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Is there a Granny PC or Mac?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by sarahk, Dec 15, 2005.

0
  1. #1
    The mobile phone makers have woken up to reality. Does anyone know if the PC people have.

    I need a computer with the following specs (out of the box, no hacks)
    • email client
    • can view .doc, .ppt, .txt files
    • browser
    • picassa type tool - something really simple
    • printer connection
    • antivirus

    We don't even want access to the file system. we don't want to install new apps, or change millions of settings, or network (beyond the modem or broadband connection).

    Right now my Mum has a win98 thing that is threatening to die. I get growled at by my sisters for not giving her XP but I get phone calls with things like

    "you now that bar with the start button, it's up on the right hand side of the screen"
    "whats it doing there"
    "i don't know"
    "do you remember moving it?"
    "i didn't do anything, it did it itself"
    ... and so it goes on

    if she can cause havoc on win98 she'd get up to all sorts of mischeif on XP. However the old box hasn't appreciated it's new life and is ready to turn up it's toes so a replacement must be considered.

    Would a Mac be better? Harder for me to support her because I haven't used a mac since the '80s but Macs back then were pretty idiot proof...

    I'd appreciate any suggestions
     
    sarahk, Dec 15, 2005 IP
  2. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #2
    Yeah, go with tiger, maybe a mac mini (cheap and easy option), Its much easier to use after a little bit of practice, but if you havent used one in a while it might be annoying to supporting it though you can post questions here anyway.

    Or, just give her a restricted version of xp. Lockout admin features etc.
     
    Design Agent, Dec 15, 2005 IP
  3. Hodgedup

    Hodgedup Notable Member

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    #3
    My grandma has been rocking a Windows machine for several years now. I don't get too many questions from her any more. It was just a longer learning curve.
     
    Hodgedup, Dec 15, 2005 IP
  4. _vlada_

    _vlada_ Peon

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    #4
    First thing I would do is buy 10 pages manual for using PC. start>programs>,..

    If you dont know mac there could be only more trouble: instead of answering phone and visualize solution you will sit in a car and run to help. (hope never gonna happend)
     
    _vlada_, Dec 15, 2005 IP
  5. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #5
    Macs are pretty good for that. They are unix at the core, so you can have an admin account (you maybe) and then a normal user account who can't screw anything up except stuff they own. Also I think there is an option somewhere for a "Simple Finder" which pretty much strips the commands down to almost nothing. :)
     
    digitalpoint, Dec 15, 2005 IP