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It's not their fault, entirely...
because the people who develop computer software and hardware DO NOT make accomodations for people who have ergonmic or sensory problems, or who do not have a steep learning curve, or who are on a fixed income.
Displays are too small and/or expensive; and the bigger displays have to viewed at a distance, which destroys any advantage they had for an eyesight problem in the first place.
Keyboards are too small and complicated. Color coding along with the tiny type would help.
REAL voice recognition word processing software would be of help.
SIMPLIFICATION.....the Microsoft/DOS system offers too much flexibility at the consumer's end.(I am unfamiliar with the others). This should not be like amature radio in the 1930's, it should be like Bell Telephone in the '50's.
Many older people have gotten onto WEB-TV systems to look at the grandkids and do email, rudimentary sound...but since MSN bought it theree have been problems due to consolidation of servers, making the less profitable areas (rural areas, retirement areas, non-commercial or low-density areas) much more expensive to access from.
There is a lifestyle issue as well. It takes time to do your "affairs of daily living" (ADL's), and it takes a lot more time when you are slower and less spry. Plus you spend time on things like trying to maintain your finances, your house, your car, your pets and plants, plus REAL time with real people face to face. You grow less interested in what seems to you to be another passing fancy (like phono records) requiring inordiante amounts of your energy and time, especially as you cannot see the monitor too well and keyboard ("type") with little celerity.
The internet was a real mental stiuimulus for my dad before his death, even if half the simulation was his infuriation at its failure to read his mind. I have corresponded with one of his more senior friends over the years, and he has enjoyed it a lot, but differently than I.
posted by
majroj
on September 26, 2003 at 10:30 AM
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What a contrast! I love character studies.
posted by
ginnieb
on September 26, 2003 at 10:23 AM
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