The most basic "email machine" for someone who has never used a computer

[DougK62]

So recently my grandmother has moved into an assisted living home because she has some mental and physical issues that my 86-year-old grandfather can no longer handle on his own. He visits her every day, but it still leaves him with a lot of time that he is at his house by himself and lonely. I've talked to him about the internet and email and he is intrigued. He has always been very good with televisions, cameras, and technology in general but he has never used a computer. Even something as basic as using a mouse will be quite foreign to him.

So my question for ATOT: What is going to be the easiest way to get him using email? Is there any sort of stand-alone email device on the market that's very simple to use? Should I just go with a stripped down Linux distro and try to make it as user-friendly as possible?

Thanks for any suggestions. I think it would be a big help to him if he had a new gadget to play with and the family can send him pictures and communicate more frequently.

 

[Modelworks]

I would take a look at eldy.
http://www.eldy.eu/

 

[SN4p]

I would take a look at eldy.
http://www.eldy.eu/

That looks like it could be really good.

 

[MegaVovaN]

That looks like it could be really good.

IMO this looks good
/threadjack

 

[sdifox]

or a netbook?

 

[MegaVovaN]

or a netbook?

I think netbook is not a good idea. Tiny screen. Trackpad is hard to use. Best a desktop with large, standard keyboard, simple mouse. 22"+ screen.

 

[sdifox]

I think netbook is not a good idea. Tiny screen. Trackpad is hard to use. Best a desktop with large, standard keyboard, simple mouse. 22"+ screen.

Or a netbook hooked up with keyboard mouse and big screen?

 

[thepd7]

Or a netbook hooked up with keyboard mouse and big screen?

Wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose of a netbook?

 

[DougK62]

Thanks for the Eldy suggestion - that looks promising!

A netbook isn't going to do it - too small of a screen, but thanks. I'm not looking for hardware as much as I am software.

 

[RebateMonger]

A low-end notebook with an external mouse and keyboard would work well and allow portability.

As far as mail software, it may depend on what her FRIENDS are mostly using. Not much need to email if you have no friends. Maybe they'd all be better off with Facebook or Yahoo or such.

 

[mmntech]

Mac Mini wouldn't be a bad idea.

OS X is pretty easy to use and hard to screw up. Comes with everything he'll need and has good accessibility options.
I would stay far away from Linux.

What's your budget?

 

[JackMDS]

Most assistant living places have a public computer in the recreation area. (or similar public space).

Check it if they have one, get her a Gamil account and let her try.

Using a public computer at begining has a big advantage because other people are around and can help rather of sitting alone in the private room and get frustrated when something were forgotten.

If she does well on the public computer, and wants a private one, then go ahead with RebateMonger suggestion.

 

[WraithETC]

Half you guys can't read the computer is for his grandfather

 

[Modelworks]

I hadn't used eldy myself so I downloaded it and tried it out.
It is basically an interface that you just run from the start menu or configure to auto start.

Very simple and easy to read. I think even my dad could use it and he has never touched a pc in his 80 years.

If you try it out, be sure to click help and check out the exercises . It even has how to use the mouse and mouse buttons tutorials for people who have never used a pc.

 

[somethingsketchy]

A low-end notebook with an external mouse and keyboard would work well and allow portability.

Agreed, not to mentioned the low-end notebook/netbook will be energy efficient as hell. Since he's going to be writing emails, I'd highly doubt the grandfather will stress the system resources to the max.

The bigger monitor (when attached to a netbook) can be set to the low resolution so there's little eye-strain, if any. I used to do something similar to this at a former place of employment. Deploying a low-end laptop with a big monitor and accessories for office tasks.

 

[OptimumSlinky]

+1 for Apple. If you have a monitor sitting around, MacMini. Otherwise, iMac FTW.

 

[A5]

+1 for Apple. If you have a monitor sitting around, MacMini. Otherwise, iMac FTW.

I don't think he's gonna drop a $1k+ for an iMac for his grandfather. He also said that he either already has or can easily get the hardware - just looking for some software.

 

[lxskllr]

Eldy looks awfully limited. It might not be a bad choice, but he could do more with a fully featured O/S. Ubuntu with the netbook remix interface is pretty straight forward, and he could do other things if he really got into the computer. If nothing else he'd be able to play solitaire and mahjong. It might help him pass some time when he's bored.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'd say get a basic emachines or something similar. Unfortunately a netbook is limited. You never know if someone might want more than simple email and web at some point. My grandmother and grandfather do photo editing and scanning of old photos on their computer.

 

[Fox5]

I think that eldy looks perfect. Don't underestimate how bad old people can be at using technology. My grandma has a hell of a time using the TV remote, and she can only use rotary microwaves.

 

[kondspi]

As for the HW, something like this might work...

http://50x15.amd.com/
http://➡.ws/ﵚ

 

[Modelworks]

Someone also recommended pointerware to me if you want a more feature filled program. It does cost a subscription fee of $8 a month, but for what they provide I think it could be worth it.

It is used by nursing homes, hospitals, etc.
http://pointerware.com/c/pages/home

I'm downloading the free trial now to take a look.


edit:
After using the pointerware software, eldy wins hands down.
Eldy is way better than the paid pointerware option.

Also did some looking at the code in eldy and it is all java based, so if you can script you could extend it and add other applications.

 

[Fox5]

As for the HW, something like this might work...

http://50x15.amd.com/
http://➡.ws/ﵚ

Oh god, that hardware is so out of date, you're looking at Pentium Pro performance. I guess if you wanna order on ebay from goodwill you can get a good price, but you're essentially looking at something about as functional for the Internet as a sega dreamcast.