Windows 8 Confuses And Baffles Elderly Dad

Windows 8 has been almost universally praised since the launch of the consumer preview. Numerous tech outlets have been praising its ease of use and the attractiveness of the Metro interface. YouTube ...
Windows 8 Confuses And Baffles Elderly Dad
Written by
  • Windows 8 has been almost universally praised since the launch of the consumer preview. Numerous tech outlets have been praising its ease of use and the attractiveness of the Metro interface.

    YouTube user lockergnome has proven that Windows 8 isn’t as fantastic as it’s cracked up to be. While the interface may come second nature to younger folks and those of us in the tech industry, it’s pretty daunting to the elderly who rely on computers more and more to keep in touch with their family.

    The video below features a father using Windows 8 for the first time. The guy filming it says it’s prove a point and the point is proven wonderfully. The elderly man is constantly at a loss of how to use Windows 8 once he gets to the more traditional Windows explorer view from the Metro interface.

    The lack of a start button seems to be the biggest complaint, but he is also at a loss as to how to even navigate the UI.

    The video’s most telling point is at the end when the man, utterly confused by what he had just been put though, asks his son, “They tryin’ to drive me to Mac?”

    While I want to defend Microsoft at any chance I can, I can’t defend them here. I know plenty of elderly people who use Windows as their primary operating system. If this is true for the majority of users, Windows 8 may be too confusing for them.

    I don’t want to single out the elderly here either. Windows 8 is great for technophiles, but it seems to not be that user friendly for those not familiar with the operating system. There’s something to be said in regards to learning the UI, but part of Windows 8 appeal is that it’s instantly familiar and easy to use.

    What do you think? Was this just a fluke? Or is this indicative of a larger problem for Windows 8? Let us know in the comments.

    Get the WebProNews newsletter delivered to your inbox

    Get the free daily newsletter read by decision makers

    Subscribe
    Advertise with Us

    Ready to get started?

    Get our media kit