Chromebooks Are For Seniors - RonBrown - APCUG VTC - 8-19-17

[@gbalias361]

Just watched this - feb 22 -- still the best general presentation about chrome I have seen -- thank you --

[@kengartner204]

Chromebooks are very complicated for the elderly, who have vision problems, poor hand-eye coordination, move slowly. Many elderly folks have only lightly used graphical computers before so *everything* about the CB is confusing, from the track-pad, to the goofy icons on keys (such as for sound volume management) to the arcarde-like distractions on every web page. I have been trying to help an 80+ year old get started, where we can only talk by phone. Just typing in the login password was super frustrating. There are some configuration changes that can be made to change font size, cursor size, but out of the box it is not usable for the seniors I know. Really, take a sober look at the busy interface that chrome offers. There are many places that might accept typed in text, many back arrows, many 'X Close icons. A trackpad is hard to use for someone with motor control issues, a mouse does work better. While watching youtube videos, the pause button does not show unless your mouse is hovering over the playing video. There are some mysterious keyboard shortcuts that close or minimize windows --- so random typos lead to complete mystification. Trying to download/install something from the google play store - there are several levels of 'install' buttons present that are confusing. How come there is no local usage video to help someone actually learn how to use it -- not one that requires you to first access the internet? CBs -- and all the other similar devices -- offer an unfriendly and unintuitive interface for people getting started. for people who already know how to use a Window OS, the chromebook is indeed easier, working reasonably well (except slow Zoom meetings) and i have several of them.

[@peterjackson2625]

I agree with much of this. I bought a flip style 11.6" Acer Chromebook. It works OK as a laptop, but is hopeless as a tablet. The on-screen keyboard is unnecessarily large giving you less working space. My Acer tablet is far better, where Spelling prompts and grammar correction are quick and accurate, often automatic. The Acer Chromebook in tablet mode was slow, stalled, and I simply gave up. It was only good for watching a KZbin video in "tent" mode - provided I set it up on laptop mode first. As a laptop, the display text is tiny. You can increase text size in the work area, but not the outer area where you select all the operational details. As received, and I started to edit a Google Doc, I found that the backspace key didn't function. I had to use Shift-backspace. That didn't seem right. Used Powerwash. This was in my first real use! When it was back in action, Backspace worked as it should. I was only able to do this because I had seen this on KZbin. Some elderly person may have struggled for ever. It's greatest virtues are that it is very light weight, less than a bag of sugar, starts up and shuts down quickly, compared with a Windows tablet where you spend ages looking at an inactive screen. The Chromebook is quick to charge and the battery lasts for days. It recognised my printer in the next room straight away and I printed a test page easily. But otherwise, in my opinion, Chromebooks still have a long way to go, to make them a truly useful device. I bought a relatively cheap Chromebook mainly curious about what it could do and what use I could make of it. Glad I didn't go for something more expensive.

[@glennso47]

I am having trouble with getting used to my new Chromebook.

[@SugarShadow-j7w]

Yes I return new Chromebook back in box. Can't get going. Going to ask Granddaughter for lessons.

[@timhargadon7314]

Thanks for the Video. CB's are the perfect computing device for all ages. I've installed hundreds of assorted Chrome devices in small businesses and nonprofits. Most people spend most of their time web surfing and perusing email. The CB is the perfect machine for this. I've been using them since the beginning. My Mac and Windows machines are mostly idle. I manage Windows networks in my day job. I would rather manage a thousand Chrome devices than struggle to keep a dozen Windows machines clean and online.

[@user-jd5yn8sv1e]

Andre 7314

[@timhargadon7314]

The Chromebox also a good option especially for people who want to reuse an existing Monitor, Keyboard and mouse. The retail for about $159.00 on Amazon. Also many older HP printers work fine with the HP Print For Chrome.

[@hankdunckel375]

Wow, listen to learn

[@katherinebard9343]

How do I use the camera on Chromebook

[@timhargadon7314]

It's probably easier for most people to use the "HP Print for Chrome" app in the web store. This allows you to connect an HP printer via USB to a Chrome device. GCP is too difficult for most of my users. HP Print for Chrome takes seconds. Tim

[@newchangeunlisted_viewer5594]

Thank you so much I want to get one for my grandma

[@timhargadon7314]

If you are a heavy Photo Shop user the Chrome device is probably not for you. But in 30 years I've only had a fraction of users who had to use Photo Shop. This is the 1st thing Chrome haters point to. Yes you can write code with a Chrome device. You can also buy a ChromeBit and turn your TV into a computer.

[@ColinMaston]

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