Valerie Singleton wants more Facebook friends, promotes Linux for the elderly
By Vladislav Savov 
posted Nov 11th 2009 6:41AM
posted Nov 11th 2009 6:41AM
We're not really sure whether to consider this patronizing or genuinely useful. Former Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton, who is herself at an advanced age now, has partnered with Wessex Computers to create a custom Linux desktop targeted at easing the elderly into the use of a computer. Dubbed SimplicITy (the Brits do love their puns), it features only six chunky buttons that lead to a web or file browser, chat, email and profile apps, and awesomely enough, video tutorials from Valerie herself. Once you get your web-legs under you and feel confident enough to handle more complexity, you can disable the SimplicITy desktop and use a more conventional Linux distro. Hit the read link for a video of one lady's reaction to the software.
As someone who spends some of his professional time developing medical products, mainly for elderly people, I am surprised by the simplicity of this system. I have been constantly surprised by the proficiency of more mature users; and while a medical interface can't be directly compared with this system, I think here it might err towards patronising.
Who knows though, I'd like to try it with one of my focus groups.
As someone who does tech support for a lot of elderly relatives I say this system looks just about right for them. They could also save a step by making that help button dial out to my cell phone cause that's what happens immediately anyways.
I still get calls about how to open web pages and having to explain that bar with http:// is the one they want.
To be honest, forget about the elderly, this would be perfect for the users at my workplace! (Although they would still need extensive training before being let loose on it and it would probably need the "Chat", "My Profile" and "Video Tutorial" buttons removed to help prevent any unnecessary complexity)
hahaha - Blue Peter.
I think you have to define elderly. To a 20 year old, 40 is elderly. To a 40 year old, 80 is elderly.
It's not just the elderly. When I was a kid I was always having to help my mum use the computer and (at least then) she was certainly not in the 'elderly' category. It took her several years before she really understood scroll bars. She is pretty competent on computer now but it took a long time.
As an interface this looks fine to me (I just looked at the screenshot) although my concern would be whether they can make the applications as easy as the start screen.
wrong. I'm 21 and elderly has meant >70 since I could walk. I never confused my mother and grandmother.
I don't see why it is or can be considered patronising. To me it follows similar design philosophy to smart phone UIs or most of the netbook oriented OSs. That is, easy access to the most common tasks. Considering the decline of visual acuity that comes with age, a 17" screen can be the equivalent of a 10" for normal vision.
Sounds like a pretty decent idea and one that I wholeheartedly support, assuming that it achieves its goals. I wonder how much the actual computer will cost.
According to the BBC, "£299 without screen or keyboard to £525 for a complete system", which I think must make the UI software about £100. Excessively expensive if they're trying to take sales from standard systems.
They custom developed the UI and the price includes a degree of Phone support. Sounds a reasonable charge over just the cost of the hardware.
Only suggestion with that is to make transfer from one screen to another in a more animated and visual manner. Clicking and having something instantly change to a new layout (like this one) means the user needs to get their bearings and learn a new layout. Giving a transition animation that isn't stupidly flashy can show where the old screen went (which would be around about where you would place that 'back' button) as well as a consistent interface would aid in usability.
I like the idea. The only thing patronising I would see is the title "square one", which has the ability of being slightly condensing (beginner). Yes, they are beginners, "noobs", elderly or what have you, but I don't see how "main menu", "home" or other names couldn't have been chosen since they remove that implication (as little as it is)
Gee, what a novel approach. I use to sell computers in the early 90’s and when the elderly folks would come in seek out a machine, I would assess their needs and 9~10, I would steer them towards the Mac. The more that things change; the more they remain the same.
Regards,
Dan
Sorry but who is still using Facebook in this day and age?
I guess she's old so she has an excuse
OK so Facebook is passé but if you are one of these elderly pipples you are passé too.
I love the simplicity of such system...... no! :-P
Sorry but it is not quite focused for old people.
a) BIG FONTS, for the heaven sake.
b) Clear concept, for most people EMAIL = MAIL, BROWSER = INTERNET (or see webpages) and so on.
c) funny and cheerful, old people loves color pastels.
d) Voices!.. some people fell a bit confuse to working in a machine that show only text.
oh! it's a ripoff!!! the original is this one: http://www.eldy.eu check it out, it's free and works on many OS's
Yes, because nothing screams "Easy to use, especially by the elderly" like Linux.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of Ubuntu. But I have folks in their twenties who can't get a handle on OpenOffice. *sigh*
You miss one key point though. Those people in their 20s that don't get OpenOffice are having problems because of their relative familiarity to MS Office. The target of this type of product has no preconceived notions with any OS or software. Besides, UI has a lot more to do with ease of use than background processes.
I still maintain that if you take someone who has never used a computer before, give them two: one with Ubuntu and one with Windows, they will find relative ease in Ubuntu. Familiarity is not a synonym for ease of use, but rather a substitute.
@ocentertainment Very true. However, I used to do part time work tutoring the elderly how to use their computers. They take a lot of paper notes and go step by step. If you could make everything more visual, and reduce the number of steps to do things (while keeping the choices limited) you can develop an environment that older folks can explore and use.
How I wish my grandparents could use Skype. Last I checked, my grandfather was using WebTV
Who needs Linux? Just create a simple HTML page and make that the desktop - or just place only the icons the user needs on the desktop and disable everything else.
Instead of spending a fortune on an underpowered computer, you could just install Eldy (Linux or Windows, Mac coming soon), which is what this is running on... lol
http://www.eldy.eu/
If you're in the target market for this software, 'just' and 'install' are not two words that belong even remotely near each other.
Agreed that if you are setting it up for somebody else there is no particular need to buy a computer with it preinstalled, though.
This SimplicITy is powered by Eldy.
Try a little research people!
not to be a douche.. but SimplicITy is not a pun