Category for elders and disadvantaged?

Lounge
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This post was added as postscript to this recent discussion but was hived off as OT.. Understandably since it is not related entirely to the OT task on migrating PhotoShop (Adobe Windows workflow) into Ubuntu workflow.

I added this postscript (brain dump) on reflection.

Here I go again, I will probably be flagged (or is it flogged?) for going OT. Two strikes so far. Oh well.

If I might use this discussion thread to further voice my view.

This discussion is in the Lounge … because there is no allocated tag for elder and disadvantaged community questions. Age is ducked. Accessibility is ducked. Other disadvantages are ducked.

Books do not work well for me having had one cataract operation in recent months. Only via the desktop screen - less on mobile - can we bring in aids for learning and sorting chaos into order.

Shortcuts through the jungle of CLI commands. And the jungle of apps and now AI Agents (a cage of beasts that I now explore to tame).

Idea: There should be a Ubuntu forum vertical category which elders are comfortable to enter and use. “Elders” or “Senior Users” not just “Lounge” free for all. To ask vague questions. For triage by the community more understanding bloods. Perhaps caring for family members.

I have learned some ropes of workflows (Windows+Ubuntu) avoiding in depth understanding of CLI scriptland.

Let us develop a mentoring approach perhaps using moodle.org or similar for elearning threads and modules for elders. Particularly in fields such as health research.

In the initiating discussion thread (by a self categorised elder) managing media assets such as photos from Windows to Ubuntu.

Sometimes referring to old archives can trigger old memories, for example, in supporting dementia cases. Stimulation by images rather than “cliland” (scripts)

End of my brain dump. At a time when I share Ubuntu R&D with elder caring duties. From challenging AI to challenging doctors. All in Ubuntu.

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You won’t be flogged for opinions and ideas in the Lounge.
(Exception: Opinions that disparage others violate the Code of Conduct. No name-calling.)

Looks to my eyes like you are seeking a “nicer” form of Ubuntu Discourse support.
I think most of us would completely agree with that goal.
Volunteers here don’t intend to be brusque.

A bit of context:

  • Many of the help volunteers and moderators here are also seniors.
  • There used to be an Ubuntu Accessibility Team to discuss and coordinate accessibility efforts. Most of those efforts have moved upstream to the desktop development projects (like Gnome). There could be an Ubuntu Accessibility Team again, if enough community members wish to participate.
  • We have discussed disadvantages privately at length. Particularly language disadvantage when using Ubuntu Discourse, which is mostly in English. There are some good ideas, but few volunteer hands to do the work.
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Count me in as one volunteer to contribute. A bit late tonight but I can dream up some themes ahead. I thought of the “Old Codgers’ Club”. Term: “Codger” goes back to circa 1700 apparently. Language disadvantage can be through bespoke AI Agents. I am in fact “coaching” one and more to drive the Ubuntu UI, for example. Teslar car style. Can be in different natural and structured languages. Google A2A style but better, XML rather than JSON. So structured questions in different languages is quite feasible. I have proven that. Might knock together a proof of concept (in between caring duties - another health theme - challenging doctors) . CLI can be equivalent to “Klingon” language at times. Hence leveraging tools and workflows. “Elder and disadvantaged elearning templates” can be conceived linked to zerotrust framework when dealing with sensitive personal data. Example: protecting against rise of bad actors. Easier and safer access to services from home base.

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I do not understand what you are attempting to communicate. Sorry.

I cannot determine which of those anecdotes is your main point or goal, and which are tangential or supporting.

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I will have to translate and prioritise (in my mindmap) these “visual metaphors” later to map to real life Ubuntu scenarios. I am busy today. But since there is much archived data in old ubuntuforums relating to ancient equipment this here (seen today 09.20 GMT - as I tried to popup an example of searching old archives) is just another road block.

image

Be patient. More expansion on ideas will follow. They are not all daft.

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I think there needs to be a ‘separate category’ for ‘disadvantaged’ as it is well known that Ubuntu (desktop) doesn’t work in poor deprived areas, to be honest…

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Well understood and accepted. How to bridge the gap between exotic discussions on Ubuntu scripting without abandoning needs of “outlier” groups such as elders and handicapped/ disadvantaged from different environments. I have in my humble brewing mindmap visualising these “ubuntu vectors”. A constellation for both elders/disadvantaged and young bloods (mentors) if they join in and do not “flag” elders; free discussions. A buddy bench.

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I didn’t understand a word, of that.

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Fair enough. Language and visual mindmaps (thoughts, ideas) might be easier to convey. You do remenber buddy benches at school where ideas can be discussed? Perhaps not. So one time portal for elders/disadvantaged/broke/vulnerable?

Exanple of one thread (of many citations to follow).

Digtal Poverity Alliance

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Blockquote

That’s not an Isle of Man organisation, pal …

its useless to us.

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Always willing to “align vectors” as Elon Musk would say. I am not a fan but vectors runs through my thinking. Magnitude and Direction.

Here is one local initiative. Just needs a bit of “search nouse” and relation to user needs. Context vectors. It might equally be in South Africa. Or other “vectors”. A constellation of such resources matched to local elder/disadvantaged user needs. Building bridges.

https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/cabinet-office/digital-inclusion/

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That’s just a policy group.

It’s not a charity and has nothing to-do with getting Ubuntu (desktop) into deprived areas.

Basically they don’t use Ubuntu (desktop).

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I guess we’re all getting older.

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We are indeed. “The moving finger moves on … nor all your piety or wit”.

https://www.langshott.org/the-moving-finger-writes-omar-khayyams-quatrain-and-the-fabric-of-life/

Can you please expand on your local issues in Isle of Man? What deprived areas are we attempting to discuss in (first clue) Isle of Man. Or other such “vector” in the context of elderly/disadvantaged. I write as an engineer in engineering jargon. Started as Rolls-Royce engineer 1955-1960. More clues needed to test this disadvantaged sector who don’t use Ubuntu. Help me understand. Which deprived areas are we discussing?

Some “Toe in water” basic Google research …
The most deprived areas on the Isle of Man, in terms of income, are postcode areas within Douglas, Ramsey, and Castletown, particularly those with local authority housing. These areas are characterized by higher rates of emergency hospital admissions and mental health problems, highlighting the need for targeted support, according to the Isle of Man Government’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

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The government has no handle on the situation and are deeply mis-trusted by the needy.

Who are the deprived, you ask?

It’s the forgotten but I suppose you have to bend down low to their needs.
It’s the people who have nothing in their bank account, use foodbanks & earn £5K a year off benefits. That’s who.

Can I ask: have you seen Daniel Blake 1, 2, 3 today?

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Point well taken, I have been there, believe me. Not experiencing indignity of foodbanks but losing family home in 1990’s crash. Ups and downs in life’s game. Currently battling with “high places” of medical opinions in home care.

So where does Ubuntu figure in this grand picture?

I envisage community hubs (local ubuntu volunteers) where elderly and disadvantaged can turn to for help. Better than worn out Citizens Advice Bureau, What benefits can I apply for? How can I write to get a job? UK advisers are poorly equipped. It is a numbers game. They (often U.S. behemoths) get paid by DWP on what “advice” they give to DWP “clients”. I know the game

Therefore if you are in the midst of such a community create a Ubuntu based hub to help the community on researching social matters. Housing benefits, work, education, medical.

I am harnessing AI agents to “drive” Ubuntu in different social themes.

Are you game to be a local catalyst - Ubuntu equipped?

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You could call me an activist, I suppose we all are.

Most people aren’t getting the links to the political side of things,thou?

Perhaps you could share some?

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Politics is another “vector”. Buzz your local MP like hell. He/she is just protecting ass. He/she is your portal into change. Arm Ubuntu platform with missiles firing into the Houses.

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I believe that politics is where it is at… but “the links” … do you know “the links”?

I set up 5rings recently to deal with Madmax drivers. It’s going to go to debate, this coming Tuesday.

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Sure … I will gladly research them for you. Give me some time since I have other parallel research in health battles with those in high places. Again I use Ubuntu platform to test status quo. Had a quick look at your link and my interest is analysing government failures. Forensically analyse these reports using corpus linguistics tools … on Ubuntu.

Taking five minutes to read … as usual too much text. Present as “avoiding failure in managing road speed”. I have countless examples of government project failures. A science on its own - stemming from human failure. “Lessons will be learned”. Take a leaf out of engineering principles of safety. Use visual impact rather than words. Back to Ubuntu. Write in quarto.

Postscript before turning in for night. I use multiple AI Agents for searching. Phind.com gives this …

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Isle_of_Man_TT_Mountain_Course_fatalities