Going through my feeds and saw this post from LibrarianInBlack, Are senior web users really that different?
This post triggered the memory of two conversation I had with two different "senior" patrons in this last week (senior in quotes because I'm bad with ages, but they were older). Both were talking to me about their mp3 players and using downloadable audio books. Our older patrons are the ones that have been using this service...most have specifically gone to the store, information in hand, to purchase an mp3 player for this service. I recall a humorous conversation where the woman's husband bought her an iPod and I said, "oh no you can't use those!" and she said, "I know I told him that, I made him take it back."
Why do we stereotype all seniors as clueless web and tech users? I would say that my grandfather has been on the computer for about 5 years now...he absolutely loves digital photography! My mom hated computers for most of my life (because my dad and I were probably always on them I suppose), but now that she has a computer with a decent connection she's warmed up to all she can do on it. Sure it may be games and going online to check email but what more do some people need?
I actually think that us younger people actually scare some older people into thinking they can't do things on the computer. I don't think it's intentional either. I can't see my grandfather going online and doing MySpace or YouTube but he uses the computer for his things...and that's ok. I believe you can teach an old dog new tricks, that is if that old dog wants to learn.
