Paperwhite as a gift for non-computer-literate?

Alohamora · 12-21-2018, 01:11 AM

I was talking to an older lady who's an avid reader and she mentioned that she's had to switch to large print books. That got me thinking that she might like reading on a Kindle. But she's not computer savvy at all. She does manage to use an iphone, at least at a very basic level.

How hard is it to shop for books right on the paperwhite 4?

I'd buy her a paperwhite as a gift, but I don't see her often enough to be her tech support for buying/loading books. Her library might be able to help her use Overdrive.

I think there's still a laptop in the house, but she has to have her granddaughter help her when she wants to use it for family pictures on facebook.

Is getting her a paperwhite a bad idea?

HarryT · 12-21-2018, 02:40 AM

It's very easy indeed, particularly on a 3G Kindle. No computer equipment of any kind is required.

stuartjmz · 12-21-2018, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alohamora

I was talking to an older lady who's an avid reader and she mentioned that she's had to switch to large print books. That got me thinking that she might like reading on a Kindle. But she's not computer savvy at all. She does manage to use an iphone, at least at a very basic level.

How hard is it to shop for books right on the paperwhite 4?

I'd buy her a paperwhite as a gift, but I don't see her often enough to be her tech support for buying/loading books. Her library might be able to help her use Overdrive.

I think there's still a laptop in the house, but she has to have her granddaughter help her when she wants to use it for family pictures on facebook.

Is getting her a paperwhite a bad idea?

My Dad's 85, and I had tried to get him into using the Kindle app on his tablet, but that didn't work for him. So I gave him my Paperwhite (and bought myself a Kobo Clara

) and he loves it. It's so easy for him to use, and to browse. Admittedly, it's setup on our wifi, but still, if he can, anyone can

Quoth · 12-21-2018, 09:57 AM

I know an 88 year old that likes being able to read PW under the blankets.
If you have a laptop/PC (Best way to shop on Amazon), then there is easy to use www.gutenberg.org with 58,000+ out of copyright books (The 88 yo can manage that but often can't manage email). Also www.smashwords.com (treats authors better than Amazon) for buying and free titles. All legitimate.

I've loaned my (deregistered) Kindle DXG to someone in 70s with Macular Degeneration to see how they manage. He's not fussed on the Text to Speech (yet, and hopes he won't need that).

Alohamora · 12-21-2018, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartjmz

My Dad's 85, and I had tried to get him into using the Kindle app on his tablet, but that didn't work for him. So I gave him my Paperwhite (and bought myself a Kobo Clara

) and he loves it. It's so easy for him to use, and to browse. Admittedly, it's setup on our wifi, but still, if he can, anyone can

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's very easy indeed, particularly on a 3G Kindle. No computer equipment of any kind is required.

That's reassuring. 3G is probably the safest choice, although more expensive than I had in mind to spend. But I want to be sure she can use it.

Alohamora · 12-21-2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

I know an 88 year old that likes being able to read PW under the blankets.
If you have a laptop/PC (Best way to shop on Amazon), then there is easy to use www.gutenberg.org with 58,000+ out of copyright books (The 88 yo can manage that but often can't manage email). Also www.smashwords.com (treats authors better than Amazon) for buying and free titles. All legitimate.

I've loaned my (deregistered) Kindle DXG to someone in 70s with Macular Degeneration to see how they manage. He's not fussed on the Text to Speech (yet, and hopes he won't need that).

The ongoing cost of books isn't an issue, I'll be lucky if I can get her started with Amazon successfully. Maybe Overdrive if I go with her to the library once after she's comfortable with Amazon.

She's just not good enough with web stuff to throw additional web sites at her.

This doesn't need to be done by Christmas, so there's time to figure this out, but I do want to catch the sale price on the paperwhite.

barryem · 12-21-2018, 02:47 PM

I live in a retirement home in rural Arkansas where people have very little tech background. Most are afraid of smartphones and some are afraid of flip phones. But I've helped a number of them get started with ereaders and most have taken to them.

The key is to be available to help them buy books when they're ready. None have even been willing to try that. So when they want to get a book or two I help them with it. For simply reading the books none have had any problems.

I've started most of these people using Kindles and a few are using Kobos and a couple are using Nooks. I haven't found that brand has much to do with how well they learn to use them. I prefer Kindles so I push them but I've had a few Kobo's and Nooks donated and have used those. And when the Kobo Aura was dropped to $50 a few people bought those. Money is always an issue around here.

My suggestion is try it but be ready to provide some support when needed.

Barry

ilovejedd · 12-21-2018, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alohamora

She's just not good enough with web stuff to throw additional web sites at her.

This doesn't need to be done by Christmas, so there's time to figure this out, but I do want to catch the sale price on the paperwhite.

Yep. The sale prices are really good right now. Built-in cellular will be easiest for non-techies.

When I give my mom an iPad, I get her the LTE version (and I pay for the internet). I know everyone says to just get wifi and use personal hotspot on the phone but that's difficult for her, not to mention being a major battery drain.

Tarana · 12-21-2018, 06:51 PM

Mom is 84. Has trouble using the tablet, can't do email, but has no problems with the Paperwhite 1 other than she has trouble figuring out how to get back to a page when she presses the wrong thing. She is unable to figure out how to buy books. See if you can find her a tech savvy relative or other who can help her get books.

FizzyWater · 12-21-2018, 07:06 PM

My experience with an older friend is that if she knows of a books she wants (or happens to see it displayed as a featured book), she's good. But she gets frustrated trying to "browse" on the Kindle.

j.p.s · 12-21-2018, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

My experience with an older friend is that if she knows of a books she wants (or happens to see it displayed as a featured book), she's good. But she gets frustrated trying to "browse" on the Kindle.

Who doesn't?

ilovejedd · 12-21-2018, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Who doesn't?

Lol, yep. I'd browse and buy on either smartphone or iPad and just use Deliver to Kindle.

I honestly don't get why Amazon doesn't create a paged layout designed for the Kindle instead of one the requires a ton of scrolling.

BookCat · 12-21-2018, 09:22 PM

Do you know the type of books she likes? If so, load the Kindle with lots of public domain books of that type. Does she read romance, whodunnits, family sagas? Go on to sites, like this one and manybooks etc where books are listed according to genre.

Then when you are able to spend time with her, show her how to buy books from Amazon, or other sites. Does she have wifi? If not the 3G model might be better. Messing around with usb transfer could just be an annoyance.

The kindle is a great idea for the ability to change font size.

Barbara1955 · 12-21-2018, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's very easy indeed, particularly on a 3G Kindle. No computer equipment of any kind is required.

They still need a way to Register it. That takes Wifi.

I suggest when it comes you take her to McDonalds for a meal... they have Wifi.

BookCat · 12-21-2018, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara1955

They still need a way to Register it. That takes Wifi.

I suggest when it comes you take her to McDonalds for a meal... they have Wifi.

I used my kindle for four years before I registered it. But I was sideloading all the books.

12-21-2018, 01:11 AM	#1
Alohamora Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 8897438 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Device: Android phone, Fire tablet, ios phone	Paperwhite as a gift for non-computer-literate? I was talking to an older lady who's an avid reader and she mentioned that she's had to switch to large print books. That got me thinking that she might like reading on a Kindle. But she's not computer savvy at all. She does manage to use an iphone, at least at a very basic level. How hard is it to shop for books right on the paperwhite 4? I'd buy her a paperwhite as a gift, but I don't see her often enough to be her tech support for buying/loading books. Her library might be able to help her use Overdrive. I think there's still a laptop in the house, but she has to have her granddaughter help her when she wants to use it for family pictures on facebook. Is getting her a paperwhite a bad idea?

12-21-2018, 09:57 AM	#4
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,033 Karma: 105092227 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I know an 88 year old that likes being able to read PW under the blankets. If you have a laptop/PC (Best way to shop on Amazon), then there is easy to use www.gutenberg.org with 58,000+ out of copyright books (The 88 yo can manage that but often can't manage email). Also www.smashwords.com (treats authors better than Amazon) for buying and free titles. All legitimate. I've loaned my (deregistered) Kindle DXG to someone in 70s with Macular Degeneration to see how they manage. He's not fussed on the Text to Speech (yet, and hopes he won't need that). Last edited by Quoth; 12-21-2018 at 09:59 AM.

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12-21-2018, 02:40 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's very easy indeed, particularly on a 3G Kindle. No computer equipment of any kind is required.

12-21-2018, 02:47 PM	#7
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I live in a retirement home in rural Arkansas where people have very little tech background. Most are afraid of smartphones and some are afraid of flip phones. But I've helped a number of them get started with ereaders and most have taken to them. The key is to be available to help them buy books when they're ready. None have even been willing to try that. So when they want to get a book or two I help them with it. For simply reading the books none have had any problems. I've started most of these people using Kindles and a few are using Kobos and a couple are using Nooks. I haven't found that brand has much to do with how well they learn to use them. I prefer Kindles so I push them but I've had a few Kobo's and Nooks donated and have used those. And when the Kobo Aura was dropped to $50 a few people bought those. Money is always an issue around here. My suggestion is try it but be ready to provide some support when needed. Barry

12-21-2018, 06:51 PM	#9
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,038 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	Mom is 84. Has trouble using the tablet, can't do email, but has no problems with the Paperwhite 1 other than she has trouble figuring out how to get back to a page when she presses the wrong thing. She is unable to figure out how to buy books. See if you can find her a tech savvy relative or other who can help her get books.

12-21-2018, 07:06 PM	#10
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	My experience with an older friend is that if she knows of a books she wants (or happens to see it displayed as a featured book), she's good. But she gets frustrated trying to "browse" on the Kindle.

12-21-2018, 09:22 PM	#13
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Do you know the type of books she likes? If so, load the Kindle with lots of public domain books of that type. Does she read romance, whodunnits, family sagas? Go on to sites, like this one and manybooks etc where books are listed according to genre. Then when you are able to spend time with her, show her how to buy books from Amazon, or other sites. Does she have wifi? If not the 3G model might be better. Messing around with usb transfer could just be an annoyance. The kindle is a great idea for the ability to change font size.

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