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NICHOLAS
Negroponte, director of MIT's Media Lab's, once predicted
that the initial population of the Internet would be under
the age of 20, and above age 50.
He may
be right after all -- in the United States, numerous websites
have been set up to cater to senior citizens.
Sites
like SeniorNet offer members online computer classes, as well
as discounts on software and computer related products.
The growing
``silver surfer'' population has also prompted big companies
like IBM, Bell Atlantic, Intel and Microsoft to kick off volunteer
programmes to help senior folk learn to use computer technologies.
These programmes generally also include discount rates for
the purchase of computer hardware and software.
SeniorNet
grew out of a research project funded by the Markle Foundation
to determine if computers and telecommunications could enhance
the lives of older adults.
It was
formally set up in San Francisco in 1986 with a mission to
provide education and access to computer technology for senior
citizens. The aim is to enhance their lives and enable them
to share their knowledge and wisdom.
The nonprofit
organisation teaches adults above 50 to use computers and
the Internet via more than 140 learning centres across the
United States.
It has
taught over 100,000 people to use computers and the Internet,
the organisation says. It has a global membership of 30,000
and two thriving online communities.
The website
(www.seniornet.org) also won the 1999 Webby Awards in the
community category and was voted one of 100 best sites by
PC World.
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