Actually, a PC with the Windows AIM client works very well with a Mac running iChat. I do it with my friends in Ohio all the time.
So you could get your grandparents a cheap MacBook (or Mini), and you (assuming you're running a Windows box) only have to pitch in for a AIM-compatible webcam.
Or if you wanted to go the Linux route, you could use Skype on your Platform Of Choice(tm).
In my company, I've noticed that all of the men have locadmin accounts, whereas the women (yes, we actually have some) are stuck waiting for "internal support" to install updates to necessary programs (case management software) or install new programs.
Then again, I've also heard many bad things about being a female in my company (and was even told that the only reason that I have my job/pay is because I'm a man! So much for actually being competent; I'll just throw my gender out there and get a raise!)
Not only that, but Joe Sixpack doesn't realize that all those firey batteries were produced by Sony. Most of them simply assumed that it was the computer manufacturer (Dell, Apple, Toshiba, etc).
I work at a university, and we recently came up with a "KnowIT Program.". This program teaches digital literacy (defined as: "helping students learn how to use multiple computer tools effectively), and has a specific set of goals:
It's been surprisingly difficult to get students to attend anything that we offer; our hands-on sessions (Quick Classes), computer-based training (through Skillsoft CBT), and live orientation sessions, are all pretty much empty.
Students simply just don't care about digital literacy. They think that they know everything that they need to know about computers, and/or just don't care about learning more.
The system has to be VIIV compatible, and (sadly) Apple's machines are not part of that branding strategy.
The main missing component? Windows Media Center Edition. It's one of the integral components of the VIIV brand.
(another thing that is missing is the Matrix Storage Technology from Intel.... but nobody really cares about that)
Conveniently, this was at the bottom of the/. page:
The problem that we thought was a problem was, indeed, a problem, but not the problem we thought was the problem. -- Mike Smith
I work at a university, and we recently came up with a "KnowIT" program. This program teaches digital literacy (defined as "helping students learn how to use multiple computer tools effectively), and has a specific set of goals:
GOAL 1: Students will be able to recognize, articulate, and characterize what they need to know as they approach a problem, project, writing assignment or other research task.
GOAL 2: Students will be able to access needed information effectively and efficiently independent of form or format.
GOAL 3: Students will be able to evaluate information and information sources critically.
GOAL 4: Students will be able to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose as well as to retain selected information as part of their accumulated knowledge.
GOAL 5: Students will be able to manage and organize information effectively and efficiently using information technologies.
GOAL 6: Students will be able to produce and create structured electronic documents that successfully express their ideas for a specific audience and situation.
GOAL 7: Students will be able to manipulate and use qualitative and quantitative data and aural and visual information using information technologies.
GOAL 8: Students will be able to collaborate appropriately and effectively using information technologies.
GOAL 9: Students will be able to successfully communicate produced content using information technologies.
GOAL 10: Students will be able to participate as informed members of the academy who understand major legal, economic, social, ethical, privacy, and security issues related to information technologies.
Slashdot Mirror
Skype 2.0 has video love for linux: (this is way back in November 2007, but I couldn't find something more recent with my quick search)
Actually, a PC with the Windows AIM client works very well with a Mac running iChat. I do it with my friends in Ohio all the time. So you could get your grandparents a cheap MacBook (or Mini), and you (assuming you're running a Windows box) only have to pitch in for a AIM-compatible webcam. Or if you wanted to go the Linux route, you could use Skype on your Platform Of Choice(tm).
In my company, I've noticed that all of the men have locadmin accounts, whereas the women (yes, we actually have some) are stuck waiting for "internal support" to install updates to necessary programs (case management software) or install new programs. Then again, I've also heard many bad things about being a female in my company (and was even told that the only reason that I have my job/pay is because I'm a man! So much for actually being competent; I'll just throw my gender out there and get a raise!)
Not only that, but Joe Sixpack doesn't realize that all those firey batteries were produced by Sony. Most of them simply assumed that it was the computer manufacturer (Dell, Apple, Toshiba, etc).
I work at a university, and we recently came up with a "KnowIT Program.". This program teaches digital literacy (defined as: "helping students learn how to use multiple computer tools effectively), and has a specific set of goals: It's been surprisingly difficult to get students to attend anything that we offer; our hands-on sessions (Quick Classes), computer-based training (through Skillsoft CBT), and live orientation sessions, are all pretty much empty. Students simply just don't care about digital literacy. They think that they know everything that they need to know about computers, and/or just don't care about learning more.
This product pretty much has to be real. Wired Magazine predicted it in it's "Found: Artifacts From the Future." http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/images/fo und.jpg
The system has to be VIIV compatible, and (sadly) Apple's machines are not part of that branding strategy. The main missing component? Windows Media Center Edition. It's one of the integral components of the VIIV brand. (another thing that is missing is the Matrix Storage Technology from Intel.... but nobody really cares about that)
The problem that we thought was a problem was, indeed, a problem, but not the problem we thought was the problem. -- Mike Smith
I work at a university, and we recently came up with a "KnowIT" program. This program teaches digital literacy (defined as "helping students learn how to use multiple computer tools effectively), and has a specific set of goals:
GOAL 1: Students will be able to recognize, articulate, and characterize what they need to know as they approach a problem, project, writing assignment or other research task.
GOAL 2: Students will be able to access needed information effectively and efficiently independent of form or format.
GOAL 3: Students will be able to evaluate information and information sources critically.
GOAL 4: Students will be able to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose as well as to retain selected information as part of their accumulated knowledge.
GOAL 5: Students will be able to manage and organize information effectively and efficiently using information technologies.
GOAL 6: Students will be able to produce and create structured electronic documents that successfully express their ideas for a specific audience and situation.
GOAL 7: Students will be able to manipulate and use qualitative and quantitative data and aural and visual information using information technologies.
GOAL 8: Students will be able to collaborate appropriately and effectively using information technologies.
GOAL 9: Students will be able to successfully communicate produced content using information technologies.
GOAL 10: Students will be able to participate as informed members of the academy who understand major legal, economic, social, ethical, privacy, and security issues related to information technologies.
More info: http://www.colorado.edu/knowit
While this is specifically geared towards university-level students, it is just as easily applicable to any computer-using group.
What happens when you honestly *believe* that you are telling the truth, but it turns out to not be true?