theelf wrote:Grey matter don't leak out your ears just because you are a grandma or in my case grandpa.
Well said, no more age and sex profiling!
But... Don't take it personal. I don't think he means grandma = dumb. I think he meant that most grandmas didn't grow up with computers as some of us did.
In the 20's it was the radio, Grandmas asked the children to synthonize their favorite station. In the 80's the remote control, etc. What's it's going to be for me? I'm just 30 something and I hate cell phones. I have to think twice (or ask) before dialing in my kids cell phone. So, for cellphones I will be your theorethical Grandma.
That does not mean I'm dumb (there may be other clearer indications). It still takes me a couple of days to feel quite confident in a new programming language. I started answering Linux questions two days after I became a user, I can become profficient in a Video Game in an afternoon but I'm technically challenged with the cellphones.
So Let's stop using 'granny' as an example and lets profile the 'technically challenged' people. (I will abreviate as
TC) and I will alternate the sex.
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Now, refocusing. I have already said that all of the sirexel suggestions are valid suggestions and are worth considering. That's what he prefers.
I just want to put them in context to see if the arguments are also valid:
A) If
TC is looking for a trashcan, he is already technically savy. She has used another OS.
If she's never used a computer, a trashcan or a right click will be as easy/difficult to learn. (Actually new users find dragging to be quite a difficult task)
B) As for the single folder location. Linux already has that concept. It's called the Home folder (one for each user). In puppys case it just happens to be the /root folder because it runs as root. But everything you download or create goes there by default. A
TC won't even care what the folder is called.
The actuall problem of 'dude, where did I leave my document?' is a problem common to all current OS's. Some OS's are already trying to solve it by organizing things for what they are and not for where they are.
C)
TC may need to edit stuff. At least don't prevent her from doing it by not showing a text editor. (Text editors and word processors are tools meant for two different tasks)
Sure 80% of the users use 20% of the applications... ejem ejem, do all the users use the same 20 %? So, make the most used applications easy, but keep the rest possible and accessible.
Keep it simple but not dumbed down.
D) Finally
TC does not leave in the vacum. If
TC want's or needs to use a computer, he will ask for help or enroll in a training course.
Every
TC knows her limitations. Even when he's used one computer he asks for a walthrough when borrowing another one.
Hey, I was once a
TC computer user. Of course it was 23 years ago and It did not last for long. I actually started with a course.
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