However, I really do wish you would stop misrepresenting the computers we send. As I have tried to explain several times, these are not "junk" computers; immediately prior to our sending them out they will have been running some of the largest and most successful corporations in the world, Lilly Pharmaceuticals, Anthem Insurance, etc. We send Pentium II and Pentium III computers with CD drives and modems or network cards, they have a minimum of 64mb of RAM. with licensed copies of Windows 98 or Windows 2000.
I am sorry you had such a bad experience with Computer Aid International in Tanzania, but it does seem a bit extreme to write off an entire industry based on one bad experience.
Thanks,
John Crooks
Virtual Scavengers
----- Original Message ----- From: "Lars Hasselblad Torres" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: [DDN] Bridges.org produces comprehensive guide on settingupandoperating a successful computer refurbishment centre in Africa
On the ford/mazzerati analogy, I tried to help a fellow in Tanzania get some
computers for an output he wanted to supply. We were in touch with a firm
called, Computer Aid International. My complaint with their service, as it
turns out, was that none of the computers they were going to supply would
come with cd-rom drives.
Unless its to a specialized vo-tech program, a school that has specified an
interest in remedial training, or as part of a package that includes
software and some form of tech support, I am not sure how, in good
conscience, such groups can "dump" these computers on any nation. My guess
is that, after some futzing around trying to find software (starting with
Windows) on floppies, a large number of these processors would have ended up
in the rubbish heap or storage closet.
The organization I was working with did not have immediate access to the
kind of support necessary to network and get these computers up and running.
And if I hadn't called ahead of time, they'd have been out about $7k in
shipping costs. In today's dollars, that money would have been better spent
on cheap, but up-to-date processors and sought a creative solution to the
problem of transportation.
In my mind, the computer dumping problem (when it indeed is such) is no better than food aid dumping programs that serve to regulate domestic supply.
Peace --
Lars -- lars hasselblad torres tagstudio.net art + technology + democracy
http://tagstudio.net
On 11/12/04 3:16 PM, "kwame dwamena dakwa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Forgive me Kwame but I think you are missing the point. The computers
are not being sent to developing nations because they don't meet
environmental standards. They are in perfect operating condition. They
simply aren't new.On 11/12/04 3:16 PM, "kwame dwamena dakwa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004, VSCAVENGER wrote:
Forgive me Kwame but I think you are missing the point. The computers
are not being sent to developing nations because they don't meet
environmental standards. They are in perfect operating condition. They
simply aren't new. They are no more or less environmentally sound then the
computer on which I am writing this message. They are being sent to the
developinf world because that is a far better use for them then grinding
them up and/or putting them in a landfill.
To ask "WHY should it be used in Africa?" is like saying, "If a wealthy
man drives a Mazaratti rather than a Ford, why should I be willing to drive
this Ford somebody is offering me? I insist on having a Mazaratti also!"
Thanks,
John Crooks
Virtual Scavengers
John:
The fact that you may not understand my point does not mean I am missing "the point". I am aware of new and refurbished computers and that is not the issue. Refurbished equipment is ofcourse a viable option for any tight IT budget. Your analogy of a wealthy man driving a Mazaratti and someone also insisting on driving one is totally flawed and just perpetuates the colonial mentality some westerners still have about Africa/ns. That Dark Continent mentality, and that the poor should be grateful for the crumbs falling off the rich mans table.
Ask yourself, if all the parts of a new or refurbished computer were environmentally safe, then why the environmental mandates? As some may already know, discarded computers and other electronic waste contribute more than two-thirds of the heavy metals put into U.S. landfills. Sometimes there isnt even room for them; a large number of discarded computers go into storage due to a lack of suitable disposal sites.
According to the UN there are about 600 million decommissioned computers in the world's 30 richest countries. Guess where they might be headed ! And in 10-15 years as technology advances with speedier chips and more streamlined hardware, guess again where all those obsolete machines will go ! I hope you see the bigger picture instead of the Mazaratti/Ford analogy you gave.
I am a strong advocate of Africans being extremely cautious of these "free computers".
stay strong, Kwame Dwamena Dakwa
Doctoral Candidate Compton Foundation Peace Fellow Educational Psychology: Learning & Instructional Psychology Indiana University 812-856-8333 (F) Bloomington, IN 47405-1006 812-219-0765 (C)
"Knowledge rules the world, and ignorance carries the burden." Marcus Garvey
_______________________________________________
DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide
To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with
the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
_______________________________________________
DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide
To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
_______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
