Macs For New Users

The idea of "get the grandparents a computer" started in about 1995 when we bought a new Performa 5215CD and decided to let my grandparents try out our old Plus. Neither of them knew how to use it, so it just sat there.

Later on, in about 1996, my dad got rid of the computers in his business. There was an LC III and a IIfx. The LC III was given to my mom to replace the Plus. Unfortunately, while my dad and I were bringing it home, the hard drive died, so the computer refused to start up.

The IIfx went to my grandparents house. There it sat for over a year until we found a table to set it up on. Finally, we were able to test it out. Instead of starting up normally with a happy Mac, were faced with a gray screen with the words "Radius" at the bottom. (the people who made the video card and the monitor). I didn't realize until much later that the PRAM had been reset somehow, the video card had been reset to factory standards, and that monitor was not set up for that card anymore (that was after replacing the motherboard and the video card - in the process the hard drive died as well).

About a year after that, we were looking in the local thrift shop and there was a complete Mac system - a Performa 400 with 14" colour monitor, keyboard, mouse, mousepad, and software installed on the hard drive. Perfect for my grandparents, I thought, and we picked it up for $100 (which, back then, I didn't think was overpriced, since it looked like it was hardly ever used).

At that time, my main computer, a G3 Desktop was being serviced, so I used the Performa myself for a while. I installed System 7.5.3 and upgraded the RAM to 10 MB. It ran pretty well. Then I set it up at my grandparents house.

They didn't know how to use that one any more than they knew how to use the Plus, so it sat there for two years. I finally went up to show my grandma how to use the computer, but it wouldn't start up. I tried starting from disks - the hard drive appeared dead. Then I thought of something - I opened it up and hit the hard drive with the side of my hand. I put it back together, turned it on, and sure enough, the happy Mac.

I realized the hard drive was almost dead. My grandparents needed something newer with a CD-ROM anyway. I decided to look to the LEM lists.

Pretty soon, I came upon a Performa 636 (Quadra 630 w/o FPU). I bought that for a small fraction of what I had paid for the 400, installed some software on it, and set it up for my grandparents. I started to teach my grandma what you can do on the computer - after she caught on with the mouse, menus, and icons, she could turn the computer on and off. I showed her Grolier Encyclopedia, Typing Tutor, and SimpleText.

I also showed her a little freeware Cribbage game made in 1987. That got her. Now she uses the computer several times a week.

It's not too hard to figure out what type of computer to set up for someone who has never used a computer before. Almost anything will get them started - a II, an LC, even an old SE will work. Install some programs that are easy to use and will do the things that many people do on the computer these days. If you plan to use the internet, get something with a 20 MHz 68030 processor or faster - a IIsi or better.

For system software, it depends on what type of computer you are using. If you have something with a 68000 processor and 4 MB of RAM, use System 7.1. If you have a 16 MHz 68020 or '030 processor and at least 8 MB of RAM, use System 7.1 or 7.5. If you have something in the 20 MHz '030 range, use 7.5 if you have 8 MB, 7.6.1 if you have 12 or more. OS 8.1 works great on any '040 or 'LC040 Mac with at least 16 MB of RAM.

Look for old application software at garage sales, thrift shops, and even on company websites. Some give older versions away now, and those that don't are really losing potential for business. (Imagine - a first time user tries out ClarisWorks 3 on a Mac LC and loves it. Later on they buy a newer computer and decide to purchase AppleWorks 6.) Anyway, try to find a copy of ClarisWorks version 2 or higher. That will take care of drawing, painting, word processing, and spreadsheets. It is much easier to use than Microsoft Office.

Definitely show a new user the multimedia capabilities. Grolier's Encyclopedia is a great way to do that. It will show them a few of the different things a computer can do - plus they can find information about almost anything that they might be interested in - all with the click of a mouse.

For Internet access for a first time user, I recommend AOL. Yes, AOL. I know many of you will cringe at this thought, but think about it. AOL has a great, easy to use, friendly interface, built in help, and even a guy telling you when you have email. AOL doesn't cost more than most other providers, and they still support older versions of the software. You can run AOL version 3.0 on a Mac IIsi, and they will be glad to help you with any problems related to AOL. Once the user gains more experience, they can move on to an ISP which sells direct Internet access.

It's not hard to teach someone how to use the computer. They really enjoy it, once they get into it. The computer can be intimidating for first time users, but if you install some applications and show them how much fun it can be, they will forget their fear and start using it!