The unemployed need computers, too.

Posted on November 18th, 2011

My good news is that I placed two computers in homes this past week. These systems are internet ready and the new owners are grateful.

I’m starting to get more requests for computers and they are coming from needy people and families hit hard by the recession. Unemployment makes it hard to afford necessities like food and shelter. It may seem like having a computer may be a luxury, but more and more the presence of a computer means not only improving morale by being able to keep in touch with friends and family; it also gives people the means to find work and help themselves. Many government services are encouraging applications online and most businesses do as well.

So if you’ve got a serviceable laptop sitting in storage, please consider donating it. All it needs is the ability to get online. Even if it is in need of some repair, please contact me about whether it can be fixed and put in the hands of someone who can make good use of it.

Something, Something, and Recycle

Posted on November 30th, 2010

When I hear people talk of going green, almost all talk is one of two things: buy something new to live a greener lifestyle (bamboo flooring, solar charger for your cell phone, etc.) or recycling. While the first seems like more of the same consumerism, recycling is a good thing. It encourages us to put less stuff in the landfill or incinerator. But Recycling is only one of the tenets. Why do we forget the other two: Reduce and Reuse?

It’s easy to disregard Reduce. We are bombarded with messages about consuming more and more for a better lifestyle. I was recently puzzled by a compliment I received to congratulate me on holding on to my 10 year old car for so long. Fact is, I bought it used and like it and have no need for a newer car. Why would I get rid of a perfectly good automobile? It seems that it’s all to easy to ignore Reduce and although I don’t want to give it short shrift – I do what I can to not buy something if I don’t need it.

Instead I turn to my current favorite: Reuse. Many people don’t use the word and use Recycle in its place. But Recycling is a transformative process (turning soda bottles into clothing, or remaking aluminum cans into new aluminum cans). To Reuse is to using again something that has already been made.

Reuse is great. We deal with something we’ve already got and invest only a little energy to it. Garage sales and thrift stores feature reuse as do Freecycle, Craigslist, ebay, and newspaper classified ads.

Reuse is where I’m investing my spare time right now. I will pick up equipment that you no longer use (printers, computers, digital cameras, keyboards) and find homes for them. If you know about an organization or family in need, let me know. I will try to provide usable equipment that has been donated, and that I have checked out to be serviceable. Drop me a line.

Compassion with Local Computers

Posted on October 7th, 2010

I am starting up a local project to reduce energy usage, teach people about computers, and get used computers to organizations and families in need.

Too many of the computers we purchase end up at the transfer station, bound for recycling, or left to age in the back of a closet or in a garage or cellar. How many can be easily repaired and put to use? Rather than letting it go to e-waste, why not let it have a new life with someone in need?

If you have recently replaced your old computer because it no longer works or just works slowly, perhaps you would consider letting someone in need have it.

My project, following the lead of organizations such as FreeGeek, is to take in late model desktop and laptop computers, refurbish them, and find new homes for them. The refurbishing process starts with pulling the hard drive and securely erasing all data. Next, the components are tested and parts are replaced as needed. Then software is loaded on the hard drive and the unit is tested before it is given a new home.

I need your help in locating computers for reuse, for helping refurbish them, and to find suitable homes for the used computers. Before taking your computer to the transfer station or storing it away somewhere at your home, consider donating it to this project. If you wish to learn more about repairing computers and are interested in volunteering, I welcome you to come to the next Down East Mac Users Group meeting on Wednesday, October 20 from 6-8 pm upstairs at the Maine Grind in Ellsworth. We’ll cover identifying suitable donated computers and the basics of hardware diagnosis. If you know of a non-profit organization or a family in need of computers, let us know and we’ll try to meet the need on a first-come, first-served basis.