That's the whole point, not too many 86 y.o. are going to be able to handle the tech demands of a computer. Browsing the internet is no great thing anyway, unless you have a specific goal. I worked in a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) for 3 years, so I speak from not only personal, but professional experience. My father, an engineer (from Northeastern, not MIT), wanted to learn how to use a computer very much, and we tried setting him up several times, but even in his early 80's it was just too much for him. He had all his faculties up until his death at 91, it was just something that didn't make sense to him in some basic way, and he never could use one. For most elderly moms/dads or grandmothers/grandfathers who have never used a computer before, this would be ideal. All they really want to do is read letters and see family pictures. Since few of us send snail mail any more, this would allow them to stay in touch with children and grandchildren who are computer literate (that's us!) My kids would have loved to stay in touch with their grandfather with something like this, and I think he would have liked it too, having something in his hand to read and read again. He would have been able to carry them around the CCRC and show them to his friends, especially the pictures. I have coworkers, much younger than me, who, despite many attempts, still can't figure out how to reply to email, much less send one, and they use a computer every day. Think about how daunting it can be to learn some new technology, and imagine if you are 86 years old and trying to do it.

Hi Nanny - vintage '98, I've sometimes started that idea by saying that one can't just snap one's fingers and hold one's cupped hand in the air, expecting to have a "peach" appear in it, as if by magic. And no more can we expect peace to appear, more or less by magic, out of thin air, effortlessly, either. Peace is costly ... not cheap. And it's a long-term creation: doesn't happen overnight. You'e welcome to use that picture-message in any way that you choose ... and I hope that it may stick in the minds of some of the folks who hear it and bear some fruit. It's warm around here, these days ... some of the young ladies were going around bare-legged last week (mostly in the vicinity of the community centre, where they do a lot of hockey and other physical exercises). I was thinking that I was not at all envious of them, clad like that, when it was chilly outside. ole joyful

I can't help you with any info about monitors and Lyme Disease but I've been a computer professional for 40 years. I'm certainly picky about being able to see what I'm doing since I'm clearly not young and spend 60-70 hours a week working on monitors. My first monitors were printers with keyboards attached as the punch cards were just going away. Consumer monitors like the ones you bought are pretty much made for consumer activities such as watching movies and viewing pictures. They are part TV and part computer monitor. I don't know how people stand them for serious work on text, particularly with black text on a white background. Actual televisions hooked up to a computer are great for a group of people looking a pictures from your travels but are just horrible for this type of work. Over the years, I've frequently needed a monitor on a weekend where the only choices were Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Basically nothing they have is acceptable for serious use. I'd suggest you contact someone that deals with real computer systems and have them setup something for you to look at. My personal opinion of Viewsonic was good about the time that CRT were the norm and was impressed with some of their early LCDs. My opinion of the company is poor for at least 10 years. Another problem I see with consumer monitors is the short height, for example 1920x1080 resolution in a 27" vs 1920x1200 in a business 24". When I work seriously on a long document with lots of reorganization and edits, I use a 1920x1200 24" turned portrait. I am sure you would love everything about this one except the price: http://www.necdisplay.com/p/desktop-monitors/p242w-bk The next step down may meet your needs: http://www.necdisplay.com/p/desktop-monitors/ea244wmi-bk I've never seen that one but have the 30" version. It's a big step down from the P series but still fabulous compared to the one you are using. On my desk, I have a P241, P301, E305, and a Eizo 27" square monitor 1920x1920. I wouldn't buy anything without trying it first!

I understand. It is one of the reasons I opened an Instagram account that was strictly about the house. I posted one time about it (in my stories) on my personal account and told people if they'd like to follow, then click on the post, & no worries if they didn't want to. Some followed, some didn't. &, I was okay with that! I didn't want to post progress on my personal account and feel like I was either boring them all to death, OR to make them feel like I was rubbing it in their faces (so to speak). It's a hard road to walk because you're not exactly sure what is, and isn't, too much when talking about the house. I rarely bring it up to anyone at all, except for with my parents. Sometimes with my sister-in-law, but they are wealthier than us so I know that part isn't ever the issue, but I still don't want to bore her with details she likely doesn't care about. If someone brings it up to me, I'll discuss it, but I limit the details I give. I'm a very private person in general so this hasn't bothered me as much as maybe it does to some. I usually just discuss it with my husband as needed (specifically when I need to vent about someone not showing up to do their job! lol) or when something isn't working out in my head like I planned for it. However, I'm the "detail geek" in our house, and even he doesn't always care, as long as it gets done & looks nice. lol! Maybe that's a guy for you in some cases. Who knows. I just know that I'm sooo looking forward to being done & in the house! I remind myself daily to have patience.