Some random discussions around the coffee table popped an idea into my head.
More and more old people use computers. They use it to keep in touch with their families and friends, they use them for surfing, for writing, for watching photos, for paying bills and so on. Now, not all old people are engineers, in fact many of them have trouble even using a modern phone. They see the computer as a tool, not a toy, so they are not inclined to spend a lot of money on it. This is a growing market segment that the major players on the market are missing.
So, I think, would it be a good idea to make a Linux dist for old people? I think so. What would be different?
* Take physical limitations into account. Large fonts, slower double clicks (if double clicks are to be used at all), less sensitive mouse, high visibility color schemes, less need for accurate mouse movements and so on.
* Made for people not used to computers. That means keeping it simple. I would suggest a desktop somewhat like the ones on the netbooks. Perhaps full screen GUI's to minimize window management.
* Include suitable software by default, with ease of use taking precedence over features.
* Safe. Make it hardened so that security threats are not a problem.
* Make it easy to set up. They will most likely be installed by people with little or no computer experience, so "Insert CD and follow instructions, no technical questions", or relatives with less than stellar motivation. This also means removing some possibilities, such as dual booting.
* Internationalization. Don't expect them to know English, so this is very important.
* Not to hardware-demanding. Any cheap crap computer should do it.
* Very easy to add users. If used at retirement homes, it should not require specialist support.
* Possible to lock down so that system settings can't be change, essentially turning it into a somewhat more open kiosk.
* Help. Ample help texts and guides. Also some introduction guides, in text or, even better, as video, for somple tasks such as "How do I use email?" or "How do I use the web?".
Basically, it's not that far from a somewhat differently configured education distro.
So, what do you say? Is it a good idea? I think it's an idea that might give people a more active old age, rather than slowly growing into vegetable waiting to die.
More and more old people use computers. They use it to keep in touch with their families and friends, they use them for surfing, for writing, for watching photos, for paying bills and so on. Now, not all old people are engineers, in fact many of them have trouble even using a modern phone. They see the computer as a tool, not a toy, so they are not inclined to spend a lot of money on it. This is a growing market segment that the major players on the market are missing.
So, I think, would it be a good idea to make a Linux dist for old people? I think so. What would be different?
* Take physical limitations into account. Large fonts, slower double clicks (if double clicks are to be used at all), less sensitive mouse, high visibility color schemes, less need for accurate mouse movements and so on.
* Made for people not used to computers. That means keeping it simple. I would suggest a desktop somewhat like the ones on the netbooks. Perhaps full screen GUI's to minimize window management.
* Include suitable software by default, with ease of use taking precedence over features.
* Safe. Make it hardened so that security threats are not a problem.
* Make it easy to set up. They will most likely be installed by people with little or no computer experience, so "Insert CD and follow instructions, no technical questions", or relatives with less than stellar motivation. This also means removing some possibilities, such as dual booting.
* Internationalization. Don't expect them to know English, so this is very important.
* Not to hardware-demanding. Any cheap crap computer should do it.
* Very easy to add users. If used at retirement homes, it should not require specialist support.
* Possible to lock down so that system settings can't be change, essentially turning it into a somewhat more open kiosk.
* Help. Ample help texts and guides. Also some introduction guides, in text or, even better, as video, for somple tasks such as "How do I use email?" or "How do I use the web?".
Basically, it's not that far from a somewhat differently configured education distro.
So, what do you say? Is it a good idea? I think it's an idea that might give people a more active old age, rather than slowly growing into vegetable waiting to die.
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