Laptop for computer illiterate parents

[Miggi03]

Hi all.

My mum and dad are desperate to Skype us to see our daughter. I am looking for a way to get them on-line as simply and more importantly safely as possible.


I have an old laptop with an integrated web cam which I hope to use but I am wondering if I can simplify Windows or Linux to simply just be a Skype / Internet machine without all the updates etc or anything that would confuse them. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any recommendations.

I know I can auto start Skype so we can call them and then they just click answer "Hopefully"

Thanks for looking and any suggestions.

[herulach]

Is there a budget? If so then something like a mark 1 nexus 7/hudl/fire hd etc will be much easier than faffing with a laptop.

[spoon_]

Had the same problem, got them iPod Touch installed Skype and never looked back really! Works brilliantly.

[Miggi03]

That makes sense however being a new-ish dad I am extremely poor at present hence re-purposing the laptop.

I had in mind a Windows 8 interface where it is just a trio of buttons Skype, Email, Internet etc but maybe this is not the right way.

[herulach]

In that case I'd suggest you look at Ubuntu in kiosk mode. This isn't a bad tutorial to do it with chromium it should be easy enough to interpret it into loading the Skype app.

Edit: needs a link http://m.instructables.com/id/Settin...Web-Appliance/

[Frankenfurter]

I imagine if you just uninstall everything that isn't essential to a) boot, b) connect to the net and c) run skype, and then leave a shortcut in the middle of the desktop, they would be OK? A fresh install with just the essentials would probably do it, if you're forced into installing certain things you can uninstall them later.

Once they've OKed a Windows update for the first time they'd be fine with that too, but if you're really worried just make a locked down account for them and hide the admin account. If all they're using it for is Skype (on a fresh install), and you've got a good firewall, they should be OK without getting every security update right away so long as there's someone who can run the updates for them every few months.

Ubuntu kiosk is a really good idea too.

Also - Congratulations on being new-ish dad!

[Frankenfurter]

Oh, one more thought.

Have you considered selling the laptop and buying a cheap tablet? Depending how old the laptop is it might be worth looking into. You'd have to do something about the hard drive data though, obviously.

[Miggi03]

Thank you. All of these suggestions are brilliant. I think I will go down the Ubuntu Kiosk mode. Partly due to the fact the lappy has XP on it and even in user mode will be wiped out by viruses soon as security updates end ans my mum clicks on something like Free smiley's and viruses! or !!!CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE OUR MILLIONTH VISITOR!!! etc.

[herulach]

Thank you. All of these suggestions are brilliant. I think I will go down the Ubuntu Kiosk mode. Partly due to the fact the lappy has XP on it and even in user mode will be wiped out by viruses soon as security updates end ans my mum clicks on something like Free smiley's and viruses! or !!!CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE OUR MILLIONTH VISITOR!!! etc.

Thinking about it, why not use the chrome kiosk idea, and just use google hangouts instead? That way they have a reasonably general purpose device you can email photos to and things (essentially turn it into a chromebook).

[Chris-UK]

I'd also consider installing something like Teamviewer (in the unattended host mode) so you have remote access to fix any problems. I think this is available for linux too. If not there will be alternatives.

If using Windows then create a standard user account and admin account. Using the standard account for everyday stuff should mean the prompt appears for the admin password if trying to install anything at which point you mum/dad can click cancel. (this might only work on Win 7 though, not sure if XP requests the admin password or if you have to log off and on as admin).

If you also install K9 Web Protection this will prevent access to most of the sites that are most likely to have dodgy downloads.

[Miggi03]

Excellent advice. Thanks Chris.

[naromOG]

I had the exact same problem, thanks for the advice guys.

[rich835]

There is a custom built OS out there designed specifically for this purpose which is free, It's called Eldy. I considered setting this up once for a relative in a similar situation, but then circumstances changed. I think I would try it if I had a need for it.