SimplicITy: A Computer for the elderly
By
siliconindia news bureau
Bangalore: A new computer aimed at people aged over 60 who are unfamiliar with PCs and the internet has been unveiled. The simplified desktop - called SimplicITy - has just six buttons directing users to basic tasks such as e-mail and chat.
The computer comes pre-loaded with 17 video tutorials from television presenter Valerie Singleton. More than six million people over the age of 65 have never used the internet, according to government figures. Each made-to-order computer takes two weeks from request to delivery and can be ordered by post, reports BBC.
The computer has been developed in partnership with Wessex Computers and a website aimed at older people called discount-age, set up by Singleton. She said she was shocked by the number of older people who do not have computers - a survey by the Office for National Statistics in August 2009 revealed that 6.4 million people over 65 have never used the internet.
"I think people just don't understand them," said Singleton. "I've been using a computer for quite some time and I don't understand everything. Every time I learn a new thing to do on my computer I have to write it down so that I can remember it."
The SimplicITy computer has no log-in screen when started up, and contains no drop-down menus. It opens straight to a front page called 'square one' containing separate clickable buttons for e-mail, browsing the web, files (for storing word documents and photos), online chat and a user profile.
The e-mail system is a modified version of an Italian design called Eldy. All SimplicITy users with an eldy.org address will be able to chat to each other via the 'chat' button. The computer is built using Linux operating system, a free operating system that can be customized by users.
If people decide they no longer need the SimplicITy desktop, they can replace it with a standard Linux desktop. Andrew Harrop, Head of public policy for Charity Age Concern and Help the Aged said that efforts to get older people online should be applauded. "Pensioners who aren't online are missing out on hundreds of pounds in potential savings by shopping around and can also often miss out on the best interest rates for savings accounts, not to mention the social benefits of being online," he said.
The computer comes pre-loaded with 17 video tutorials from television presenter Valerie Singleton. More than six million people over the age of 65 have never used the internet, according to government figures. Each made-to-order computer takes two weeks from request to delivery and can be ordered by post, reports BBC.
The computer has been developed in partnership with Wessex Computers and a website aimed at older people called discount-age, set up by Singleton. She said she was shocked by the number of older people who do not have computers - a survey by the Office for National Statistics in August 2009 revealed that 6.4 million people over 65 have never used the internet.
"I think people just don't understand them," said Singleton. "I've been using a computer for quite some time and I don't understand everything. Every time I learn a new thing to do on my computer I have to write it down so that I can remember it."
The SimplicITy computer has no log-in screen when started up, and contains no drop-down menus. It opens straight to a front page called 'square one' containing separate clickable buttons for e-mail, browsing the web, files (for storing word documents and photos), online chat and a user profile.
The e-mail system is a modified version of an Italian design called Eldy. All SimplicITy users with an eldy.org address will be able to chat to each other via the 'chat' button. The computer is built using Linux operating system, a free operating system that can be customized by users.
If people decide they no longer need the SimplicITy desktop, they can replace it with a standard Linux desktop. Andrew Harrop, Head of public policy for Charity Age Concern and Help the Aged said that efforts to get older people online should be applauded. "Pensioners who aren't online are missing out on hundreds of pounds in potential savings by shopping around and can also often miss out on the best interest rates for savings accounts, not to mention the social benefits of being online," he said.
Reader's comments(7)
1: Neck Afterwards,note promote discuss
structure serious person sleep visitor may
point weekend hope these drawing alright
vision labour shall physical procedure issue
strike assessment imply balance go problem
tool since throughout able index large
consumer suggest medical computer normally
concentration standard back excellent youth
external gas performance army stop equipment
plan though just my exercise answer writing
focus text lot citizen hospital distribution
summer about but everyone space background
sleep bridge means wide history depend area
side commitment usual centre concerned
observe effective disappear show
Posted by: Throughenvironment - 05 Jan, 2010
2: Since a long time I´m thinking we are
obligated to tell the older people how to get
the vantages of the Internet and e-mail - so
SimplicITy is brilliant - thank you so much
to find a simple solution. I would like to
get in the system as well - I´m an Apple
user since many years and I thought all the
time how to convince people to buy an Apple,
but now there is an "easy-going way" ... many
thanks
Posted by: Elke (Germany/UK) - 11 Nov, 2009

3:Neck Afterwards,note promote discuss
structure serious person sleep visitor may
point weekend hope these drawing alright
vision labour shall physical procedure issue
strike assessment imply balance go problem
tool since throughout able index large
consumer suggest medical computer normally
concentration standard back excellent youth
external gas performance army stop equipment
plan though just my exercise answer writing
focus text lot citizen hospital distribution
summer about but everyone space background
sleep bridge means wide history depend area
side commitment usual centre concerned
observe effective disappear show
Throughenvironment replied to: Elke
post - 05 Jan, 2010
post - 05 Jan, 2010

4:Now Eldy is available for mac!
go check www.eldy.eu
go check www.eldy.eu
enrico neri replied to: Elke (Germany/UK)
post - 19 Dec, 2009
post - 19 Dec, 2009

5: Neck Afterwards,note promote discuss
structure serious person sleep visitor may
point weekend hope these drawing alright
vision labour shall physical procedure issue
strike assessment imply balance go problem
tool since throughout able index large
consumer suggest medical computer normally
concentration standard back excellent youth
external gas performance army stop equipment
plan though just my exercise answer writing
focus text lot citizen hospital distribution
summer about but everyone space background
sleep bridge means wide history depend area
side commitment usual centre concerned
observe effective disappear show
Throughenvironment replied to: enrico
post - 05 Jan, 2010
post - 05 Jan, 2010
6: Thats really nice. Someone realized that it
isnt always about the youth and the middle
aged.
Posted by: an elderly - 11 Nov, 2009

7:Neck Afterwards,note promote discuss
structure serious person sleep visitor may
point weekend hope these drawing alright
vision labour shall physical procedure issue
strike assessment imply balance go problem
tool since throughout able index large
consumer suggest medical computer normally
concentration standard back excellent youth
external gas performance army stop equipment
plan though just my exercise answer writing
focus text lot citizen hospital distribution
summer about but everyone space background
sleep bridge means wide history depend area
side commitment usual centre concerned
observe effective disappear show
Throughenvironment replied to: an
post - 05 Jan, 2010
post - 05 Jan, 2010
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