Computers for people that couldn't otherwise get one...
Computers for people that couldn't otherwise get one...
Idea Description
I work in computers as a consultant and I have always tried to recycle computers that would otherwise be thrown away and then I try to find someone who otherwise couldn't afford one and give it to them. I know for a fact that a lot of companies destroy the older systems rather then donate them for various reasons.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
Form a not for profit company to do just that get the old computers from companies with a guarantee the drives would be scrubbed (Wiped out) and then distribute them.
I would love to have some money to put something in place to see that less fortunate kids can get a computer. Would they be cutting edge? No but something is better than nothing not to mention less garbage in the landfills as an added bonus.
Vote for it now.
I can forsee the companies giving you everything but the hardrives themselves. You'll probably need to get new hardrives in that case.
I know that but in the case where I sign some kind of guarantee that they will be scrubbed maybe not. The problem is I have witnessed first hand when I was a mover companies throwing out everything monitors, KBs, Mice & computers themselves and when I asked that particular person in charge why they didn't donate them I was told it's "not worth it". It is if it gives someone less fortunate something to use. Bill
A big part of the problem you face is the operating system. The new Bill Gates policy goes someting like this: the software licence belongs to the hardware upon which it is originally sold. If you wipe the drive, (to mil spec I presume) there is no longer an operating system. If you install one from disk you "have lying around" you risk copyright infringment lawsuits. Your only recourse is to get "Bill" to sanction the operation. Good Luck!!
How about taking these computers and installing Linux on them.
Well most corporations (At least the small-medium ones) don't have Microsoft Open Agreements so the computers will have the OS serial number on them somewhere which is required by MS. So all that would have to be done is to get a copy of the OS install CD from whatever the manufacturer is i.e. HP, Dell, etc. If the OS serial number is there is takes care of that problem. Bill
you should take a look at PerScholas. they're a 501c3 that does this in NYC
Use GNU/Linux!!!!! It is available completely free of cost and is compatible with many proprietary solutions. In addition, it can run on ancient computers (I have it running on a computer that couldn't run Windows 95), and you can get free software alternatives to many proprietary programs. There is a free clone of Photoshop, MS Office, IE, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, etc. It uses less power as well. There are some small organizations (like Komputers4Kids) that do this, but nothing large. I would love to see something like this, as an extremely large number of perfectly good computers are recycled daily.
Sounds like a really good idea!