Chrome OS Site

A couple of weeks ago Google launched a new initiative to try and educate all ‘tech dumb’ parents how to use computers (properly). They launched a new website called ‘Teach Parents Tech which they hope will spare you the time and effort of explaining to your grandmother how to turn on a computer (for the hundredth time).

By visiting the ‘Teach Parents Tech’ website you can select a number of ‘packages’ that you would like to email to your parents. Assuming your folks can open (or let alone have) an email address, they will be able to click through the various packages which will contain video tutorials such as:

• How to cut and paste
• How to take a screenshot
• how to open and email address
• How to share videos
• and many more….

In essence, this allows you to pick and choose the tutorials that you feel will be most beneficial based on the questions that your parents ask. And due to the fact that the tutorials are short videos, it means that they are enjoyable and informative to watch.

I went ahead and scrolled through all the reaction comments on YouTube regarding Google’s latest initiative. Some people seem to love the idea:

Thank you so much for this. My parents just got a computer again after not having one for several years and then they were on dial up.? Eventually they gave up on the computer and the internet. I am sure this will help. Sent a care package with just 7 video links to get them started.

And some just seem to hate it:

I’m a father and a grandparent who was born in the decade that brought you Eric Schmidt, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. And I make a pretty decent living as a software consultant. Our website, which I coded from scratch, includes the right level of social media integration. Am I the only one who finds this stuff patronizing and ageist??

Even so, this seems a worthy addition to Google’s ever intensifying push for everyone to go on the Internet. Google has also released tutorials and eBooks to more advanced users; the  ’20 Things I Learned‘ booklet is one such initiative that has become quite popular.

Chrome OS is a great example of how Google views the importance of web consumption on very simple and easy to use devices.

Try It out

If you would like to send a package of video tutorials to your parents, grandparents or anyone who you think needs help stepping into the 21st century, you can send one today by visit:

Teach Parents Tech