Years ago, my elderly parents decided to get a computer and become "high tech". And ever since, I've been having trouble to get them to understand the basic functions of a pc. I still occasionally get the phone call from my dad asking me how to perform the most basic functions like downloading pdf files or downloading music. Just the other day, I was asked again how to get into email.
I recently got them a tablet so they could surf, check email, and eventually skype (when it finally comes out) while sitting comfortably on the couch watching tv. Somehow, they're not having trouble with the tablet.
I don't get it. They've been having trouble with the pc for years. I've always figured it's because of the multi-function aspect of the pc that's been giving them trouble. Almost everything else in the house (microwave, washing machine, dish washer, oven, toaster, tv, dvd player, bluray, etc.) has a perfect hardware-software integration and only serves 1 purpose.
But for some reason, they're not having any trouble with their first touch screen device. They're actually able to explore and find new ways at doing things with the gtab. I've been watching in awe as my parents do one thing after another with the gtab. Never seen them so technical before.
I can't seem to find a pattern here. How come they're still having trouble with the PC and yet they have no trouble with an android tablet? Anyone else observing this in their elderly parents?
PS - My 80 yr old uncle is thinking of getting a tablet after seeing how my parents have been playing with a tablet.
Doing the same thing with my mom too. Recluse and giving up on life at 71. The grab has really changed things alot. I put Facebook as a icon on the main screen and she now pecks away talking to my sister 1200 miles away. And her grandson too. Trying video calls next with Skype but haven't got there with working 2 jobs. The gtab has been a God send for me. Even jewels helps with mental abilities and now she is addicted. I can't get it away from her. I am really greatful for this wonderful device. Took it to work and a coworker bought 2 at woot where I bought mine. She asked me to flash them for her. I told her I would show her since she is like me working in lab and IT. Its a wonderful thing. Dan
The more I think about I think its about ease of use. Giving mom a laptop. She is afraid she would break it. Also size. Desktop means sitting at a desk etc. And a keyboard. She can't type. And oh I am going to break this big expensive machine. But she is good at hunt and peck.
Fear factor. By giving her something small, thin and eyecandy takes the fear out of it. Its more like a microwave screen than a huge desktop or even a laptop. Also her gtab has become personal. This is mine and I like it. Its fun and functional at the same time. You should see her playing stuntcar and steering the screen like a car. I also like to say she is partially blind in one eye and bad in the other. This has really helped her visual aquity alot in the month we have had our devices.
I have had the same experience with my mother. She is a complete technophobe. So much so that she retired early from her career as a nurse because she was about to start having to use a Palm Pilot to monitor prescriptions and such. She's wanted email for years and we've tried computers, laptops, etc, all to no avail. She's intimidated by them or something and after a very short period she just stops using them. This is a woman who's scared to program numbers into her cell phone and usually asks me or my brother to do it for her when she needs someone added.
My brother broke down and bought her an iPad for Christmas this year and it's really stuck with her. She's using it everyday to email people (it's the first time we've been able to get her to email consistently) and search recipes on the Internet. For whatever reason, it doesn't intimidate her like every thing else, including her basic, no-frills cell phone. I don't know what it is, but it's working and I'm not complaining.
I'm starting to wonder if it isn't the touch screen that allows a lot of this. Is it that non-techies are actually more comfortable manipulating things this way? Perhaps a more natural method of input allows them to have a higher comfort level and the higher comfort level allows them to push the boundaries of what they know a little harder. I don't know, but it sure seems to be a common theme.
Technology tots
Funny how the elderly and the very young take to tablets/itouch but probably for very different reasons. My 4 year old grandson just bought $60 worth of extras off my daughters iTouch while playing a game.
Not to take your thread off topic, but yahoo messenger + video plugin works great on the gtab if you didn't want to wait for Skype to get their butts in gear. My wife and I use it everyday when I travel.
crispyone said:
Not to take your thread off topic, but yahoo messenger + video plugin works great on the gtab if you didn't want to wait for Skype to get their butts in gear. My wife and I use it everyday when I travel.
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Have you any idea how many hours I put in to showing, explaining, showing again, explaining again, etc... my elderly parents, elderly uncles, elderly aunts, and all their computer illiterates how to use skype? Just last week, they had issues with hearing my parents. My parents had to call me and tell me about it. I, in turn, called all the way to the other side of the world to tell them to turn up their volume.
No, I think I will wait for skype on android, thank you very much.
goodintentions said:
I, in turn, called all the way to the other side of the world to tell them to turn up their volume.
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Or turn up their hearing aid!
To the computer illiterates, something as simple as double clicking on an exe file is a world of confusion. Those who live in a modern country like the USA have trouble understanding this. Usually, when I tell people that my folks back in my home country have trouble finding the print button or even have trouble understanding the print button concept people don't believe me. Surely, they thought, nobody in the world would have trouble with clicking on print and out comes a printed paper.
Last month, one of our relatives back in my home country paid a couple of guys to set up their computer for them to yahoo vid with us. The dumbasses (the guys who got paid to set up their system) put the camera facing the front window. Those who have the least experience with cameras should know that you never shoot anyone with the sun as the background. Won't see anything. It took me about half an hour to instruct them to move the camera to face somewhere else for this side of the family to see them.
You know how when someone calls you on skype there's a big green button that says "accept"? Well, some people have trouble understanding the concept of a virtual button, so even something as simple as moving the mouse cursor to the accept button and press it requires time, explanation, and frustration.
You think you have it bad dealing with android newbies? Try dealing with people who until the last couple years never even know what a computer was. Now, try explaning what a mouse cursor is over the phone with the other side of the line being 3 thousand miles away.
Edit.
And to the previous post, have you any idea how painful it was to instruct them to press the Fn button while pressing the + sign to up the volume? They even had trouble understanding the concept of pressing 2 buttons simultaneously. And no doubt, some people here will not believe me. Again, surely, they thought, everybody in the world knows how to turn up the volume.
My guess is that you've already used some sort of remote PC app, but if not,
I would suggest trying out Teamviewer.
It's free for personal use and is dead simple to set up (you might consider setting it to auto-start when they turn on the PC - just put good PW protection on the service.)
I like TV better than any other Remote app.
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
My guess is that you've already used some sort of remote PC app, but if not,
I would suggest trying out Teamviewer.
It's free for personal use and is dead simple to set up (you might consider setting it to auto-start when they turn on the PC - just put good PW protection on the service.)
I like TV better than any other Remote app.
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Been using VNC pro. But again, the problem is trying to get them to install and give me their ip address. If I can remote control their PCs without having them install the software and giving me their ip's, then I might as well hack into banking systems and make myself rich.
goodintentions said:
Been using VNC pro. But again, the problem is trying to get them to install and give me their ip address. If I can remote control their PCs without having them install the software and giving me their ip's, then I might as well hack into banking systems and make myself rich.
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I know we went way OT here, but that's why I like TV. It uses the TV server's as an intermediary, so you don't need their IP. All you need is the ID for their install (which never changes) and their password. If you can get it set up the one time, then you'll never have that issue again.
You can even set up a profile/login to store all of the ID's that you commonly connect to (and their passwords) to make connecting/logging in very easy.
I have a small company with 5 remote employees who are at varying degrees of tech savvy. Once I got TV set up with all the ID's, I can take over their computer anytime I want ... Doesn't need their intervention at all.
Can you please tell me what TV stand for? Don't tell me to google. Every google result has something to do with television.
goodintentions said:
Can you please tell me what TV stand for? Don't tell me to google. Every google result has something to do with television.
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TeamViewer
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
TeamViewer
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
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Just spent the last 2 hours trying to instruct relatives how to run teamviewer on their vista pc. No go. I gave up after an hour trying to explain to them what a window was. I even showed them my screen showing them step by step instruction. They just couldn't understand why I couldn't "remote control" their pc because I already knew their email pass.
Again, you people think its bad dealing with droid noobs? Try being tech support for people who don't know what a mouse cursor is on the other side of the world.
TV is no go. Any other suggestion? Apparently, checking a box and clicking next is too complicated.
goodintentions said:
Just spent the last 2 hours trying to instruct relatives how to run teamviewer on their vista pc. No go. I gave up after an hour trying to explain to them what a window was. I even showed them my screen showing them step by step instruction. They just couldn't understand why I couldn't "remote control" their pc because I already knew their email pass.
Again, you people think its bad dealing with droid noobs? Try being tech support for people who don't know what a mouse cursor is on the other side of the world.
TV is no go. Any other suggestion? Apparently, checking a box and clicking next is too complicated.
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I'm surprised they can turn the computer on.
I really don't know of anything easier than TeamViewer.
Did you try using the QuickSession? I think you can download the QuickSession app and pre-configure it to 'auto-dial' back to your system. 'all' you have to do is get them to run the app (which sounds like a chore in and of itself).
If you figure out how to get through this pain one time and get control of the system, TeamViewer will be your best friend forever
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
I'm surprised they can turn the computer on.
I really don't know of anything easier than TeamViewer.
Did you try using the QuickSession? I think you can download the QuickSession app and pre-configure it to 'auto-dial' back to your system. 'all' you have to do is get them to run the app (which sounds like a chore in and of itself).
If you figure out how to get through this pain one time and get control of the system, TeamViewer will be your best friend forever
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Unfortunately, most of the problem is getting them to run the damn app.
See, we have to understand the fact that some parts of the world just haven't dealt much with a multitasking machine. A tv, vcr, frige, radio, etc. all have perfect software-hardware integration. people don't even notice the software part. They think the hardware is all of it. But with a computer they have to deal directly with software. Huge part of my problem was getting them to press software buttons. They just can't wrap their heads around soft buttons.
This is why back in my home country people get paid ridiculously high for teaching basic microsoft office skills. Heck I should quit my job and go back there and be a professor there.
God that was frustrating.
My mother just moved, and her old WinXP PC didn't survive the move. I built her a new one using an dual core Atom/ION2 mobo, and since she only browsed and checked email I installed Ubuntu. She is 84 years old.
I had made shortcuts for Firefox and Yahoo email on her WinXP box, so I did the same with the Ubuntu one. I even installed a WinXP-looking desktop wallpaper.
She had U-verse internet installed, and the tech booted the PC to do the online registration. He had to call me and said he had looked all over and couldn't find Internet explorer on the PC. I had to tell him that he was using a Linux OS, and not a Microsoft OS!
I considered offering my second Woot g-tablet to my mom, but not sure if she would really use it.
Wow, great thread reading about technology touching people in a positive way...
IMHO, LogMeIn Hamachi is hands down easier than ANYTHING else. Install, join network, finished.
It works similar to TV, but with less 'stuff'.
Install on your computer an create "My Hamachi Group"
Create a password for "My Hamachi Group"
Give your group name "My Hamachi Group" and "group password" to whom ever you wish to join your network
They simply install, enter "My Hamachi Group" and the "group password" and are now on your virtual private network.
Use good old native remote desktop to view remote computers, not another program. Works excellent with Vista and Seven when installed with right-click and Run as Administrator, no special tricks for XP.
Runs by default at startup and you can see who is available and connected at all times.
tenet420 said:
IMHO, LogMeIn Hamachi is hands down easier than ANYTHING else. Install, join network, finished.
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I looks like that is a windows program. I, and now my mother, use Linux. Fortunately (for her) she lives close enough that I can just go over to her apartment. If she ever starts to actually use her Ubuntu PC for something other than browsing/email, then I'm screwed!!
Does anyone know how Chrome to Phone reacts with multiple devices?
I have Chrome to phone nicely working on both home/work laptops and Chrome to Phone on my phone
but now I have a Xoom I'd like to be able to push links to either phone or xoom depending on what I am planning on using... I recently tweeted a link from laptop to pick up on Xoom... when I thought it'd be simplier to C2P it...
Had a quick google and search on the forum but couldn't see any/many people doing it without logging out and logging in and using multiple accounts...
just a simple 'where do you want to send the link' a bit like the Android Market works would be good enough...
Thanks
Have the same question! Got a phone+xoom and unfortunately the one i install chrome-to-phone apk the last is the device that gets "registered". no way to choose the device to which to send to!
bummer!
It sends to both. I can't see a way to change it.
Sent from my phone
I wonder if its something we can bug google to add as a feature in an upcoming update...
Would so love to see something like this - send either to my phone or my tablet: it makes perfect sense! Wonder why nobody has made anything like this?
Apparently more than one extension exists for this function.
Use the correct extension, this allows for selecting a device from all recognised devices in your Google profile:
Google support page:
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2451559
Chrome to Mobile extension:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/idknbmbdnapjicclomlijcgfpikmndhd
Does anyone know if there is an app out there where you can take one android device and remote control it from another android device. Preferably via a bluetooth connection.
I would like to be able to use my current Android phone and remote control my old android phone. This way i can just leave my old android phone hooked up to a set of speakers and use my new android phone to change the music.
It would be nice to be able to browse the media library off the old android right from my new android device with out having to put that media collection on my new phone.
So, i guess idealy im looking for a remote desktop app for android from android
I didn't read the whole page but I'm pretty sure this is what your looking for.
Clicky Here
any chance do you know a way to do this with out having a network in place? Or could i use my new phone, set up a hot spot and then proceed to use my phone hosting the hot spot to control the old phone?
dionysos803 said:
any chance do you know a way to do this with out having a network in place? Or could i use my new phone, set up a hot spot and then proceed to use my phone hosting the hot spot to control the old phone?
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I'm not entirely sure, its worth a try. I haven't done this personally, I'm just a search warrior lol.
Thanks a lot! This is the exact idea of what I'm looking for conceptually. Now to find a way to week the network settings!
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No problem, let me know how it goes.
I found mixing PlugPlayer and Bubble UPNP (apps) together allow me to obtain the actual results of what i want to do with the two phones. All i need to do is get the Wifi tether to create a local network without affecting my actual data service.
well done sir
I realize this might be more of an apple question but i feel like ive already searched to the ends of the interweb on apple forums and gotten nowhere and when i ask a question over there the only answer i seem to get is "shouldve bought an ipad"... So I'm wondering if there is a way to sync an itunes library with an android device without a computer? As far as i know, all of the common apps out there (doubletwist, airbind, etc) need to be set up on a computer first. Im trying to bypass this step with my little brothers iphone 5 and a rooted android tablet with ICS. I bouht him the tablet for xmas, but decided to give it to him early when his laptop was stolen earlier this week. He doesnt live near me or i would let him use my laptop to sync with his itunes. Is this even possible? Or will he need to find a computer? Please help!!!
There's doubleTwist player on Play Store which I've heard is pretty awesome at syncing iTunes- all for free. If you dkm't need a whole new player then there's quite a few other apps on market, not sure how reliable they are though...
Soryuu, thanks for the reply. My understanding is that you still need a mac or Windows computer to set up doubletwist I initially? Or am I wrong? Can I do this with just an iPhone and an android device??
Edit: Yeah, you need a desktop to work doubleTwist/Airsync and so on.
An iPhone and an Android device?
I don't think there's any easy solution to this except using cloud storage like Google Drive or something- which would be slow enough on its own- and even then, depending on how many songs you have it'd be a tediously slow process downloading them onto the tablet. If you are using cloud storage... I've never used iPhones so I don't know but can they make zips out of files? If you can that may make it slightly easier- zip the music up (if possible), upload to the cloud and then download it as one package.
There is this app that seems to work like NFC: http://m.wikihow.com/Use-Bump-Between-an-iPhone-and-Android
But 1.) Not sure about tablets- I assume so if its that popular of an app but there was no mention and
2.) Apparently its semi-functional according to some of the reviews I've seen.
I guess you could try it out and see what happens.
Other than that I don't think there's much else...
Sent from my GT-I9000
I'd posted this in the [HELP THREAD], but it got snowed under by lots of rooting and unbricking questions, so I figured I'd try my luck here.
I work in IT support where we have to take photos of damaged machines and store them on the PC, to be sent out in an email later on. Right now I use Google Keep or Evernote to sync the images, but that can be slow, especially since there's poor phone reception indoors. We have a wifi network, but there's no internet access (long story, but it's an authentication issue with the network).
What I'd love to do, is to take a photo, open the share menu, hit "Share via LAN", pick my PC / Windows share from a predetermined list and have the photo copy over.
ES File Explorer has a share to LAN feature, but it wants to scan the whole network (~1500 machines), or says it's not connected,
Do you know of any apps out there that can let me effortlessly share files and photos to a machine on the LAN quickly? I'm thinking Tasker might be able to accomplish this using it's net features, but I haven't tried yet.
Did you ever get something here? This is insane that it's not a much more common issue. I have tried several times over the past year or so to find a solution but nothing. Trying again today...
BigBrosMo said:
Did you ever get something here? This is insane that it's not a much more common issue. I have tried several times over the past year or so to find a solution but nothing. Trying again today...
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Somewhat. The other week I discovered Pushbullet which has a pretty effortless sharing option -- you install the Chrome extension and the Android app (both free) and create a PB account. Then you just take the photo, share with Pushbullet and pick Chrome as the option. Give it a minute and then you get a popup on your computer with the URL to the file.
Other option was AirDroid which (I think) has a remote camera feature. That could be used to snap photos by using my device as a sort of webcam.
In the end, I grabbed a spare webcam off a colleague who wasn't using it and just used the Windows 8 Camera app to take my photos, but I've used PB a few times to quickly share photos without waiting for them to sync to Google