Electric Cars and Other Gadgets

Designers are awakening to the challenge, taking a host of approaches to making computers more accessible.

• In Europe, volunteer programmers have created a free Linux-based desktop interface called Eldy, which uses desktop icons to simplify emailing and other tasks. A U.S. version is currently in development.

Meanwhile, for-profit software packages like PointerWare ("Computers Made Simple") and BigScreenLive take over a PC user's desktop and present simple, colorful on-screen buttons for email, photos, Web surfing and other functions.

"Once BigScreenLive is running you are immersed in a world where you can't make mistakes," the company's website proclaims. "The only places you can click are within our software, and we make everything easy-to-use and safe."

• A Bay-area company called Presto takes a different approach. Dispensing with a computer screen, keyboard and mouse, the Presto Printing Mailbox consists of a modem-equipped HP printer attached to a phone line. It allows friends, relatives and caregivers to send emails and cards that print out automatically.

Says Jennifer Sherwood, the company's sales and marketing manager. "Ninety-five percent of the time it's a gift."