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Do Older People Really Need Seperate Internet Sites?

11 January 2007 1,008 views Comments

I think there is a definite need for sites for the older generation. However at the same time there is a need for education of some of the common things that we take for granted over the web.

A few examples:

  • If i gave my father a URL to go see, he will type it into the Google search box, not the address bar. Then click on it once found in the search results.
  • Messenger is seen as a form of email, not instant communication.

I don’t use these examples to jest, there is a legitimate need for education in these very simple tasks.

The other thing to remember however is that my mother-in-law wouldn’t want to use a site specifically targeted to old people, she would see this as condescending more than anything else.

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  • Gabe Fineman
    I do not understand your examples, perhaps because I am probably older than your parents.
    What difference does it make how they get to the URL? In most programs (for example Word) there are multiple ways to do many things. Most people (young and old) learn only one way and use it even when more efficient ways exist. Do you use Styles in Word to do formatting?
    I do not use IM myself because I am a poor speller (I have yet to see one with a built in spell checker) and I believe that communication is enhanced when I have a chance to review what I am saying. I also resent (as your parents probably do) the assumption on the other end that I will drop more important tasks to immediately reply because that person chose this means of communication. It does look, however, as though your parents do see IM as a form of commutation but have chosen not to use it the same way that you do.
    -Gabe Fineman
  • Bruce
    Gabe, there are plenty of ways to get spell checking in IM. Most involve loading an alternative (not the official) IM client, but that usually translates into a *lot* more of the features you wanted, or never even knew you wanted.

    I use Trillian, which can show the usual red dots under words it suspects are misspelled. Most other IM clients can do the same. Trillian (and most others) can also connect to all the IM systems at once, consolidating your communication into one (multi-paned) window.
  • jay
    I guess I look for the efficiencies in everything i do. As an example i am perfectly happy to post this comment without spell checking or capitalisation of the letter ‘i’. Is that efficient, or lazy? :)

    I do use styles in word. I also autofill in excel using only the keyboard.

    I don’t think the immediacy of communication offered by IM is something they resent either, in fact they probably welcome any opportunity i take to communicate with them.

    I think the key is that i am maybe get frustrated when I see people doing things where there is a better way to do it. And maybe this is simply most evident in the older people i know, however affects everyone.

    Jay
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