[Gslug-general] Linux (Ubuntu?) for Seniors Project?

[james michael]

I think a simple interface and a detailed training course where we are 
patient and understanding on all questions.

Also I know my own grandfather was turned off from computers a little 
because of the adult content that we all know of. A filter to block 
these things would be a good. maybe a way to keep that block filter 
updated as the internet grows on would be good too.

Also plan to have someone stop by once or twice a month to make sure 
there is no maintenance problems. I would be willing to help teach and 
answer questions, as well as guide installs if needed.

Ken Meyer wrote:
> Paul, that might or might not help.  My experience has been that the
> problems result more from total misapprehension of what is going on, often
> with an accompanying self-assured assumption that the misapprehension is
> correct.  That is, it hardly makes a difference how simple the interface is
> if you can't at all "think like a computer".
>
> I'm not saying that every person that will be helped will be so clueless,
> but only that some most assuredly will, and anyone embarking on such a
> volunteer program would be well-advised to be prepared with a "plan B".  It
> is very difficult to bail out on a person who doesn't get it despite your
> extended best efforts and to avoid implying in the process that they are as
> stupid as a rock.
>
> I knew an elderly woman who wanted to know how to play VCR tapes and to
> record a show in progress (not even to program time-shifting).  She had been
> the first female news correspondent in Europe during WW II, and she had been
> President of the press club in D.C.  She also wrote like 22 cook-books; it
> would seem that some quantitative logical capability would be required, yes?
> However, she NEVER really got it with the functions of, what, half a dozen
> buttons on the remote that could affect what she needed to do.  She
> seemingly could not comprehend the idea of sequential logic, i.e. explaining
> how to get to where you want to go depends on where you start from.  She was
> very testy about it and even took one VCR back to the store, claiming that
> it was broken, before I could intercept it.  This sort of thing ultimately
> pretty much wrecked what had been a nice friendship with an otherwise very
> intelligent and interesting person.  How many "buttons" are on the simplest
> of computer interfaces?
>
> Aside from that, recycled computers will break, so even competent operators
> may require assistance -- and if they lose data, it will be your fault.
>
> Giving the assistance is still a great idea.  Just be prepared to be patient
> and have a good plan to address adversity and perhaps to limit your
> commitment going in.
>
> Ken M.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: paul.bartell at gmail.com [mailto:paul.bartell at gmail.com]
> On Behalf Of Paul Bartell
> Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 4:12 PM
> To: kmeyer at blarg.net
> Cc: Gslug-general at gslug.org
>
> Subject: Re: [Gslug-general] Linux (Ubuntu?) for Seniors Project?
>
> I think that putting moblin or a similiar dumbed down interface on the
> computers would be better. Make it so simple, that they dont need at
> teacher and can learn on their own. Or better yet, make a curriculum,
> or use the ubuntu desktop training course (or a modified version
> without the unneeded things)
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 3:34 PM, Ken Meyer <kmeyer at blarg.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> I think that this is a great idea.  Hoping not to appear to be, or create
>> the effect of, a "wet blanket", I only wish to call your attention to the
>> fact that this is not a "install and forget" activity.  There was, in
>>     
> fact,
>   
>> a volunteer effort to install Linux at the Green Lake Senior Center, at
>> least on their server, and it required a lot of effort before I believe
>>     
> the
>   
>> whole thing was scrapped to install Windows when the Center got some grant
>> or other.
>>
>> Although it may be possible for those acquainted with Windows to
>>     
> transition
>   
>> without too much help, many of those who will be interested will not be
>> clueful at all, and I can assure you from personal experience that these
>> people often have little patience and expect the box to voluntarily do
>> back-flips for them, having perhaps been oversold about the magic of
>> computers or just being legitimately old-age cranky.  One will have all
>> sorts of exasperated calls about both legit crashes and misconceptions
>>     
> about
>   
>> how the computers operate.
>>
>> The library and many technology centers provide classes, but I doubt
>>     
> whether
>   
>> those people know much about Linux.
>>
>> There are also other organizations that already refurb computers for these
>> purposes, but I don't know what they do about providing an O/S that is
>> equally affordable as a refurbed machine.  I know that M$ at one time was
>> giving these organizations a hard time about re-installing Windows, even
>>     
> if
>   
>> the machine came from the original owner with a legit copy installed.
>> Perhaps they have relented on that subject.
>>
>> I would recommend that the group do some serious research into
>>     
> partnerships
>   
>> with the refurbers and try to learn about how similar programs elsewhere
>> have fared, successful or not or just getting advice.
>>
>> Again, I think that this is a most worthy endeavor, but please do not go
>> into it naively.  If people are left in the lurch with a Linux machine
>>     
> that
>   
>> frustrates them, even if they have totally unrealistic expectations, or do
>> not have two functioning brain cells to rub together, it will become a
>>     
> black
>   
>> mark for Linux.
>>
>> Ken M.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> From: gslug-general-bounces at gslug.org
>> [mailto:gslug-general-bounces at gslug.org]
>> On Behalf Of Michael_Faraday
>> Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 12:25 PM
>> To: Gslug-general at gslug.org
>>
>> Subject: [Gslug-general] Linux (Ubuntu?) for Seniors Project?
>> All,
>>
>> A staffer at the North Shore Senior Center in Bothell told me they get
>>     
> many
>   
>> donated desktop computers they cannot use in the center. Some are too old.
>> Some are too much trouble to configure like their existing
>> continuing-education computers.
>>
>> I'm wondering whether anyone wants to look into getting some going with a
>> non-geeky Linux for low-income seniors. Your thoughts?
>>
>> Steven
>>
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>>
>>     
>
>
>
> --
> Random quote of the week/month/whenever i get to updating it:
> "Opportunity knocked. My doorman threw him out." - Adrienne Gusoff
>
> "At school you don't get parole, good behavior only brings a longer
> sentence." - The History Boys
>
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>   

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