So I bought a digital picture frame...

[WMLute]

I bought a ViewSonic digital picture frame for my parents last Xmas and loaded it for them.

I get a call from my Dad today telling me he hasn't monkeyed w/ that frame once and he wants to load different pictures onto it.

The guy is in his 70's and computers are really not his "forte".

I played around with this frame almost eight months ago for the first and last time, so I am having to teach my Dad everything via the phone and from rote memory.

The phrase "No...  RIGHT click it Dad" was said by me too many times to count.

Hour 1/2 later we finally have him situated and I need a stiff drink or 3.

[Jayhawk]

Now onto hooking up and securing wifi. I have some pills you might be interested in.

[jamdive]

Bought my folks a computer for Christmas. Nightmare. Anything that pops up and tells them to click and download they do...

[68ZooM]

I bought a ViewSonic digital picture frame for my parents last Xmas and loaded it for them.

I get a call from my Dad today telling me he hasn't monkeyed w/ that frame once and he wants to load different pictures onto it.

The guy is in his 70's and computers are really not his "forte".

I played around with this frame almost eight months ago for the first and last time, so I am having to teach my Dad everything via the phone and from rote memory.

The phrase "No...  RIGHT click it Dad" was said by me too many times to count.

Hour 1/2 later we finally have him situated and I need a stiff drink or 3.

lol tried to show my father how to talk to me over the internet thru emails and such, granted at the time he was 72 he looks at me and goes, i'll just call you

[Ghosth]

Bought both my dad and my father in law ebook readers some 4 months back.
Dad's 86, Father in law is 76, but both took to them like a duck to water.

Had a couple of quick phone calls for minor questions.
I did preload both up pretty nicely so I doubt either one will actually run out of material any time soon.

Long distance tech support can be a bit of a pain, but it can be worth it also.

[pipz]

Jeezzz Lute ...first you beat him hands down at CPA Trivial Pursuit and now this whole digital picture frame deal.......go easy on the guy for once 

[Heater]

Have them install Skype and use the remote screen sharing... or  setup the remote desk top to allow you access (set up the firewall to allow only your IP address)

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I also got a digital picture frame. It's called Apple iPad  

[RTHolmes]

friends/family always asking me what PC to buy cus I'm a "computer guy". I tell em all the same thing - buy an iMac. or a MacBook if they need it portable. then they say "but i can get this POS laptop for £300 less!". at that point its their call, buy a Mac and I'll support it for nothing, buy a PC your on your own. or I'll support it for my usual rate (roughly a MacBook per day). the ones that went with the Mac are still happily editing movies and DVDs, managing their photos etc etc and I've spent about 10mins total supporting each of em. the ones with PCs have pretty much given up and just use em for browsing and email as long as malware hasnt bricked the machine ...

[Tigger29]

friends/family always asking me what PC to buy cus I'm a "computer guy". I tell em all the same thing - buy an iMac. or a MacBook if they need it portable. then they say "but i can get this POS laptop for £300 less!". at that point its their call, buy a Mac and I'll support it for nothing, buy a PC your on your own. or I'll support it for my usual rate (roughly a MacBook per day). the ones that went with the Mac are still happily editing movies and DVDs, managing their photos etc etc and I've spent about 10mins total supporting each of em. the ones with PCs have pretty much given up and just use em for browsing and email as long as malware hasnt bricked the machine ...

OOO Folks what we got here is an good ole classic FANBOI!!!

Come on, did you expect any less?

[RTHolmes]

  neg, I personally run 2 macs and 2 PCs, use XP, Win 7, OS X, SuSe and ubuntu everyday. not a fanboi of anything, just using a coupla decades experience to pick the right tool for the right job is all. my family and friends arent hardcore build-your-own-PC geeks who consider spending countless hours messing around with their OS a hobby, they just want an appliance that lets them do stuff.

[ZetaNine]

Lute.......you talk about a thread resonating in my head....... bingo.  lol

we sent my mother in law a digital frame... same results.
fortunately..most of them have online instructions you can look at while you talk to your dad.
as far as pics..we just make a new collection on a micro-card and ship it off to her.. she just flips it on and off now (by orders of us)

speaking of...a nice free program to link up to and get inside of friends and family computers... TeamViewer.     http://download.cnet.com/TeamViewer/3000-7240_4-10398150.html?tag=mncol

lastly..as mentioned..skype.  I had dell send my mother in law her comuter to me after her and I ordred it..I pre loaded it with teamview..and skype..so everything is one or two clicks for her.

[Curval]

About 5 years ago we made a rule amongst all the siblings that if any of us bought my father or step mother anything electronic THEY were responsible for the *help* they would inevitably have to give.  This help basically meant doing everything, including unwrapping it, opening it, setting it up and providing 24/7 support.

5 years later they have not received ONE electronic gift.