As I'm pretty sure all of you know only too well, the elderly have big problems in getting accustomed to modern technology in general and computers in particular. However, in order to help them better integrate into our increasingly digitized world, firstSTREET and MyGait partnered and launched the GO computer, designed specifically to be used by seniors.
As firstSTREET informs us, one of the things that really differentiate this computing system from any other available on the market is its ease of use. Hence, there's a large “GO” button that appears at the top of the screen, and a simple click transports the user to a variety of sites and applications, including some that are especially useful to the older user such as Web sites for news or medical information, as well as games and other entertaining and brain-stimulating resources.
Given its targeted segment, the GO provides certain features that should really come in handy for the elderly. For example, the system includes a large-letter keyboard, as well as a zoom feature that enlarges the screen up to 200 percent, even for email and everything online. Plus, instead of a classic mouse, the GO has been equipped with a fingertip-controlled rollerball mouse.
Moreover, should the user get confused while navigating around the system (and with older people, this is certainly a possibility to be taken into account), there are green directional aids along the way, and the “GO” button is always the safe harbor. Additionally, the problems of maintenance, spam, viruses and lost work have all been resolved by having safety, storage and repair issues handled remotely at MyGait, which monitors these computers 24/7. The user never has to worry about keeping the computer in tip-top condition because that is all handled at the remote site, as are any threats to security or safety.
The Go computer for seniors is sold by firstSTREET for around 800 US dollars, which is not even that high a sum, all things considered, given the fact that it might help open up the world of Internet and digital communications to a lot of senior citizens.
We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is 
.
