ok, several points to address. first of all, thank you for another excellent point tepid, not only is the newer op sys's much better and easier to use, but they are much more secure. and i agree that these same people who are too lazy to learn, are the same ones who complain about the security of the op sys, and all the other problems of the old op sys's.
next, about being offensive.. it isn't about be offensive or unoffensive, it is about what is the truth. and the truth is that silver surfer's can learn just like anyone else can. i have spent quite a bit of time teaching elder persons about the computer, metiphorically using a library, and all of its parts as an example. and guess what, they are now using vista fairly well. ANYBODY CAN LEARN, ANYBODY!!!!!! i will never worried about offending person's who are too lazy to do the common things that we need to do, to live a decent life. there is no excuse for not learning something as basic as using a computer. there are a million books, magazines and tutorials available today. so why make excuses for the lazy? because that is what it boils down to, pure laziness. these same people use every other technological advance in their lives, why wouldn't they use this one, and evolve as it does. i bet they have learned how to use a modern washing machine, instead of using a rock...
it doesn't matter if someone is interested in how somethings work or not, they still move forward with the technology, in every other aspect of life, so why should computers be any different? finally, if they learned how to use xp, they can learn how to use vista or 7. i mean it's not like they are using a commodore 64 or 128. so they obviously have moved forward. you said that they just want to use email, or chat... why aren't they using regular snail mail? because they have at least in some small way, embraced new technology, and learned how to use email.