An Email-centric operating System

Caswynben

What I want to do is build a computer for my grandma to email me. I have old PCs I can use, and I have it built physically, now I just need an operating system. What I need it to do is boot up with a friendly picture, and log in automatically. It should start up a full screen email program, which can't be changed. Basically, it would just be an email terminal, with a simple interface. Does something like this exist, or am I going to be writing it myself?

Ruckus

Pretty much any operating system can be told to AutoLogon start a program on boot.

There's like 10 different ways to do it on Windows XP alone.

Tell us what you want to use (hardware and software) and we can probably help you out.

Caswynben

It's just an old PC, a little more than a gigahert processor, and 256 megs of ram. Software-wise, it doesn't matter. I have Gentoo on there now, because I was hoping there was a slick Linux solution for this, but I can't find one. It had XP on it, so I can reinstall that if I have to.

Ruckus

I'd say just install windows XP, configure it to skip the login/welcome screen, and set it to launch her outlook express or Outlook or whatever you want to use (heck, you could even make and http shortcut to webmail for her).

I'd also recommend installing Remote access software (like UltraVNC) and also a bevvy of scripts for forcing reboots etc, and stick them in a folder in the start menu.

Also, disable all the system tray icons/start menu items shit that XP tries to pull. It just confuses old people.

Underdog

Ruckus wrote:

I'd say just install windows XP, configure it to skip the login/welcome screen, and set it to launch her outlook express or Outlook or whatever you want to use (heck, you could even make and http shortcut to webmail for her).

I'd also recommend installing Remote access software (like UltraVNC) and also a bevvy of scripts for forcing reboots etc, and stick them in a folder in the start menu.

Also, disable all the system tray icons/start menu items shit that XP tries to pull. It just confuses old people.

I think one of the concerns is how to make the email program the only one that will run on the computer. Say Caswyn's grandma accidentally closes the email window and doesn't know how to get it back without rebooting the machine. I have no idea myself, I'm just pointing out things in the OP.

MengerSponge

You might want to try some version of Linux (Ubuntu?), just because you can tweak the UI to an insane degree, and eliminate as many extraneous/confusing pieces as possible. Also, no need for virus scanners, etc. (which would probably be rare if she's just using email from people she knows, but you can never be sure).

I don't know enough about Linux to set it up as you want it, with one app loading automatically and other stuff disabled/hidden, but I'm sure it can be done. Might be a little more difficult than using XP, especially if you're not familiar with the system, but the end result would probably be cleaner.