Welcome to the home of Assisted Computing™. Here we discuss carefully designed apps that make today’s technology easy enough for seniors to use. Modern tech could enrich their lives so much, but instead, its complications leave them angry and frustrated.
Think of your aging parents wanting to hear some music. No way, no how, could they possibly use Spotify (Figure 1). Designed for younger users, it’s far too complicated for seniors. But suppose someone wrote an ultra-simple iPad app for easy access to their favorites (Figure 2)? Sort of a Spotify Silver, if you will. Way fewer choices, but oh-so-easy to use. Which do you think they’d use more and enjoy more? (And which would get you fewer calls demanding tech support?)
We’re designing and developing sample applications to lead the way to better software for seniors. Besides music, we’ve built apps to help seniors easily join Zoom meetings, and even finally conquer their cable TV remotes. Read some of our case studies (links on the right-hand side of this page). Use the contact form to tell us how you like these ideas, and what else you’d like to see.
We’re a loose affiliation of people dedicated to improving the lives of seniors by making today’s technology accessible to them. Our leader is David Platt, long-time software guru, instructor at Harvard University Extension School, and author of the book Why Software Sucks. We’d be happy to have you join us. Sign up for our email list, and we’ll keep you posted on everything we do.
As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Come on, let’s do it.