AARP Online Community: smartsilvers

smartsilvers

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Name: Susan

Location:
Silicon Valley, California

School:
Norwood HS Northeastern University BSEE Rutgers University MSCS

Hometown(s):
Norwood MA, York Beach Maine, Nashua NH, Quakertown NJ, Kauai HI , Tucson AZ, Atherton CA

My Websites:
www.smartsilvers.com
www.silverssummit.com
www.digitalhealthsummit.com

Quote:
Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength ... quote by Betty Friedan

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Game	Score
Alu's Revenge	154600
Eggz	81250
Yarnz	81060
Sumatra	36109
Mah Jongg Dimensions	28450

About Me

Susan Ayers Walker is a leading edge boomer, and a freelance technology journalist. Her articles have appeared in AARP the magazine and AARP.org, Caring.com, Bottomline Retirement, ACM, EETimes, MIT Insider, American Society on Aging Newsletter and other industry journals. She is a nationally known speaker; she has appeared on NBC, and CBS, and participated in a variety of radio talk shows. She co-founder of the SmartSilvers Alliance with a mission to foster the application of technology into the home that will assist our independance and decision making as we age. Susan co-produces the Digital Health and Silvers Summits @CES -- an exhibition and conference with technology panels and roundtables that focuses on the consumer, technology and healthcare applications at the International Consumer Electronics Show each year

Interests:

Ham Radio ( KI6SFS) Gadgets, Skiiing, quilting, F1 sport cars racing

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The Easy PC -- Take a Look at GO

Last week firstSTREET, the catalog retailer who specializes in products for the +45 adult and the company MyGait, a PC manufacturer in Texas, unveiled a “fear-free” home PC especially designed for older adults that find the complexity of using a computer just too overwhelming.

I interviewed the CEO of MyGait, Jeff Hill asking him how he can confidently say his computer is “fear Free” and easy to use, after all, haven’t we heard this “tune” before with other computer vendors?

Jeff said “ We designed this computer for mature adults who want to simply send and receive email , enjoy digital photos, get some news , play a few games and surf the internet but fear the complexity of operating a PC by themselves.” The evolution of the GO computer was based on testing with more than 10,000 seniors who used it, challenged it and told us how to improve it.”

I asked what specifically did the testers tell you? Jeff said “The testers wanted a computer that couldn’t crash or break, one that was completely logical and simple, that wouldn’t confuse them, cost them their privacy or leave them vulnerable to viruses or unwanted email. “said Jeff. He went on to say “Their suggestions were responsible for a number of special features, like a zoom that enlarges the screen even for email and everything online. They favored a fingertip-controlled roller ball mouse, because it’s easier on arthritic wrists and hands, and they wanted a US-based, around-the-clock center of service.” Tall order, I replied – can you really do this?

Jeff says they did it all and the greatest thrill has been watching seniors first approach the computer with doubt, then to witness the great joy of accomplishment when a grandchild returns an email message. “There are so many poignant stories of seniors connecting online for the first time with family members. And I’m always amazed at how quickly surfing the Web suddenly becomes a favorite pastime.”

Let me describe my testing and evaluation. The Go Computer is designed to be “easy-on-the-eye” with enlarged text on the screen, and a big keyboard with easy to read lettering. There are only two things required to make this PC work: a power outlet and a broadband internet connection.

When I first turned on the computer – the boot process was quick because you are actually logging into a MyGait server. This is a thin client computer. A big “GO” button that appears at the top of the screen, a simple click on “GO” transports the user to a menu of sites and selected applications to start with, such as Web sites for current events and news, medical information, email plus games and other entertaining resources. If a user gets confused while navigating around the system, there are green directional aids along the way, and the “GO” button is always the safe harbor to easily find your way back to what you were doing so. The user need not experience the sensation of being hopelessly lost that sometimes comes with traditional computers.

The problems of maintenance, upgrades, spam, adware, phishing and viruses and other PC plagues are handled by MyGait’s secure servers on their end. The service also takes care of on-line safety, storage, upgrades and repair issues. The user never has to worry about a crash, maintenance or doing something wrong because that is all handled at the remote site.

In my opinion with GO’s ease of operation and maintenance-free operation will enable those seniors who’ve never owned a computer before to enjoy being part of the internet age communicating with grandkids and family, to importantly stay in touch and feel the satisfaction of mastering new skills. For an older adult who is frustrated by being left behind across the digital –divide it is the joy of a new independence to gain access to a wealth of information, entertainment and communication.

The GO computer prices out at $799 and come with a Flat panel display, with the CPU and communications ports attached, a keyboard, roller ball mouse, and speakers. For additional information firstSTREET has set up a new number specifically for computer information and orders: 877-670-0737 or you can visit the Websites www.theGOcomputer.com and http://www.firststreetonline.com/Featured+Products/New+Innovations/

Added: June 24, 2009
Views: 394 | Comments: 2 | Bookmarks: 1

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