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| Thread ID: 83973 | 2007-10-19 21:55:00 | Refurbishing computers - Linux | music_man (5482) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 603090 | 2007-10-19 21:55:00 | I saw this article about a guy in the states getting old computers, loading them with Ubuntu and giving them away. A couple of friends and I are interested in doing something similar in NZ. We are stuck on how to start though: 1) Location One my my friends has a spare room... 2) Advertising How do we get people interested The rest of the operation we have discussed. Ideally it would be The computer arrives and we check if it works. If so, we run erasing software on it and write a specs sheet to see what parts it has. We enter that into a database. If it is good enough for Ubuntu then we install it and run some tests to see if it works ok. I like how PuppyLinux has a help chatroom when you run it, perhaps it could come preloaded with a link to an irc room. Each computer will have its own profile and when we deliver the PC it will come with a guide and its specs sheet. If we get a computer that is not powerful enough or is broken but with parts usable, then we divide those up into areas such as RAM, CPU etc. When we are constructing a computer, we put the profile online and say we need certain parts to make the computer whole. e.g. Computer xxxxx needs 256Mb (x type) Ram, x Video card Your thoughts? |
music_man (5482) | ||
| 603091 | 2007-10-19 22:43:00 | Sounds similar to what The Ark (http://www.the-ark.co.nz/) does. If you still think theres room in the market for your service after considering what the Ark offers then the easiest option would be to start small and work your way up. Perhaps build a simple website where people can donate parts or request a system, advertise in local papers etc and let communities such as this know you exist. I'm sure if you were genuine quite a few people here would have spare parts or even PC's they'd be willing to donate. | Pete O'Neil (6584) | ||
| 603092 | 2007-10-19 22:53:00 | Refurbishing computers - Linux The Ark is a bit Windows centric. Also, there is a wee difference between "giving them away" and Ark's scheme. :2cents: |
R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 603093 | 2007-10-20 01:24:00 | Have you heard about one laptop per child project? | jessicaroy (12943) | ||
| 603094 | 2007-10-20 02:53:00 | Have you heard about one laptop per child project? Waste of time and too expensive. This scheme could actually work. |
beeswax34 (63) | ||
| 603095 | 2007-10-20 02:59:00 | Just an idea...run aida32 on the unit if it fires up and see what you have...saves a lot of reading FCC equiv numbers and trying to decipher the MOBO and such by eyeball. Keep the printout for later reference. |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 603096 | 2007-10-20 06:40:00 | You would be best talking to charity and welfare agencies who deal with people who cannot otherwise afford computers. They would probably be the best channel through which to donate the machines. You should also keep in mind the cost of internet access. Dial-up is probably still out of range of many of those you intend donating the machines to. Updating Ubuntu via dial-up is not practicable, but you could mitigate this by passing out update CDs etc. I had researched doing the same thing here where I live. I was even considering teaching them how to build machines, install and configure their own machines, and a scripting language. I found out from others that most recipients were using them for porn, piracy, flaming and trolling on forums and IRC, games etc. That killed that aspiration. |
vinref (6194) | ||
| 603097 | 2007-10-20 15:33:00 | You would be best talking to charity and welfare agencies who deal with people who cannot otherwise afford computers . They would probably be the best channel through which to donate the machines . You should also keep in mind the cost of internet access . Dial-up is probably still out of range of many of those you intend donating the machines to . Updating Ubuntu via dial-up is not practicable, but you could mitigate this by passing out update CDs etc . I had researched doing the same thing here where I live . I was even considering teaching them how to build machines, install and configure their own machines, and a scripting language . I found out from others that most recipients were using them for porn, piracy, flaming and trolling on forums and IRC, games etc . That killed that aspiration . Maybe you shouldda done took it one step further . . . . (that's US lingo) If you found such misuse of the computers (and I can see that is very likely) maybe it was the people to whom you gave the puters in the first place . Might be a good idea to ramp it up a notch or two and give them to nursing homes, convalescent hospitals and such, and maybe even give them some free lessons using them too . That would give the old guys a little fun, teach them something new and make you feel a little warmer during those cold South Island summers . |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 603098 | 2007-10-20 21:39:00 | Maybe you shouldda done took it one step further....(that's US lingo)... Nope. I stopped at the porn and piracy bit. |
vinref (6194) | ||
| 603099 | 2007-10-21 00:20:00 | Can't say I blame ya. | SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
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