If you give your Mom a Mac
And if she’s 78 years old and has never used a keyboard, she’ll ask “What do I do with this?” So she’ll need lessons. But then she’ll actually learn to use the darn thing, so the next thing you know you’ll find your email full of those Hallmark-like viral messages that 70-year-olds forward to each other — trust me they’re different than the stuff we all forward to each other — and you’ll have to read a few of them to show your appreciation but that will only be temporary because if the lessons are at the Apple store (just 99 bucks a year for a weekly private lesson) she’ll soon learn how to do other things, like organize the grandchildren’s photos in iPhoto. Of course she’ll then need a digital camera — add another couple of hundred to the thousand you already dished out — and a lesson or two on that thing but hey, it’s worth it to see your Mom getting all digital and everything because soon she’ll figure out the iChat feature and be able to video conference with the grandkids. Since they won’t always be that interested, she’ll explore other features. She’ll master Google and realize she can keep up with you even on those days you forget to call or email. Of course there is a risk she’ll find your Facebook page, decide to open an account and friend you, which could be a little troublesome because even if you aren’t posting pictures of yourself half dressed or partying do you really want your Mom commenting on your status? She might even show up on Twitter, too, and if your Mom were anything like my Mom she would probably RT everything you had to say or let everyone know how proud she was of you which could get just embarrassing enough that you might regret ever getting your Mom a Mac in the first place.
Then again, things could turn out the way they did for my Mom. She might be eternally grateful. Be stimulated and inspired by the new world she finds online. Connect with old friends she’d lost touch with. And become more connected to the outside world. Have you bought your Mom, or your Grandma, a Mac? What are you waiting for?
Comments
