As it stands at this time, we currently have about 10 working desktops and at least 2 working laptops. There are more working desktops than we have screens for. The only limitation in the number of computers available for public use is that there is limited space at 21 W North St, which is one of the reasons why we're moving AND one of the reasons why I want distribute computers throughout the space decentralizing computer access. If you want to refurbish your systems at Synhak, that's great! Do it! Its not in my way at all, I would even love to help as its my passion. There is simply no room to set up a 10+ workstation computer lab.... yet. Allow me to address your concerns outlined in the first paragraph:
1) Who has found themselves waiting to access a computer workstation? I have consistently seen the 3 computers in the computer lab, the one computer at the electronics lab, and the 2 laptops in the main space sit idle while most visitors are engaged with others or are sitting on their own laptop/tablet/smartphone they brought. 2) The electronics lab has a computer with all kinds of development software, design software, and electronics simulators. There are two computers in the computer lab with Windows, and one with linux, and the 3D printer's computer has design software on that. When I finish placing a laptop in each functional area of the space, that will only enhance our guests ability to design and implement their projects. 3) With 10 working desktops plus two working laptops plus at least a half dozen non-working laptops plus at least a half dozen non-working desktops plus a box of non-working computer boards, there is plenty of hardware at synhak to do a GREAT class. The offer is appreciated however, if you donate your P4 systems, I will likely refurbished and sell them to provide funds for Synhak along with the other older P4 systems we are not using, until I'm able to get around to that, they will sit and gather dust in a corner as the others are currently doing. On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 5:53 PM, Philip P. Patnode <[email protected]>wrote: > FYI > > My intention behind the donation of more Windows desktop computers was to > increase the size of the SH computer room to allow (1) more people to > access a Windows or Linux computer with little or no waiting, (2) have > enough systems set up to be able to offer computer-based learning - > tutorials for various hardware devices and software programs, 3-D printing > basics, computer programming, electronic/electrical/mechanical techniques > required for DIY and proto-typing to members and guests, and (3) have > enough systems to allow for a small classes to be offered in many areas of > interest to members and non-members, and taught by people involved with SH > or outside guest instructors, myself included. > > Let Omar do whatever he has planned for his pallet of laptops. I am not > trying to compete with him or sidetrack his efforts. The laptop project is > separate and distinct from my desktop donation and project for SH. There > is no overlap or interference between the two projects. What I might need > for my project will not detract from Omar's in any way. Also, I don't need > his time or expertise to complete my project, so he won't suffer from any > lost time or mis-directed effort to assist me. > > As to whether a single-core Pentium 4 computer can still do anything > useful, I feel it still has some life left to live. I am still using two, > single-core, P4 computers that will easily run multiple programs, open 10+ > windows at one time, access the internet on different browsers > simultaneously,, do email, run mp4 or FLV video tutorials, and run most of > the major software programs, including Photoshop, Illustrator, QuickBooks > Pro, Acrobat, MS Office 2007, and many others. OK, a P4 is slower, but it > still gets the job done, most of the time. > > If SH does not want any more single-core P4s, that is fine with me. I > have a short list of other non-profit organizations who would love to have > a fully functioning desktop, with legal software, donated to them. > > PPP > > > > > On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 12:36 PM, Omar Rassi <[email protected]> wrote: > >> You're absolutely right Craig, except we already have plenty of desktop >> hardware to do that with. There is currently not enough "I want to learn >> about computers" demand to warrant keeping an additional 10 desktops. The >> desktops we have at this time are more than sufficient. For now lets get >> these laptops up and running. >> >> >> On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 12:55 AM, Craig Bergdorf <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> As much as my basement and I hate to say it, >>> I must agree with Omar that most single core computers are great for >>> experimentation, and still very much usable as appliances, however are >>> simply not able to do what would be considered standard novice computing >>> tasks these days, such as google docs, youtube, and even the new version of >>> word. I would say training on XP at this point is counterproductive. Xfce >>> can help if software is your bag, but a 1/4 palette of core2 thinkpads with >>> windows licenses helps more. >>> >>> I would love to see a workshop, perhaps led by Phillip, on how to >>> disassemble, clean/refurbish, max out the ram and throw a lightweight OS on >>> these machines as an educational endeavor if there was community interest - >>> creating a giveable, sellable, or donatable end result. Or perhaps a >>> workshop by others at the space about of the wonders of gentoo or the >>> unstoppable power of pfSense (yes, it is late) >>> >>> There is huge benefit here, but I feel at the moment core infrastructure >>> is what is on most peoples minds. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Jan 13, 2014 11:01 PM, "Omar Rassi" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Pentium 4 class is at this point too old to be effectively used as part >>>> of the infrastructure. We currently exceed our hardware needs for desktops >>>> and servers and have much newer hardware in place already. In addition to >>>> that, there are also at least 3 complete Pentium 4 class machines that are >>>> unused and kept as disassembly-reassembly, learn-about-computers, etc. What >>>> I'm looking for at this time are 2.5" SATA hard drives, and *>* 65W >>>> Lenovo/IBM power adapters to get a working laptop in each working area of >>>> the space. If there is anyone who disagrees with that assessment, feel free >>>> to do-acracy with Philip and these machines. >>>> >>>> However, I may be interested in the monitor if it is a flat-panel, one >>>> of our flat panels just went down (the Sony) and we would need to >>>> replace/repair it, I haven't had time to look at it yet so I don't know if >>>> it can be repaired or not. >>>> >>>> On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 10:27 PM, Philip P. Patnode <[email protected] >>>> > wrote: >>>> >>>>> FYI >>>>> >>>>> I have at least 10 desktop computers available for donation to SH, >>>>> with some specific conditions attached to the offer. >>>>> >>>>> All were in operating condition when removed from service and replaced >>>>> with new computers. >>>>> >>>>> All are Pentium 4 Class systems in a desktop tower form. >>>>> >>>>> Most are generic brand, but a few are HP or Dell. >>>>> >>>>> All have a readable OEM license sticker for Windows XP Professional. >>>>> >>>>> Some may be upgradable to Windows 7. >>>>> >>>>> Some have hard drives, most do not. >>>>> >>>>> Some have 1GB RAM or more installed. >>>>> >>>>> Some have a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM; at least one has a DVD-RW. >>>>> >>>>> Some have a keyboard and mouse. >>>>> >>>>> None have a monitor to go with the tower. >>>>> >>>>> *I am willing* to donate the computers to SH for the *exclusive >>>>> purpose of setting up a computer room*, open to all - members and >>>>> non-members, at the new location. The SH board, with input from SH >>>>> members, can decide on the quantity desired. Any amount from one to ten >>>>> is >>>>> OK with me. >>>>> >>>>> As part of the donation process, I will personally prepare the desired >>>>> number of computers for SH and have them available for pickup and >>>>> installation within 30 days for one to four units, 45 days for five to >>>>> eight units, 60 days for nine or ten units. It will be up to SH to >>>>> acquire, by any means necessary, the requisite numbers of monitors. With >>>>> a >>>>> little help from the active SH Donation Pile, I will be responsible for >>>>> acquiring any additional parts needed to complete the systems, so that >>>>> each >>>>> one is ready to install at SH upon delivery. They will be delivered with >>>>> WinXP Pro, but SH may convert some of them to Linux at their discretion. >>>>> >>>>> *I am not willing* to donate them for total disassembly, curious >>>>> take-it-apart, or out-right destruction by SH members or non-members or >>>>> the >>>>> wandering homeless who inhabit downtown Akron. They are all good units, >>>>> suitable for refurb status and a new life. I don't want to see them >>>>> scavenged and parted out for one or two components and the remains >>>>> trashed. >>>>> >>>>> If SH does not want them, I am open to serious written requests to >>>>> donate them, one per person, to a SH member (or non-members) who can >>>>> convince me that they have an immediate need for such a computer >>>>> (educational needs, business needs, online dating needs, or whatever) and >>>>> agree not to sell it or trade it or blow it up in the back yard for at >>>>> least one year, or the commencement of the alien apocalypse, whichever >>>>> comes first. >>>>> >>>>> The next move is up to the SH board or any SH member who has the >>>>> authority to make a decision about this offer to donate, assuming >>>>> agreement to the conditions of the donation. >>>>> >>>>> I hope that a decision can be made by Friday, January 24, 2014. If >>>>> not SH, then I have other non-profit orgs that may be interested in the >>>>> computers. >>>>> >>>>> PPP >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 9:47 PM, Omar Rassi <[email protected]>wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> They do but for Windows XP and Vista and most of the OEM license >>>>>> stickers are unreadable. If someone wants windows installed, I'll find >>>>>> the >>>>>> one with a readable license first. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 9:42 PM, Justin Herman <[email protected]>wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Many of these computers have OEM licenses for windows. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 9:37 PM, Omar Rassi <[email protected]>wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Alright so there has been some considerable time since all those >>>>>>>> computers came in and not much has happened with them, so I came up >>>>>>>> with an >>>>>>>> idea for them that would be very nice to have at the new space. I love >>>>>>>> doing computer stuff for Synhak, I really can't stop myself even if I >>>>>>>> try... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I'd like to set up one laptop per "area" (i.e. one laptop for the >>>>>>>> craft room, one for the machine shop, one for the electonics lab, etc.) >>>>>>>> This way you won't need to stop and walk away to go to the computers >>>>>>>> if you >>>>>>>> need to look up something, they don't need a large area for set up and >>>>>>>> aren't tethered to one corner. I still plan to set up at least two >>>>>>>> desktops >>>>>>>> in a common area for public use with our current Windows licenses >>>>>>>> installed >>>>>>>> so anyone that uses them will be comfortable. I will install on these >>>>>>>> laptops Fedora 20 KDE unless a different OS is requested by at least 3 >>>>>>>> different members. The reason for this OS choice is the Synhak >>>>>>>> sysadmins >>>>>>>> are most familiar with Fedora and Windows. If a Windows OS is >>>>>>>> requested, >>>>>>>> we'll have to vote on a proposal to spend the cash on that ($12 Admin >>>>>>>> fee >>>>>>>> from techsoup.org per license, and before you ask, yes the company >>>>>>>> checks out and its legit). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> As far as the laptops go, they need 2.5" SATA hard drives. I have >>>>>>>> two I can give to synhak, AND, the big kicker here is power supplies >>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>> them. They are a little less than $30 new at Tigerdirect >>>>>>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7847505&CatId=608 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Tomorrow I'll be getting together a list of how many hard drives >>>>>>>> and power adapters we'll actually need to accomplish this goal. If it >>>>>>>> can >>>>>>>> met by donations that would be great, if not as stated earlier, a >>>>>>>> proposal >>>>>>>> to spend the money would need to be voted on. I'm estimating it would >>>>>>>> take >>>>>>>> me about 3 to 6 months to complete this since that's how long it took >>>>>>>> me to >>>>>>>> get things set up the last time I did this with the desktops. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Or if no one likes this idea or finds it redundant since we have a >>>>>>>> computer lab with desktops, then no movement will take place on this. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Discuss mailing list >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Discuss mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Discuss mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Discuss mailing list >> [email protected] >> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > [email protected] > https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >
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