SimplicITy is a Linux PC for the elderly
It’s a sad fact of life that as we get older our ability to learn new skills and retain information lessens. Which explains why a five-year-old child can pretty much rebuild a PC while their grandparents have trouble finding the on/off button. Believe it or not, Linux could be the answer to the elderly’s prayers thanks to a new PC called SimplicITy.
There’s a definite generation gap when it comes to technology. The older generations were brought up when mechanics ruled over electronics. Televisions are fine as they’ve been around a long time and haven’t changed much in 50 years. But mobile phones, mp3 players, and especially computers are a different story altogether.
Some older people pick things up quickly and easily, and will have no problem buying a computer and venturing online with it. But others may struggle with the technology and find themselves cut off from the Internet and all the goodness that comes with it as a result.
In order to help these people, Wessex Computers and the Discount-age Web site have teamed up to release the SimplicITy computer. The SimplicITy has been designed with elderly people with no experience of computing or the Web in mind. Therefore, everything is simplified, as the name suggests.
According to BBC News, SimplicITy computers come with a special version of the Linux operating system. When they are turned on they skip straight to a front page titled ‘Square One’. On here are just six options: Email, Web, Profile, Chat, Files, and Video Tutorials. The email program is based on an Italian design called Eldy and the video tutorials show ex-Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton explaining how to use the computer.
Once users have got to grips with the basics of computing and using the Web they can replace the SimplicITy OS with a standard Linux one such as Ubuntu. Although I fear that would be more frustrating for an elderly user than letting them loose on Windows to begin with.
Some people may find this objectionable and patronizing, but I personally don’t. No one’s forcing this on anyone but those of a certain age who aren’t confident enough to buy a PC or Mac and learn everything from scratch will be able to get the helping hand they desire. Which can only be a good thing.
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November 12th, 2009
This is great.
November 13th, 2009
Its shouldn’t be considered objectionable or patronising, though its common in the IT industry to consider technical knowledge as a superior skill.
This is simply a computing appliance, much like the computer in my TV, PVR or media player. No-one considers me “stupid” for using a set-top-box to watch movies, yet that’s a computer (running Linux) with a simplified user interface.
This shouldn’t be restricted to just the elderly. Alan Sugar – take note!
November 14th, 2009
Good idea.
November 14th, 2009
What is elderly? I propose that article is pure rhetoric. A precursor for the argument to have euthanasia for the elderly. I have met a lot of college students who could not acquire knowledge even if you put it on a platter for them. My step uncle is eighty years old and uses a variety of operating systems and is always trying new software.