General Chat

There are companies around that do reclycle old computers (mainly from businesses upgrading) and tihese are often sent to 3rd world countries to help the children there.

I would hate to be about 20-30 years older than I am, and then be expected to fill out all my forms online.

Yes, you could go to the local library, but what about those who are housebound, suffer from dementia or are just not mentally capable.

This government seem hellbent on hitting the poor, the elderly and the disabled without a thought. They are cruel and heartless. But most are from the wealthiest part of our society so what can we expect?

Did anyone see Breadline Kids, the other night, it broke my heart.

I am delighted that I took the plunge about 15 or 20 yrs ago and bought a refurbished computer. It has really opened the world to me. I have 'met' so many lovely people on GR, including relatives. But I would hate it if I was told I had to do some things online. I bought a brand new computer a yr or 2 ago. I am only on dial-up as broadband is too patchy here, much as I would now like it.

At 78, I don't know all the jargon, as I have been mainly self-taught, but I can manage most things, including posting photos on FB.

Quite apart from the cost of owning a computer & paying for a broadband connection, which at best is unreliable where we live, OH who is only 65 doesn´t have a clue about technology, not even the phone. He struggles with the phone anyway because he is deaf & even if I show him step by step how to do something, he gets very frustrated because he has always been a "practical" person ( he was a carpenter & joiner) & "clerical" things don´t come easily to him.
He knows that he needs to rely on what I know......which isn´t much....& he finds it demeaning.so pretends that he doesn´t need to know.

My husband won't even use a phone let alone use a computer . He has never felt comfortable with phones as his family never had a home phone as many of our generation didn't
He has a mobile now but he has to ask me to look at any text messages and delete things not wanted .the phone is for emergencies only .

He won't ever use a computer as he now has altzeimer,affecting his word recall. I do all the business online for both of us including paying his credit card which he gives me to do his payments for anyway like car insurance etc.

He would be completely lost if he had to do things himself .

I have mentioned several times to my 77 yr old cousin who lives over 100 miles away, how easy it would be to keep in touch if she had a computer (she could well afford it and isn't stupid). We keep in contact by phone at the mo but it's not always convenient to call as she likes to watch her soaps so I have to look at the tv mag first if I want to tell her anything or chat. She has a son and daughter living in Scotland and grandchildren there as well as great grandchildren so would be lovely if they could email her photos to keep her updated and such.

If I could dash off a quick email to update her etc it would be so much easier but she is adamant that there is no way she will ever use a computer and seems to think anyone who uses a computer is not being sociable by going out!!!

Her health is not good at the best of times so it won't improve now and I think in the bad weather when she mustn't go out or when she is feeling a bit poorly, she could at least make contact or amuse herself with a computer.

I am so glad I can use one and hope my faculties will remain adequate to continue keeping in touch with folk etc for many a year yet.

The main library is in the city centre several miles away and I am not sure where the nearest library is, I know a mobile van used to come round with books every week but was only here for a short time.

I don't like the idea of people being forced into things because other methods are being stopped, like the car tax etc and benefit info.

I dread to think what life will be like in another 100 years with the technology now and in the future, life will be so different from now

Lizx

I was looking through this thread and agree with Siruis.
I work in a library, with IT facilities.
Most people who use them during the day, are job searching.

It's not so much the older generation, but it seems that it's people in the middle age group who are the ones struggling.
Many have had no need or desire to use a computer until suddenly ,they find themselves in the job market with at least 10 years to go before retirement age

The job centre sets them up with an email and packs them off to the library to job search
There's only so much we can do to help.
Almost every day someone loses their own email and password and cannot understand why we can't fix it for them.
When a newbie comes in, we encourage them to secrete these details on their phone and somewhere else that's safe but accessible to them
Invariably, all their details are scribbled on scraps of paper.

Arthritis and failing eyesight Kitty? I think I'm there already and I'm not old yet lolol :-D

Well, young at heart maybe <3 :-D

Where my Mother lives there is a computer in the lounge for the residents to use but gets little use on a daily basis especially when they changed the system to touch screen, without a keyboard or mouse, and gave little instructions on how to use it.

My Mother is blind in one eye and will not use a computer although she used a basic one when she worked.

I'm still at work - and use a computer for my work, but I won't even consider online banking!!!
I'll repeat what I said - libraries are being/have been closed down - and as Graham said, not everyone lives near one, or, unless they drive (buses are being severely curtailed too), accessing one can be very difficult for some.
My friend without a computer nearly went into meltdown when he heard he may no longer be able to get his car taxed at the post office, but would have to apply online. What if you haven't got a credit or debit card? Not everyone has one, not everyone wants one.

Also, what about the social aspect of visiting a bank/post office etc? For some people, it's a reason to leave the house and socialise.
Shouldn't we embrace technology, but also embrace the working person, the person you can talk to face to face, the human?
Someone you can pass the time of day with, have a joke etc. Much more fun than the computer.

This country is getting more like a dictatorship every day.

When will everyone realise that "old people" aren't a different species, they are us in years to come, if we are lucky.

I hope I will be able to use a computer, arthritis and failing eyesight might not be part of my life, I hope I will be able to afford to run a computer with online access, but doubt it very much.

:-(

It's a good job I'm not old and have a computer. Where I live is miles away from the nearest library. It's all well and good for the filthy rich middle-aged politicians in the centre of London to tell people to go online; but in the real world that isn't always that easy. :-|

There is another problem...

As we get older, many of us forget the things we have learned, especially if the knowledge is relatively newly acquired, This might be caused by strokes or general mental decline.

The in laws are quite young at heart and went to computer classes about 15 years ago. After their lap top died, by the time they had acquired a new one they needed to reminded how to pull up something as simple as a word doc.

They certainly won't do on-line banking as they are scared ridged that their details will be stolen.

On line purchases are just as bad - we have to suggest 'presents' which can be ordered by phone or purchased at local stores. A few years ago they were quite happy to use well known sites - now they've managed to forget passwords, or locked themselves out.

I expect the answer to that Kitty will be that they will need to visit the library, already I see lots of people in there either compiling or sending off CVs for jobs, or applying for benefits. It is not just the older ones who struggle either. The librarian here ( small library) is very good with helping people, but it is not her job, and not very private.

I know a number of people who will not be able to cope with learning even basic computer skills let alone be able to afford the extra costs.

Great stuff Errol, I think I might volunteer to help in the future, I have filled in lots of forms for people in the past, and could help people do so online though I am no expert. But it does seem wrong that the elderly, and not so elderly, will have to rely on volunteers, strangers basically , to help them get what they are entitled to.

I think that the argument is that people can always access the internet at their local library and other points of contact etc

That is wrong in my book because it makes us an exclusive society so I do agree with you there KittyCraddock.

However, there is more than one way to skin a cat and I would be very much in favour of social schemes that would help with this issue.

One idea would be to "recycle" computers.

Many, many computers are thrown out every year in the UK and yet, with a little TLC, they could be perfectly usable.

Ok they won't play the latest high definition graphic "shoot 'em before they shoot you" game but I can't see my great aunt Millie really wanting to do that on a regular basis.

Another solution I have come up with is to provide what I call "social computers".

What I mean by this is a laptop that is shared between a few people - each one gets use in, say, three day blocks.
The laptop itself does not have any major gubbins (technical term) inside.
Instead, each user has his or her own dongle which has the operating system on it - so it is like carrying your own computer around in your pocket. That means nobody can access your data and there is no chance of virus cross contamination. You would also be able to plug it into public access points.

(Incidentally this is my idea and I have already placed a copyright on it.)

Exactly, Kitty.
I have a friend who has neither a computer, nor a mobile phone - and he wants neither - not that he could afford either!
Not only that, this government has closed libraries - the only access some have to computers.
It's like saying everyone has to drive or own a television.

Whatever happened to freedom of choice?

If this is true, and I sincerely hope it isn't, I hope the ones on basic state pensions are helped with the costs involved in getting a computer and paying for Internet access.

It's a lot to pay on a low fixed income.

This is a major problem and one very close to my heart.

I provide computer training for a couple of charities for "more mature" people, many of whom have never touched a computer in their lives.

There has been a lot in the press over the past few weeks about how seriously lacking we are as a nation in providing computer training for older people and yet I have been banging on about this for about three years.

I am giving an IT talk tomorrow to a club for retired chaps. I asked their secretary what they wanted me to focus on and gave a few suggestions he could run by members. The result? They unanimously wanted a talk about basic computer use and simple internet security.

As a country I feel we have let a generation down, pig-headedly thinking that "they don't need to know".

Bring on computer tuition in plain and simple English, that's what I say.

"Older people must start using the internet or run the risk of losing access to government services, a minister said yesterday.
Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, said that in the future the vast majority of public services would only be available online."

"He said one way the government was saving money was putting more services online – meaning the state can save money on people to man phones or speak to customers face-to-face.
The minister said there would he help for those who did not know how to use the internet through a ‘assisted digital service’.

The assisted service would appear to be voluntary agencies ( age uk etc ) who will help the elderly get online, but who will not be able to be there continually obviously.

I know a lot of elderly people who have never used a computer and it worries me that they will go without benefits rather than be forced into trying to use one.