I took the computer to them yesterday. I stressed on whether they would accept it or not. They refused to have a microwave oven for a long time, and I did get them to accept an answering machine for their 50th wedding anniversery. I was surprised to find they were very excited about the computer and couldn't wait to hook it up. They are already talking about a printer and maybe a scanner. I know already I got them too small of a system for all the ideas that were flying.

My question is: What would you recommend for software for an 84 year old retired sign painter? The system is old, it has Windows 95 and only about 32 meg of memory. It does have a CD Rom, but I'm not sure what else. (I'm not that great with computers). I showed him the Paint program that comes with Windows, and have them both playing Solitaire to get use to using the mouse. I will probably have to have the system updated more, or trade up shortly. I never thought the ideas would be flying like they were to move past emailing relatives and start playing with things like scanning photos and touching them up. I would have bought them something sooner(and bigger) if I had know they would be so excited about it.

Do you know of any programs that would be good for a beginner along the artistic line? I know most graphics programs can take up a lot of memory so I don't know what to do.

Once I get them up and running, I will put the Letterhead Bullboard on there list of favorite sites to visit. I think this bullboard will be one of his funnest places to visit while surfing the web.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I would suggest one of the lower end Broderbund programs like print shop. You can do a minimal load without installing graphics and they can use the cd to bring up the graphics.

As far as upgrading...YEP they will probably be after a faster machine quickly. Dad is now on his 3rd system in 5 years and it is faster than mine!!!

On word of caution though..Be prepared to help them out of problems with the computer. If they are anything like dad they will be surfing all over the internet and will probably download and install every "free" program that they find interesting....soon screwing up the registry so bad that you'll have to format the hard drive every six mopnths or so!!!!!!!! LOL

I am anxious to get more software installed. I heard something about one early version of Corel Draw that had a lot of bugs in it. Maybe Corel 5. I am going to look for Corel 6 and the Print Shop that Cathy mentioned. Joey, is that a screen magnifier you mentioned? That would be a good idea.

I know there is a CD out there at Wal Mart with-A Million Food Recipes- on it. I will get one of those for Max's wife. At 80 you have cooked a lot of meals and I see she has been trying new recipes out of magazines lately.

We are suppose to be putting money into the economy right? I guess this project will get me spending on fun stuff.

Thanks again for the advice.

Windows 95 has Accessability options, that give you larger fonts and things like that for people who might not see so well, Also I was thinking if they have children and grandchildren a good family tree program would be great, that way they can use a scanner and build a nice family tree.

"A signs" is a merchant on this site, they sell sign tool add-ons for Corel, they also sell older version of Corel draw for cheap money.

If he is an old sign painter, he's going to want to add shadows and things.

I had Corel 5 and I had no problems with it but I really loved Corel 7, in my opinion from a sign painters point of view Corel 7 was when Corel thought past the desktop publisher and thought more like a sign maker.