Computing for Old People.

[murderslastcrow]

http://www.presto.com/

The fact that this company exists in the first place gets me on the floor. I laughed so hard I kinda' cried.

The main reason for this is that my Grandparents are all very technologically oriented, and my Grandmother loves Ubuntu (she doesn't have to be afraid of her computer anymore).

Do any of you guys know people who might need this?

*still laughing*

"Because you can't always be there in person."

LOL! *rolling*

P.S. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I just can't see that 'hundreds of thousands of people' use this, considering the cost of the printer ink and paper would eventually have bought them a netbook or something.

[toupeiro]

I just don't find it that amusing really. It is what it is. :)

[SofaSmarties]

it says no internet required... HOW DOES IT WORK???
magic?

[lloyd_b]

it says no internet required... HOW DOES IT WORK???
magic?

It's a little light on details, but it sounds like the "Printing Mailbox" dials out to their service, and retrieves messages that way. So they are correct - you don't need an ISP (since they're providing that part of the package).

Lloyd B.

[murderslastcrow]

You know, I guess that means you'd save on internet service. :3 I wonder what life would be like without a computer. :D Oh wait, I haven't even used computers for 10 years OF my life yet!

I should go on a vacation. XD

[SofaSmarties]

ive been playing with computers since i was 5/6 years old.
windows 98 sucks :)

[gletob]

If I was old and my kids sent me a bunch of "Reminders" and "To-do list's" I'd go crazy.

Come on people, my gradma text's with the keyboard on her Env 3

[DeadSuperHero]

So what happens when Nigerian scams and porn spam gets printed out?

[schauerlich]

So what happens when Nigerian scams and porn spam gets printed out?

You can give it a list of approved email addresses whose messages it will print.

[Warpnow]

This is actually a very good service for people unable or unwilling to learn how to use a computer. I don't see what you find funny about it, its a brilliant idea. It enables the masses to use the part of the internet that they might want, without having to complicate it beyond necessity.

I know alot of older people who would -love- this. These people have neither a computer nor an internet connection, and truthfully have no need for one. But they might still want to be able to recieve messages faster than by mail, and in a format more common than fax.

I really, honestly, don't see even one shred of anything humorous in this device.

[sideaway]

Meh, setup oldies PC, enable remote connection, send files via FTP, remotely print. Done deal. Save $50 a month or however much it costs.

There's gotta be a cheaper alternative... Or rather, whats wrong with post?

[speedwell68]

Looking at the costs it would probably be cheaper in the long run to have a computer and traditional email. My uncle,aged 74, was out of his depth in Windows, Ubuntu is now his live, nothing is too complicated for him. This very morning I taught him to install a program in the command line and how to extract audio CDs for an MP3 player. I think the way it is pitched at the elderly slightly patronising.

[murderslastcrow]

That's why I find it amusing. :3 Because my Grandma would find it preposterous.

I mean, if nothing else, go to the library on the weekends or something.

[Swagman]

Why do people assume Oldies are thicko's ?

How do people think we got the technologies we have today ? And there are STILL Oldies developing tomorrows tech right now.

What are we going to do when they finally retire completely ?

Here's a thought.

They were lucky if they had a slide rule let alone a calculator. They did the compute with the use of their brains and a pen & paper...

The Result...

Todays technology.

They're smarter than YOU think.

[Warpnow]

Why do people assume Oldies are thicko's ?

How do people think we got the technologies we have today ? And there are STILL Oldies developing tomorrows tech right now.

What are we going to do when they finally retire completely ?

Here's a thought.

They were lucky if they had a slide rule let alone a calculator. They did the compute with the use of their brains and a pen & paper...

The Result...

Todays technology.

They're smarter than YOU think.

That doesn't change the fact that some of them don't want to learn how to use a computer. I know several people who do not know how to turn on a computer, and wouldn't know what to do if they got one on.

[Dr. C]

Looking at the costs it would probably be cheaper in the long run to have a computer and traditional email. My uncle,aged 74, was out of his depth in Windows, Ubuntu is now his live, nothing is too complicated for him. This very morning I taught him to install a program in the command line and how to extract audio CDs for an MP3 player. I think the way it is pitched at the elderly slightly patronising.

More like highly patronizing.

[Yes]

Why not just send them a letter?

[toupeiro]

ive been playing with computers since i was 5/6 years old.
windows 98 sucks :)

... Wow, that put my age into perspective...

[Warpnow]

More like highly patronizing.

Only if its false.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

Reminds me of a FAX machine. There were Internet services that would convert email into a FAX and deliver it to a FAX machine. Do those service still exist?

If more older people like me knew about Linux, I think more of them would use computers. May of us old folks have used computers at some time in our lives. They were mainframes maintained by computer operators. The problem comes down to fixing the Home Computers when they break. Then the older person gets patronized by the young person that helps fix it. My wife hated using her netbook until I wiped Windows XP off of it and installed Ubuntu. She said she wasn't using it it because it was slow, always asking her to update something but it couldn't update, etc., etc. For her it just wouldn't work. That is until she got Ubuntu. Now she uses it ever day.

Oh, and it isn't just people over 60. I'm still young enough to work. The screensaver on my computer at work is a slideshow of my home computer's desktop running various distros, compiz-fusion cube, Window 7 RC in Virtualbox, etc. People 20 to 30 years younger that me ask what it is. :)

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

That doesn't change the fact that some of them don't want to learn how to use a computer.

Why should they learn to use a computer if they don't see a reason to use one?


I know several people who do not know how to turn on a computer, and wouldn't know what to do if they got one on.

Yes, and I know a few young people that think they are computer geeks just because they know how to run some games. :)

[Warpnow]

Why should they learn to use a computer if they don't see a reason to use one?

They wouldn't, which is why they would buy this device. In modern society, people need email. IF you have a child at school, many schools now email progress reports, and notices. Companies use email for billing, or maybe someone just wants something that is delivered in less than three days.

This device allows them to use email without needing to use a computer. I think it could be useful for certain people.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

As an older person. I'm just having fun with this thread. So, don't think I am taking the comments offensively. :lolflag:


Why do people assume Oldies are thicko's ?

Maybe, because it is the older generation that always wants to teach the younger generations how to avoid making the same mistakes they made. The younger generations never have appreciated that.


How do people think we got the technologies we have today ?

What, like going to the Moon or something. Heck, we can't seem to be able to do that today. :)


And there are STILL Oldies developing tomorrows tech right now.

True, but many of us have tiles like my "boss", "supervisor", "manager", "director", or "the idiot or stupid [one of the proceeding titles]". :)


What are we going to do when they finally retire completely ?

Become one of them? :)


Here's a thought.

They were lucky if they had a slide rule let alone a calculator. They did the compute with the use of their brains and a pen & paper...

Well, the slide rule was invented about 1625. The modern form of the slide rule was invented in 1859. I doubt that anyone on this forum is old enough not to have been able to own one. My grandchild found my K&E slide rule and the instruction manual. He was amazed what a stick could do. :)

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

In modern society, people need email. IF you have a child at school, many schools now email progress reports, and notices. Companies use email for billing, or maybe someone just wants something that is delivered in less than three days.

This device allows them to use email without needing to use a computer. I think it could be useful for certain people.

I agree that it could be useful from some people.

However, it isn't just us old folks (maybe I misunderstood your previous posts). You live in Dallas, Texas. Do you not realize that there are people of all ages that can't afford the $19.95 per month DSL service available there. What makes you think they can afford this device? Therefore, companies and schools will need to continue providing the things you mentioned via other mechanisms until Internet is universally available to everyone.

Retired people live off of social security, their savings, and if lucky a pension. They have to examine what monthly expenses make sense based on their needs. I'm looking at retirement soon. I'm already looking at the cost of my cable TV, Internet, phone, etc. to determine what I can do without. I have already switch to Digital over-the-air TV, combined with Internet TV streams.

[CJ Master]

ive been playing with computers since i was 5/6 years old.
windows 98 sucks :)

Yo dawg, Windows 98 was, like, da bomb.

[handy]

In the end it is just email to hi-res' colour fax.

[ugm6hr]

In the end it is just email to hi-res' colour fax.

$12.50 per month? I can't see how anyone with that kind of money available would choose to spend it on this system rather than a dial-up (or even broadband) connection. In the UK, dial-up is available for local call cost (metered / per second) with no monthly fee. Broadband is available combined with free calls for under £10/month. I find it hard to believe that it costs more in the US.

As for the technologically illiterate, I can't see how this is any simpler than turning on a computer. Although, perhaps there is a market for an always on all-in-one screen / keyboard / modem / basic OS / email (this is essentially what netbooks were designed for & could be modified to do this).

The only potential users I can see would be people physically unable to use a keyboard or mouse. Nevertheless, even for these users, I wonder how useful email is when you can only receive and not send it... While the service offers to Send from any email program, email-capable cell phone or PDA, I thought this was aimed at people without such facilities!

[Warpnow]

$12.50 per month? I can't see how anyone with that kind of money available would choose to spend it on this system rather than a dial-up (or even broadband) connection. In the UK, dial-up is available for local call cost (metered / per second) with no monthly fee. Broadband is available combined with free calls for under £10/month. I find it hard to believe that it costs more in the US.

As for the technologically illiterate, I can't see how this is any simpler than turning on a computer. Although, perhaps there is a market for an always on all-in-one screen / keyboard / modem / basic OS / email (this is essentially what netbooks were designed for & could be modified to do this).

The only potential users I can see would be people physically unable to use a keyboard or mouse. Nevertheless, even for these users, I wonder how useful email is when you can only receive and not send it... While the service offers to Send from any email program, email-capable cell phone or PDA, I thought this was aimed at people without such facilities!


Maybe its just where I live but I know a fair amount of people that would have difficulty locating the power button on their computer. They've never heard of a start bar, and it would take them 45 minutes to type a 20 word email.

Not all people adapt to technology. Some people just don't like computers. Thus, they never learned to use them.

[PrestoCEO]

http://www.presto.com/

I just can't see that 'hundreds of thousands of people' use this, considering the cost of the printer ink and paper would eventually have bought them a netbook or something.

It is surprising that so many people are in need of a solution like Presto. The Pew Internet and American Life Project reports that only 42% of Americans over 65 years old responded "yes" to "Do you use the Internet at least occasionally? And do you send or receive email at least occasionally?" (see: http://bit.ly/IgizU That leaves a whopping 58% of senior citizens who don't go online at all!

It's great that your grandmother uses a computer. But think what a drag it would be if she didn't. You wouldn't ever be able to send her an email. You'd never be able to send her a digital photo. My mother-in-law has a PC, and knows how to use it. But I asked her how often she turns it on. She told me about once a week. And she can't figure out how to print out an attached photo correctly at all. But every day, she gets something printed out from her Presto mailbox, usually with a photo, from one of her 6 kids or 13 grandkids. They go from Presto to refrigerator with no effort at all.

Presto costs about $12.50 a month. And usually it is paid for by people like your parents, not the grandparents, because it makes their job of caregiving or just bringing a smile to the grandparent's face, much easier. I don't mean to make this a commercial. But Presto is solving real problems for people, who in some cases were born before the telephone was a common fixture in every home.

Thanks for listening.

Peter Radsliff
PrestoCEO
http://blog.presto.com

[handy]

I'm quite sure that there exist a lot of people, especially elderly people, that aren't in the slightest bit interested in computers. They see them as something that is hard to learn, that will bring them little to no benefit. There would most certainly be people that due to having family working in different parts of the world (for instance) that would be very grateful of a system like this, where they could receive lots of printed out communication, with photos.

Horses for courses, I think.

Something that the technically inclined person (especially young ones) don't appreciate, is that there are a variety of other (equally valid) ways for people's minds to naturally function.

[lukjad]

http://www.presto.com/

The fact that this company exists in the first place gets me on the floor. I laughed so hard I kinda' cried.

The main reason for this is that my Grandparents are all very technologically oriented, and my Grandmother loves Ubuntu (she doesn't have to be afraid of her computer anymore).

Do any of you guys know people who might need this?

*still laughing*

"Because you can't always be there in person."

LOL! *rolling*

P.S. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I just can't see that 'hundreds of thousands of people' use this, considering the cost of the printer ink and paper would eventually have bought them a netbook or something.
That's been around for quite a while now.