Senior Citizen Linux or ???

[River Valley Computer]

Well - since business had lessened the last couple of weeks we decided to start up our old project of setting up some of our 'vintage' computers in our store room for use by seniors. We were thinking the they might enjoy them in senior residence centers. Has anyone found a software package that would be minimal in hardware demands (2GB or less, 80 GB HDD, some 32 bit machines). Several years ago we looked in a program called ELDY but at $299 it's rather cost prohibitive. We were hoping there was a Linux distro that might have been set up for very BASIC use - a few simple games like solitaire, hearts, etc. Internet, E-Mail, simple word processor like WordPad, etc. Any thoughts would be appreciated - we're bored and thought some seniors might enjoy this. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jcake64]

linux mint lubuntu or q4os all good

 

[Diggs]

You may want to check out Xubuntu. You can get more info on it over at DistroWatch.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

I'd love to see a linux distro that is made for seniors, big buttons, big text, and bloody simple to use.

 

[Diggs]

The biggest reason I don't like to recommend a Linux distro to seniors is that they always try to get help from their kids/grand kids and if it isn't Windows or Mac then all they get is blank stares.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Yep, old people get Windoze because of precisely the above.

I love me some Linux, but the support base just isn't there.

 

[britechguy]

I love me some Linux, but the support base just isn't there.

I like Linux, but you and @Diggs have zeroed in on what is always a critical issue when it comes to residential and senior citizen users: Ease of getting support, and casual support at that.

If it ain't there, it ain't gonna fly!

 

[labtech]

Ease of getting support, and casual support at that. If it ain't there, it ain't gonna fly

But, no random "scary pop ups" telling to call India or wherever would be happening trying to steal their money if they were running Linux.
No support is actually a good thing. It all depends how it is presented to them. Fear is powerful.
All the seniors need to know is where the "Browser button" is and how to log into FaceBook. Yey, good life.

 

[Sky-Knight]

@labtech, I'm sorry but that's patently false. Those "scary popup ads" are just websites, and they appear on all platforms with a web browser.

Lack of support does nothing but ensure they are forced to come back to you, I run my business on the concept of freedom, that means leaving the old farts in the position of having the freedom to call someone else.

That being said, there are a few users I've run into over the years where I've wanted to remove all their choice... They made me wonder how someone can survive for near on a century on this rock and somehow still be so stupid.

 

[Porthos]

Lack of support does nothing but ensure they are forced to come back to you

And then want free support from you.

 

[britechguy]

No support is never a good thing. Period.

 

[britechguy]

@labtech, . . . there are a few users I've run into over the years where I've wanted to remove all their choice... They made me wonder how someone can survive for near on a century on this rock and somehow still be so stupid.

Some of them, contrary to your assertion, are very, very wise. They recognize that they are nearly technologically illiterate, don't wish to become so, and are often "button pushers extraordinaire" when frustrated. The less they are able to do, the better.

I've set up several clients under Windows 10 with a standard account only, where the admin account (not The Admin Account) is set up so that I have the password to it. The intention is saving them from themselves. It works. Know thyself . . .

 

[Sky-Knight]

@britechguy Everyone should be using a limited account, with a separate password enabled admin account anyway. That's just good practice, and if the client is OK calling you for admin level stuff all the time I see nothing wrong with your solution.

 

[britechguy]

@britechguy. . . if the client is OK calling you for admin level stuff . . .

The funny thing is, with "that type of client," calls tend to decrease when they aren't in a position to mess things up themselves. Their needs are very basic, and most of the messes they could get themselves into are now impossible.

 

[Larry Sabo]

One option worth considering it turning your old machines into Chromebooks.

Around here, Chromebooks are the standard platform for kids in elementary school. If the same there, the grankids could help granny and gramps when they run into problems.

 

[HFultzjr]

Lubuntu, 2gb ram, almost any processor, 120 GB SSD, and grandma/grandpa will be flying along.
Runs on just about anything I've thrown it on.
Web Browsing, E-mail, Youtube, Facebook and Libreoffice will cover 90% of their needs.

 

[NviGate Systems]

What about Bob?

Just kidding!