PC PCs for the ‘final third’
Yesterday the BBC reported little of interest from Tuesday’s gathering of the public sector, fellow quangos and charities at the National Digital Inclusion Conference 2008, except that Microsoft is developing a ‘senior PC’ with a simple interface.
The government is giving new impetus to the issue of digital exclusion, panted the BBC. It has recently appointed a Minister for Digital Inclusion and created the Home Access Taskforce, which will see free PCs given to the most needy. Warm and fuzzy feelings all round.
The conference title was ‘Reaching the final third.’ That would be third of the UK population that is not only computer illiterate, but functionally illiterate as well, thanks to an educational system that the rest of the world regards as the benchmark on how not to do it.
Somehow that subject didn’t get into the conference schedule.
Stephen Uden, Microsoft UK’s head of skills and economic affairs, said his company is developing a PC with a simple interface in partnership with charities Age Concern and Help the Aged. The device will have prescription-specific software and simplified tools for everyday use.
Microsoft UK’s Julian Price told HEXUS.channel, ‘we are currently exploring opportunities to make the Senior PC concept available here in the UK. The concept is part of a number of solutions from Microsoft that aims to connect people without access or the skills to use technology.’
MS and HP already offer a range of ‘senior PCs’ in the States. It is not clear what adaptations will be necessary for the UK market, but a pilot incorporating a ‘social software licensing model’ is to be launched in partnership with Milton Keynes council. The device will come preloaded with a step by step guide to how to get online, be safe and perform simple computer tasks.
It was left to Kevin Carey of the Royal National Institute of Blind People to query how digital inclusiveness could extend to those who cannot read. ‘There is a perception that if you nail someone to a chair and teach them word processing the world will be a better place – it won’t,’ he said.
