Techie advice for technophobic old fogies (2 Viewers)

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

Parents are both 88. Zero knowledge of the internet, broadband, streaming,BBC iPlayer etc. and they do not have the internet.

They only have Freeview and mainly just watch films on Talking Pictures TV and Film 4.

Thing is, they have now given up and say they have seen everything.

They do have a DVD player and I cannot think of anything past that to help. Is that it? Anything else to keep them entertained?

They used to have the TV on all day, but now it is switched off and they are both just sitting there doing nowt. Sad to see.

Their TV is quite old too (though they are very happy with it). Not smart in any way shape or form and no USB port etc.

Have I missed anything past just getting them a load of DVD's?

Nick · Nov 17, 2018

Does it have hdmi? Get them an Amazon fire stick and a broadband connection

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

Nick said:
Does it have hdmi? Get them an Amazon fire stick and a broadband connection

They are adamant they don't want the internet and no intrusion.

They won't even use Direct Debits. They draw all their money out at the bank and pay all their bills over the counter everywhere.

Total technophobes.

chiefdave · Nov 17, 2018

Had the same thing with my parents. Got them a stick but they didn't really use it.

Ended up getting them a LG TV as it has everything integrated into the main menu. Once everything is setup and logged in its really easy to use. Only had to show them once and they've got he hang of it.

chiefdave · Nov 17, 2018

Otis said:
They are adamant they don't want the internet and no intrusion.

Not much you can do then is there? If they won't have internet the options are really limited.

chiefdave · Nov 17, 2018

Can you still get those DVD subscriptions where they send you them by post? Might have all disappeared thanks to streaming but if you can find one that might be an option.

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

chiefdave said:
Not much you can do then is there? If they won't have internet the options are really limited.

Yeah. Just wondering if there is anything through the telephone line maybe, but clutching at straws.

They won't even record anything, so if anything is on TV after their bedtime they just miss it rather than record it to watch the next day.

Tough.

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

chiefdave said:
Can you still get those DVD subscriptions where they send you them by post? Might have all disappeared thanks to streaming but if you can find one that might be an option.

Yeah, good shout.

Ideal scenerio would be the old DVD rental Blockbuster places that used to abound.

Could buy them some DVD's but it would be a bit of a waste. They never watch anything twice.

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

chiefdave said:
Had the same thing with my parents. Got them a stick but they didn't really use it.

Ended up getting them a LG TV as it has everything integrated into the main menu. Once everything is setup and logged in its really easy to use. Only had to show them once and they've got he hang of it.

How old are they if you don't mind my asking?

SBAndy · Nov 17, 2018

Try buying bundles of DVDs off eBay?

chiefdave · Nov 17, 2018

Otis said:
How old are they if you don't mind my asking?

Early 80s, not great with any tech. Got them both basic mobile phones they can't work!

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

SBAndy said:
Try buying bundles of DVDs off eBay?

Yeah, my thinking. They even have 3 for a pound down the charity shop, but my parents have stacks of DVD's.

Only thing I can think of is to buy a shed load and take away their old ones.

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

chiefdave said:
Early 80s, not great with any tech. Got them both basic mobile phones they can't work!

Ha, ditto.

Dad had one, never ever used it. It's stuck in a drawer somewhere.

Every time I ring my mum she rejects the call by mistake. Still can't get the hang of the red and green little icons to slide, so slides her finger in the wrong direction.

Nick · Nov 17, 2018

Otis said:
They are adamant they don't want the internet and no intrusion.

They won't even use Direct Debits. They draw all their money out at the bank and pay all their bills over the counter everywhere.

Total technophobes.

They wouldn't even know what it was.

They would just think they had lots of new channels

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

Nick said:
They wouldn't even know what it was.

They would just think they had lots of new channels

Ha, yeah, but when I suggested having more channels, my dad said 'we don't want any more flippin channels'.

My mum is fine, but my dad is so stubborn.

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

Nick said:
They wouldn't even know what it was.

They would just think they had lots of new channels

Would just have to lie and say they have added channels for free.

Gazolba · Nov 17, 2018

TV is overrated, there lots of other things to do.
Most people underestimate the entertainment value of a radio, especially short-wave radio.
There's all kinds of stuff on the airwaves.
Also, there is:
Dominoes, Chess, Sudoku, Scrabble, Bananagrams, Crosswords, Jigsaw Puzzles, Reading, Drawing, Painting or any other crafts.
My mother did sewing, needlecraft, crocheting, basket weaving etc. into her late 80's.

tommydazzle · Nov 17, 2018

Naked twister?

bringbackrattles · Nov 17, 2018

Otis get them a digital radio. They'll love one so many stations too. They'll love Planet Rock !

Otis · Nov 17, 2018

Gazolba said:
TV is overrated, there lots of other things to do.
Most people underestimate the entertainment value of a radio, especially short-wave radio.
There's all kinds of stuff on the airwaves.
Also, there is:
Dominoes, Chess, Sudoku, Crosswords, Jigsaw Puzzles, Reading, Drawing, Painting or any other crafts.
My mother did sewing, needlecraft, crocheting, basket weaving etc. into her late 80's.

My mum used to knit and my dad used to do crosswords. They can no longer do so. My mum's hands shake and my dad can no longer see too well.

They only have the TV.

Gazolba · Nov 17, 2018

There's tons of DVDs in charity shops.
Is Satellite TV available? Might be expensive though.

Adge · Nov 18, 2018

bringbackrattles said:
Otis get them a digital radio. They'll love one so many stations too. They'll love Planet Rock !

Or radio X. :emoji_thumbsup:

Otis · Nov 18, 2018

I have no idea what that is, but I did go through my DVD collection and found the first series of Broadchurch. That should keep them occupied for a while. 3 discs, 8 episodes.

12 certificate too, which is great, because they don't like swearing, violence or sex.

Oh, and they are not keen on it in films and TV shows either.

dutchman · Nov 18, 2018

Otis said:
Parents are both 88. Zero knowledge of the internet, broadband, streaming,BBC iPlayer etc. and they do not have the internet.

They only have Freeview and mainly just watch films on Talking Pictures TV and Film 4.

Thing is, they have now given up and say they have seen everything.

At their age they probably have.

Otis said:
They used to have the TV on all day, but now it is switched off and they are both just sitting there doing nowt. Sad to see.

Or perhaps they are merely exercising good judgement?

Otis said:
Have I missed anything past just getting them a load of DVD's?

Or maybe they just want to be left alone?

Otis · Nov 18, 2018

dutchman said:
At their age they probably have.

Or perhaps they are merely exercising good judgement?

Or maybe they just want to be left alone?

Nope. They both seem sad and lost.

dutchman · Nov 18, 2018

I had a friend once who used to send home made DVD recordings of every programme he watched to everybody he knew. He became quite irate when someone pointed out to him that if they were remotely interested in those programmes they would have watched them when they were first broadcast.

Otis · Nov 18, 2018

dutchman said:
I had a friend once who used to send home made DVD recordings of every programme he watched to everybody he knew. He became quite irate when someone pointed out to him that if they were remotely interested in those programmes they would have watched them when they were first broadcast.

Yeah, get that. My parents do go to bed early though, so miss any programme after about 8.30.

bringbackrattles · Nov 18, 2018

Best programme on the telly tonight by far Dynasties the Attenborough documentary. They'll love that I guarantee.

Otis · Nov 18, 2018

bringbackrattles said:
Best programme on the telly tonight by far Dynasties the Attenborough documentary. They'll love that I guarantee.

Think again.

Sky_Blue_Daz · Nov 18, 2018

I tried to explain the concept of Facebook to my mum ages ago.
I said type in the name of someone you know and you’ll see if they are on it, bless my mum she typed “my sister Mary” into the search bar .

Otis · Nov 18, 2018

Sky_Blue_Daz said:
I tried to explain the concept of Facebook to my mum ages ago.
I said type in the name of someone you know and you’ll see if they are on it, bless my mum she typed “my sister Mary” into the search bar .

Religious person is she?

Techie advice for technophobic old fogies (2 Viewers)

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