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Sounds awful. Let's hope our own efforts to make computers easy prevail. Here's mine: http://xenon.kevinghadyani.com On 20 February 2010 06:50, Vivi Griffin <vivi.griffin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > On 19 February 2010 13:50, Gordon Henderson <gordon+dcglug@xxxxxxxxxx> > wrote: >> >> On Fri, 19 Feb 2010, Julian Hall wrote: >> >>> 'People confused and frustrated by computers can now turn to a laptop >>> called Alex built just for them. ÂBased on Linux, the laptop comes with >>> simplified e-mail, web browsing, image editing and office software.' >>> >>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8522952.stm >> >> It's expensive! >> >> If you have broadband (then why would you need "Alex"???) it's Â399.52 >> PLUS Â29.97 for the first 3 months, then Â9.99 a month after that. >> >> So Â519.40 in the first year. (And you enter a one-year contract when >> buying it) With broadband and the costs go up to Â74.79 + Â24.99 a month, so >> Â674.23 in the first year. >> >> The laptop isn't particularly special either: >> >> Âhttp://www.welcometoalex.com/page/laptop.cfm >> >> And I've just watched the video (well most of it)... >> >> It's not bad - I don't recognise what's underneath - I guess it's a >> customer window manager like Linpus on steriods with carefully >> themed/skinned applciations and maybe some custom integration. I don't think >> it's bad, but I think it's a bit costly for what it is. >> >> And some years back I did take my 94 year old grandfather (in law) through >> the process of using a computer - I installed XP on it for him, and he got >> on OK with it - could even send emails - eventually :) Would this have been >> easier for him? Not sure, but as he was a Yorkshireman he'd really not have >> liked paying for it !!! >> >> Gordon >> > I agree with all you have said but, also know a number of older people who > would like to use a computer more except that they struggle with it. One of > my customers is in his 70's. He has been using a computer for years but, his > usage of it is still restricted to Excel and Email. Apart from email, he > hardly uses the web at all. > So out of curiosity, I contacted the company and asked them if it was > possible for me to have a demo of their system, in Devon. I explained that > due to our older population in the south west, there may be some need for > such as system as theirs. Their reponse (summarised) was that they could > only do a demo at their office in London. > I think from this, they are just targetting the wealthier South East market > - perhaps that is why they think they can get away with the pricing? > Viv > > -- > The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG > http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list > FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html > > -- Dan Dart _____ Need a website? Want some music tailored to you? Visit http://www.dandart.co.uk -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html