WELL....are YOU insulted ?

[Papaumau]

Why? I hear you ask.

Well yesterday it was claimed that a large proportion of the elderly people in Britain simply do not know anything about computers or about how to get onto the internet in order to look after banking, bills and other matters.

Obviously this is not the case as far as WE are concerned as we prove that we are quite literate around computers by the fact that we are here reading and writing to this and other forums.

The perceived "insult" might come because of the idea that we are too dumb to understand the basics of computing and about how to get online and be able to manipulate the internet to our favour.

An article in my "Business Insider" magazine today seemed to highlight this:

Business Insider:

"Ten million over fifties are missing out on big internet discounts on bills because they don't or can't use a computer".

TV star turned over 50s champion Valerie Singleton has come to the rescue with the SimplicITy computer.

On this platform there is no start-up screen or login required. Users simply switch on to an easy to read menu screen with six options. E-mail, Browse the Web, Chat, About me, Documents and video tutorials done in a very simple way by Valerie Singleton.

Now comes the rub.....This operating system costs from £289.99 to £529.99 !

WELL...are you insulted or do you think that this might be a good idea ?

[Papaumau]

WELL.....are you ?

[Hells Granny]

I do think that this is treating pensioners as mentally deficient.

[Papaumau]

Me too to a degree !

Mind you I am sure that there are a number of elderly folk out there that are simply terrified by the technology and if they are not introduced to computing and the internet very gently by people who have the time and the inclination to do the job often the whole thing must seem like an impossible mountain to climb.

[Wrinkles]

It is a fact that many AOP's are very unsure about computers and actively avoid them, and so are perceived as thick. However it is often the reverse. Some time ago I acquired a number of obsolete PC's which were surplus to requirements of a large company. I cleared the drives and set them up with an operating system and basic office suite then passed them on, for a nominal charge, to pensioners in my area. Many of whom had an interest in computing and going on line but were unsure and reluctant to spend 3, 4 or £500 on a computer. It worked well with the majority moving on to new machines and passing the old ones on to another deserving case.
I still have over 30 oldies who regularly contact me for support, repairs and advice along with a good few more who are now accomplished silver surfers.
As for the simplicITy computer, Just another cynical rip off designed to part the gullible from their money.

[Papaumau]

Well done Wrinkles; that is the kind of response that I love to see from us oldies.

There is no doubt that it is that first step that is the biggie for the pensioner group and even those that do have the resources to buy a cheap starter-pack will not do it for the fear of being left with it not knowing how to make it work.

There are beginners computer classes out there if the elderly want to find out the basics but even this is a big step for some.

I don't know why there are not more government-backed companies out there that could do exactly what you have done as if you think about it there must be thousands of computers that are slightly out of date that are going to be scrapped so that the modern businesses can keep up with the fast-changing technology in this area.

[Wrinkles]

The number of slightly used computers scrapped by big companies is a scandal. Some time ago I went to large office refurb job with a colleague. When we arrived we were confronted with  the sight of a man on the second floor throwing computers out of the window into a skip. I enquired of the company involved if I could purchase, at a nominal price, some of these machines to be told that their new machines were being bought at a discount providing ALL the previous ones were destroyed and serial numbers submitted. I have no reason to suppose that this practice is not widespread.
In this case over 200 computer base units were wantonly destroyed when they could have been recycled to disadvantaged groups (pensioners inc) or third world schools.

[Papaumau]

Of course I agree with you that this is a scandal where it happens.

Many companies just don't want the hassle of trying to recycle their old computers and to them the ubiquitous "skip" is their first choice.

This is not to say that there ARE not a number of private companies out there that DO recycle and re-use out-of-date computers.

Here are some of them:

http://www.wasteonline.org.uk/resources/InformationSheets/ComputerRecyclersRefurbishers.htm