OAP Friendly OS

[Haptic]

Hi all

 

(probably wrong forum for this so Mods please move if there is somewhere more suitable)

 

Basically my dad is moving to warmer climes and since my grandparents witnessed Skype over Xmas they are moving towards the idea of using it to converse intercontinental.

 

The problem I have is that the pair of them are in their mid 80's and aren't exactly tech savvy (insert anecdote regarding sky plus stopping worlds tv etc here). As such I was wondering if anyone knows of any OS (ideally open source) which is massively stripped down and simplified so their only choice is Skype or web browser with nice large friendly looking icons?

 

Appreciate that I could just use windows accessibility options but was wondering if there was anything else out there- not least as the spec on the machine I'm providing is woeful.

 

Any help/ suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[featured_spectre]

you could always wait for the google Chrome OS to come out...

[Domino]

In all honesty Ubuntu is probably your best bet.

 

Not only is it full of big friendly buttons, but its one of the widest used consumer level linux OS's so has the widest support base available.

 

Also, if the machine is really bad - installing the netbook remix edition might be an idea, as its much less power hungry and also has a revised interface.

 

http://s0n1c2122.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/ubuntu_netbook_10-04.png

[pscott]

Various motherboards come with InstantON OS, which runs from the mainboard and offers very simple web browser, email, and skype. Although I don't know what the functionality of them would be as to updating and webcams etc.....

 

If you are willing to wait for the iPad2, this will include a camera, which Skype uses for video chat

[carvjo]

Install linux of some flavour and eldy

 

Eldy Seniors Computer Software for Elderly

 

or 2X do a very light OS that boots from a memory stick - only gives you a web browser for using google docs or similar..

 

2X CloudClient OS