20 09:25 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  But they'll give a wicked gum job. ;)
  
  --
  
  ---
  ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
If he is into tech and cameras.... by Lumpy · 2012-12-20 05:18 · Score: 5, Interesting

Get him a Camera Axe. Utterly cool things being done with that toy.

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
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.
  
  --
  
  Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
4. Re:same thing I always tell others by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-20 06:09 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  My parents' did that for their grandson - they asked what he wanted for his birthday and all he said was "I don't know/care". Well, that year he got a pink dress. Next year, he had plenty of good ideas.
5. Re:same thing I always tell others by Translation+Error · 2012-12-20 06:35 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  My parents' did that for their grandson - they asked what he wanted for his birthday and all he said was "I don't know/care". Well, that year he got a pink dress. Next year, he had plenty of good ideas.
  Of course he did! Now he can accessorize!
  
  --
  When someone says, "Any fool can see ..." they're usually exactly right.
Viagra by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-20 05:24 · Score: 5, Funny

Viagra
-- Your 90 year-old dad.
Captcha: Buttocks.
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.

--
I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
1. Re:Time by Quiet_Desperation · 2012-12-20 05:56 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They have everything they need or want, but what they can't buy is time with family.
  Mine could. I made a small fortune that way as a kid.
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!

--
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.
  
  --
  Central Ohio Home Theater Installation - The Theater People
2. Re:Interview this guy for Slashdot by CastrTroy · 2012-12-20 06:57 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  This is probably half the reason he's still alive/sane. I find that a lot of people die/deteriorate shortly after they stop working, or doing whatever it is they love. Sure a lot of the stories are anecdotal but I wonder if any serious studies have been done. I just read a story the other day about a 103 year old that rides his bike (now an adult tricycle) every day. He's still in great shape, at least for his age. If you look at most of the people to live past 90, most of them have some activity they are still actively engaged in. It's my theory that very soon after one loses the lust for life, their life goes downhill, and fast. My step-dad died at 55, shortly after his mother died. She had a stroke, and for about 10 years visited almost every day and spent a lot of time taking care of her. He had health problems for a while, but he stayed alive until shortly after she died. It almost seemed that he was holding out until she was gone.
  
  --
  
  Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
3. 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.
  
  --
  "I know I will be modded down for this": where's the option '-1, Asking for it'?
How about... by SternisheFan · 2012-12-20 05:27 · Score: 4, Funny

... internet service for life!? *ducks*
try this site by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-20 05:27 · Score: 5, Informative

try this site:
http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/
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.

--
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
If he's into his health and stuff... by Jesse_vd · 2012-12-20 05:42 · Score: 4, Interesting

http://www.indiegogo.com/misfitshine
This is like the Fitbit but new and more durable, longer battery life etc. They don't ship until March but they're leading the CES Last Gadget Standing Contest right now. I got one for my mom and one for myself
Re:An Arduino kit? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-20 06:27 · Score: 5, Funny

Heathkit Pacemaker
jr