Need an extremely simple Email program

[Petef56]

I have an elderly person that is not able to handle anything complex or anything that changes from day to day. Even Yahoo Email and Outlook Express are too difficult for this person to operate. I need an Email program that is as simple as possible and never changes so that I can write a procedure for him and it will always be the same. It can be POP or Web-based for Win XP.

---pete---

[Force Flow]

Best Email Client For Seniors

simple webmail for elderly - Google Search

Some possibilities there?

[Petef56]

Originally Posted by Force Flow Best Email Client For Seniors simple webmail for elderly - Google Search Some possibilities there?

From the links above.. FOXMAIL (a simple Email client???)

See screenshot #2 and look at all the options that can be clicked on.
There are over 40 things that can be clicked on. That's way too complex.
Foxmail Screenshots, screen capture - Softpedia

I'm not that familiar with Thunderbird, but I'm thinking it (or some other Email client) might be customizable where I can shut off most of the features, leaving only the most essential ones.

---pete---

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by Petef56 I'm not that familiar with Thunderbird, but I'm thinking it (or some other Email client) might be customizable where I can shut off most of the features, leaving only the most essential ones.

Out of the box, thunderbird is more complex than OE. Though like you say, yes, you could probably hide a number of the buttons in the UI.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Febooti

[Strider]

My father is 84 and uses Thunderbird, but what I am trying to get at is whatever email software you use. Just set it up for him and explain the software a couple of times how to use it, create short cut, and explain to him never to open any email attachments. That is what I did with my father and so far it has worked, the only problem I have is when he gets a bit ornery and wants to change his email address every year so he doesn't get spam mail.

[Petef56]

I found a solution...

http://www.htworkshop.com/public/wes...screenshot.JPG

That's Webmail by Westhost. It's Web-based Email. It has such a simple user interface and it never changes. It will enable me to write some simple procedures that an elderly person can follow. It's perfect. Sometimes less is best.

I've come to the conclusion that there are no Email client apps that you can install to your home computer to be used for a POP Email account that are as simple as this WebMail program.

CONS: Anyone else looking for a similar solution will not be able to use WebMail unless they have a domain at WestHost webhosting service.

---pete---

[trulad]

I'm 81 years old(a cybergeezer) and I use Incredimail. Best free one I've found yet. Very easy to use.

[Nuclear Krusader]

I'd advise to stay away from Incredimail. It's cute and attractive, but it's loaded with 'freebies' and tends to bog down the system. Also, you cannot export to other mail formats, should you wish to discontinue its use.

[quartet-man]

A member of my church had some sort of printer or fax that printed out emails sent without the use of a computer (from what I could tell). He was in his 80's if not 90's and had problems changing the printer cartridge, thus he called me. I didn't know such a thing existed.

[jdeb]

pawpaw mail is a good one if the silver surfer is using windows but it is not free. Eldy is similar but not sure it is free. All my silver surfer friends are using Linux.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Febooti

That's just cruel.

[Petef56]

Originally Posted by jdeb pawpaw mail is a good one if the silver surfer is using windows but it is not free. Eldy is similar but not sure it is free. All my silver surfer friends are using Linux.

Those are interesting alternatives, thanks. Unfortunately, Pawpaw priced themselves out of the market at $8 per month. Most seniors I work with are very cost conscious due to limited income.

These 2 programs (Pawpaw and Eldy) seem to have gone too much in the direction of a custom user interface that is unlike the typical "Windows" Email program. All that's really needed is the standard Email app user interface with less options, eliminating the ones that most seniors never use....and something that never needs an update or changes in any way.

I'll see how it goes using Westhost's Webmail.
Thanks again for the suggestions.

---pete---