.... and I don't mean me

My 82 year old dad-in-law has just been made a widower. He's 320 miles away so visiting is not as easy as it could be. He's smart enough with technology to operate the digital TV and cope with the EPG / DVD player (which is more than I can do sometimes!) but he's never used a computer or even a qwerty keyboard of any kind.

I have been toying with the idea of setting him up with a basic laptop with built in webcam, getting broadband for him (he is only 180 metres from the exchange) and setting up a skype account so he can video call the family and vice versa. I could configure the router for remote access so I can manage it and use some sort of RDC if he needs help. I travel down to his area reasonably frequently so could visit to set him up.

Does anyone have any experience of doing this with an octagenarian newbie PC user? Am I being unrealistic? And if not what sort of laptop would you suggest (zero space for a desktop - the PC has to be brought out to sit on the table)?

Aside from the web cam we need virtually nothing else. He won't be writing letters and I doubt he'd be interested in eMail. I'll set him up with AV and firewall.

Footprint immaterial. Budget reasonable

If it's only very basic stuff, I'd have though a netbook or cheap laptop would suffice, something with a built-in webcam so there are no wires.

If you install skype and put it on the desktop, just tell him to double click it (if that is too much make icons act like links so he only needs to click it once), call it something sensible maybe (like "call family").

Should be fairly easy from there...

I support my bosses dad, and his father-in-law, one of his uncles and a load of younger people who are far worse. I always let out a big sigh when they call, but they're nice blokes and as long as you have patience then anything can be achieved. Skype is not going to be a problem unless you're short-tempered with him!

I'm guessing the old guy's eyesight isn't up to a netbook size screen, but you can get a new decent sized laptop for not much over £200 which should be fine. £350 will buy you a really nice one. Just use your noodle when you choose it, and think about what he needs rather than what you want.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/222472

Rock solid Tosch even comes with Skype pre-installed. You'll find something less than half that price on eBay if you want to tell him what a bargain you got, which I know my folks would appreciate but not every family is as tight as mine LOL!

I'd arrange the broadband for him. I'm sure you can check out the best deals available on his exchange (samknows), or we can do it for about £25 a month including line rental and limited tech support, plus £30 for a pre-programmed router if it's LLU - PM me with the phone number for details </advert>

I'd use Logmein instead of RDC because it's so simple. RDC has the problem of blanking his screen out when you're on it. VNC is good to, but with Logmein you don't need to know the IP address so there's no need for a static one or dydns. Seriously; Logmein Free is too good to be true - but I've been using it for years and it really is free and really does work!

We use the Tecra A11, which is essentially the machine JJW recommended, with a Dock Connector...

It is a good, solid machine, no frills, does what it says on the tin.

With Skype pre-installed and autobooting, it should be fine. De-install the McAfee and put MS Security Essentials on instead and it should be a good workhorse for his needs.

My mum ended up using Linux, because she found it easier to use and more friendly than Windows XP, so don't discount his tech ability, just because he is old. Take the time to install it and go through the basics with him and put some good general help sites in his favourites list and he should do well.

For remote access, I use GotoAssist Express, it isn't free, but it allows screen sharing and you can remote install software on the machine. It only requires him to click on a link in an e-mail or skype message (or go directly to the website and enter a code). It is similar to VNC or DameWare, but is great for quick installs, you can also get a day-pass, instead of setting up a monthly or annual contract. Skype also has screen sharing.

I'd use Skype or GTA over RDP, as you in-law can see what you are doing, so he might actually learn. It is also great, if you need to explain how a feature works, as opposed to doing maintenance.

Thanks for the advice and yes his eyesight is not great, spectacles like the bottom of a glass bottle.

I can actually try this out before I buy because we are going to bring him up for a visit, when we can try it out between two PCs here.

The last octagenarian I new who got a PC was my GF's grandma. We turned up one summer and she already had it and was busy emailing and surfing away. 85 she is.

Never too old.

On top of what's gone so far, the only thing I suggest is that they know the basics of online dos and don'ts and their firewall and antivirus looks after itself with no need for them to get involved.