OTP: WebTV or similar for Canada?

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Aim - 29 Dec 2007 04:27 GMT

All, I need some info and so far Google is being less than helpful.

my grandmother has had a horrible year - she's 89 and up until this year
has been in perfect health. Well in 2007 she had a bad fall, had to move
out of her house for 6 months after 2 huge trees fell on it, and now has
had a small stroke.

She's never used a computer, and we'd like to get her some form of email
to communicate. I know webtv (now msntv) is not available in Canada but
do any of you know of anything similar that would be available in BC?
Not a full computer, as it would confuse her, but just an email machine.

Suggestions? Ideas?

Aim

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Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. - 29 Dec 2007 04:45 GMT

I saw one advertised on tv, but I don't remember the name. But I can tell
you such a thing exists. Not much help... sorry.

Leslie

> All, I need some info and so far Google is being less than helpful.
>
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>
> Aim

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Kelly C. - 29 Dec 2007 06:36 GMT

Aim, I found this...https://www.mycelery.com/, which says it serves the US,
Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Kelly C.

> All, I need some info and so far Google is being less than helpful.
>
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>
> Aim

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Squirrely - 29 Dec 2007 18:13 GMT

Aim,

don't have any suggestions but wanted to let you know I will be praying for
your grandmother.

Signature

Love and Hugs to all
Jo the squirrely one
I am nuts about you.

> All, I need some info and so far Google is being less than helpful.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Aim

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Kelly - 29 Dec 2007 18:19 GMT

Hi Aim,
My father in law has been using a computer for several years now and despite
the early alzheimer/Parkinsons still manages email. We have some strategies
that we work with.

We keep the email (outlook) open at all times. The computer runs all the
time and the only thing he knows to turn off is the monitor. We have told
him that is the way that high speed internet works. He knows how to hit the
reply button and how to open emails although occasionally I suspect he
forgets again as he goes 2 weeks and doesn't do it. One of us then goes in
and "helps" read his emails. He is not great at replying but occasionally
sends jokes on when he gets them. He loves the jokes from the ASA group and
always asks where I get them (thanks Kate). The cute puppy dog ones he
sometimes shows my mother in law (92 - macular degeneration).

If we were not able to go in and occasionally help him we would ask for help
from a neighborhood teenager and pay them. I think he would enjoy that
social contact too. Fortunately though there is some family around as right
now that would confuse matters.

Just an idea. Computers are so cheap now and she wouldn't need a very
expensive one at all.

Kelly

> All, I need some info and so far Google is being less than helpful.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Aim

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Navy - 29 Dec 2007 22:00 GMT

Google for "email printer" and I think you will find what you are looking
for. Good luck and God bless.

Signature

Navy
Take out the FISH to email me.

> All, I need some info and so far Google is being less than helpful.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Aim

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Johnny1000@webtv.net - 31 Dec 2007 20:00 GMT

>I know webtv (now msntv) is not available in
> Canada but do any of you know of anything
> similar that would be available in BC?

Say what ?? I live in B.C., and I've been using my webtv since 1998 (I
think it came to Canada in the spring of that year).

The big problem is they quit manufacturing the units about 6 years ago;
however, there are still many available for purchase on the internet.
(I think you may be thinking of MSNTV2 -- the 2nd. generation for webtv.
..I know that unit initially wasn't available in Canada, but I'm not
sure now)

Personally, I love the webtv system. It can do basically everthing that
a computer can, except down-load. We webtvers still catch flack from
time to time from computer users, but my computer (purchased 7 years
ago), is sitting in the corner collecting cobwebs. These units are
great, especially for those who are not really that interested in
becoming computer savy. Plus, the format they use for reading and
posting to newsgroups, is far superior to anything I have seen available
for computers.. ...And further, the units are virus proof.

I've had to replace the keypad once, but considering the price (brand
new) for the whole webtv unit was only like 299 bucks. ...It has paid
for itself a zillion times over. ...Jon

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Aim - 31 Dec 2007 21:33 GMT

Jon,
Anything special needed? Or just the unit - Grandma has a tv that's
older then god, so I'm assuming that may not work.

THANK YOU for the info - I am so glad to hear that the research I did
was incorrect. I'll see what more I can find out.

>> I know webtv (now msntv) is not available in
>> Canada but do any of you know of anything
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>
>

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Johnny1000@webtv.net - 09 Jan 2008 19:57 GMT

>Jon,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> that the research I did was incorrect. I'll see
> what more I can find out.

Sorry I didn't get back to you. I just check in on this group every now
and again, and I forgot I had placed a posting here.

Anyways, in case you're still needing some information... Webtv has
their own dial in centres; however, if you're out in the sticks, like
myself, you will need an ISP (Internet service provider), unless you
want to pay long distance charges... But as a result of using an ISP,
webtv will cut their monthly rate in half (I think it's around 14
bucks), but you still have to pay your ISP for the time used-- based on
whatever plan you set up with them.

As for connecting up, you just need a TV (75 ohm plug-in) and a phone
line. The webtv unit sits on your TV like a DVD player, and you have a
wireless keypad, good to about 15 feet away. (Right now, I'm sitting on
my bed typing this, with my 60" TV displaying everything 10' in front of
me).

You have to get the ISP to program in his address and phone number
(takes about 2 minutes --and you can actually do this yourself ), along
with your ISP password. Then when you turn on the unit it will dial the
local number, and thus you have internet access. That's all there is to
it!!

Once on, the unit opens up at a home page, where you can access E-mail,
Discuss groups, storage for favourites, local news, instant messenger,
etc. ...But unlike a computer, you don't have to worry about viruses,
pop-ups or hunting through the drives to eliminate nuisance additions
that you never really wanted.

..It is an idiot proof system, and I think it would have taken off big
time when it first came out, had the management concentrated their
advertisements on what it can actually do, rather than pushing its use
as an interactive device with one's TV programs. ...Jon

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