How do I set up an easy-to-use email client for my grandmother?

Solution 1:

It sounds really silly, but Windows Live Mail is what you want!

Take a look at the following screen shot:

As you can see:

• There are no complicated list of menus (you can right click and make them appear easily though, if needed)
• There are big buttons at the top of each window with all the common actions on (in plain English, not icons you have to remember)
• There is no threading to cause additional confusion
• You can turn on or off the preview pane (depending on their preferences)
• There aren't too many features for them to worry about or get bogged down in.
• Searching for messages is quick, obvious and works well.

You can even define "quick views" which are filtered views of the current inbox, so for example if you grandmother wants to see all emails from Amazon, then you can set something up for her that shows only them easily. They are displayed on the main screen in a really clear way.

My parents (mid-60's) use it all the time and have no problems with it. In fact, they prefer it over the Gmail interface because it's simpler to use.

Download it from http://explore.live.com/windows-live-mail