"Ubuntu Senior"

[nosscire]

I did a search on this subject, but couldn't find anything. Also, I'm not sure if this is the right part of the forum to post this in, so otherwise, mods please move it :)

I recently helped my grandmother install Ubuntu on her PC. I figured it's accually much easier to use then Windows for someone who don't know anything about computers. The problem I found was that she still had problems with some things. textsize and that kind of stuff in particular, but also with the menus and stuff.

Now, I though it would be a great idea to make a ubuntu "distro" that is specifically aimed at seniors, and maby also other people who barely know what a computer is.

Is there something like this in the making, or would it be worth starting up? From what i've understood it really isn't that hard to make a seperate install CD with some changed settings, and me and a few friends are thinking of trying it ourself.

Is there something like this already, and if not, do you think it could be useful? I'm not talking about a whole different distro like Kubuntu or anything, but just a install disc that is better suited for seniors in particular.

/Nosscire

[pbw]

There isn't anything like this that i know of at least. Do it up, it sounds like a good idea.

It's quite easy to customize an install cd, Even if no one else cares for it, if you'd like it and it fills a need, go nuts.

I'm sure other people'll make use of it however.

[frafu]

Hello,

I am moving this Thread from the Accessibility Forum to the "Other OS Talk" Forum.

Have a nice day.

Francesco

[Hendrixski]

Yeah, a big part of Ubuntu is the belief that everyone should be able to use a computer regardless of poor eyesight, or even no eyesight. There are a bunch of accessibility options that you may be able to set up for the g-unit that would make Ubuntu easier on the eyes. If not, check out what kinds of considerations for these things are currently on launchpad.net and your opinion can contribute to the future development of Ubuntu.

[smoker]

I recently helped my grandmother install Ubuntu on her PC. I figured it's accually much easier to use then Windows for someone who don't know anything about computers. The problem I found was that she still had problems with some things. textsize and that kind of stuff in particular, but also with the menus and stuff.

Now, I though it would be a great idea to make a ubuntu "distro" that is specifically aimed at seniors, and maby also other people who barely know what a computer is.

i've looked for something like this myself for the 'older' new pc user, i think it would be a great idea, please post back details if you get anything moving in this direction,

best of luck:D

[jrusso2]

Accessibility is actually an area where windows excels. A distro would need to create new programs such as screen readers and voice commands in order to be the equal of windows in this area.

Its a great idea if you can get the developers to make the needed programs.

[eddieb]

I looked at Puppy the other day, might be closer to what you require!

[DeadSuperHero]

Heh. A Ubuntu for old people? Ubuntu Dinosaur Edition?
Not trying to be rude or sarcastic, I think it's a pretty cool idea.

[justin whitaker]

Another cool idea. Make sure you check out Emacspeak:

http://emacspeak.sourceforge.net/

That might help with people with the worst eyesight.

I would also look at using ARCHY as a possible interface:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archy

Good luck!

[goumples]

Yea maybe a bare bones version of Ubuntu that is overly simplified for people that are completely new to computers. Call it starter edition or something, because a very simplified setup could benefit young-lings too.

[frafu]

Yea maybe a bare bones version of Ubuntu that is overly simplified for people that are completely new to computers. Call it starter edition or something, because a very simplified setup could benefit young-lings too.

I don't think that it would be suitable for children out of the box. (e. g.: adult content)

But, it could be the base for a kids-edition; or adding some meta-option in a control panel that would activate the safeguards for the children. On the other hand however, children usually don't have much problems with computers, so this safeguards might be introduced directly in Ubuntu...

Francesco

[mediax]

It's a good idea, but please find something other than "Senior" to describe it.

[begin rant]
We're well past the era when computers were "new" and there is no causal relationship between age and computer ignorance. Computers have been part of everyday life for something like a quarter of a century, so there are plenty of 60 year olds who are more computer savvy than many 16 year olds.
[/end rant]

"Ubuntu for Dummies" would be a great title! But it sounds somehow familiar . . . ;)

[mediax]

I don't think that it would be suitable for children out of the box. (e. g.: adult content)

Adult content? You've got me wondering what I'm missing in Ubuntu! ;)

[smoker]

I don't think that it would be suitable for children out of the box. (e. g.: adult content)

But, it could be the base for a kids-edition; or adding some meta-option in a control panel that would activate the safeguards for the children. On the other hand however, children usually don't have much problems with computers, so this safeguards might be introduced directly in Ubuntu...

not sure what you mean here, are you saying you will include adult content in the distro? or do you mean, because there is no restrictions, that children could access adult content through the internet? if you mean the latter, then the firefox browser can easily be restricted to help prevent this, info here:
http://www.wikihow.com/Restrict-Web-Browsing-Using-Firefox

[frafu]

@smoker

I meant that children can access adult content through Internet because there is no restriction.

Thanks for the link concerning Firefox.

I have not delved into this subject yet, but I assume that the browser (http) is not the only service on the Internet that needs restriction.

Have a nice day.

[octathlon]

We were recently discussing this subject here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=470212

We are thinking that a Theme that has large fonts, icons, cursors, wide scrollbars and appropriate colors for easy visibility and clickability would be very useful.

[octathlon]

Hello,

I am moving this Thread from the Accessibility Forum to the "Other OS Talk" Forum.

Have a nice day.

Francesco

Frafu,
Just curious, why did you think this topic was inappropriate for the Accessibility forum? I actually went there looking for topics related to issues seniors have (worsening eyesight, more tremors, arthritis, etc.), since I have set up a couple of computers for older relatives and was wondering what features Ubuntu has that would help. Maybe I have the wrong idea of what "accessibility" means in computer lingo. If so, could you clarify?

Thanks,
:)

[frafu]

Hello octathlon,

It seemed to me that the original author was primarily looking for an easy to use OS, as shown by the following quote:


...I recently helped my grandmother install Ubuntu on her PC. I figured it's accually much easier to use then Windows for someone who don't know anything about computers.

Now, I though it would be a great idea to make a ubuntu "distro" that is specifically aimed at seniors, and maby also other people who barely know what a computer is...


He also talked about textsize, but I understood it in the context of people with little visual impairements due to age, and where the problem can be resolved by picking a bigger font.

Later, the discussion brought in the Assistive Technology for visual impairements, however I don't think that it was what the original author was looking for. But I might also be wrong...

Francesco

[octathlon]

Thanks, Francesco. :)

I think I was so focused on what I was looking for that I missed that. I was only thinking of physical and not educational issues.

[frafu]

@octathlon

Don't worry about it :)

and have a nice day.

Francesco