No Overpriced Crapware for Grandma!

The other day over on my Xanga blog I commented briefly about Simplicity computers.  These are computers that come with a distro of Linux based off of Linux Mint, oriented towards older folks.  The idea is that older people tend to be afraid of computers (fear of "breaking something") but want to be able to send e-mail and look at websites.  At first I thought the idea sounded fine.  Then I saw Charlie Sorrel's article about it.  Apparently the people behind this are using low-quality hardware with a modified free OS and attaching a high price tag.  Simplicity is starting to sound to me like the "Jitterbug" of computers.

Here's a suggestion going out to all of you moderately tech savvy folks with a grandmother who wants to go online.  Drag that older computer out of storage that still boots up but has Windows 98 on it and install a copy of something like Linux Mint.  Put BIG icons on the desktop to just the things grandma might want.  Write her a simple explanation for how to do routine things like check e-mail and search with Google.  Disable anything that might throw her off.  Give it to her.  Patiently tutor her in the basics.  Lastly, assure her that since it came out of the basement and the software was free, she can break anything and you'll just reinstall the software.

Even if you go the new, proprietary route and buy her a desktop computer with Windows 7 you'll still come out saving her a lot of money compared to Simplicity, and can make the same sorts of modifications I described above.

Just don't waste your money or grandma's on overpriced crapware.  Please.

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See Also: 

Simplicity Computers

PCs for Old Folks: Do Seniors Need Stripped Down Tech? (Gadget Lab)

Linux for Older Folks (Igneous Quill Notes)