The thing is that a lot of useless computers ARE dumped in developing countries. There are waste disposal companies in the UK and elsewhere who pay state governments in India and China (for example) to dump unprocessed electronic waste in their backyard.
And there have also been some well intentioned (but poorly planned and executed) projects to send old PCs to places without the resources or skills to make immediate, productive and sustainable use of them. (This ends up being as negative an outcome as out-and-out dumping). What we need to do is make an appropriate distinction between dumping and providing quality, fully refurbished, Pentium PCs into contexts where the appropriate capacity is already in place to make productive use of them. This means that secure and adapted premises, experienced staff and access to free or affordable technical support is in place. If so PII machines make excellent all round work horses. I am using one to write this. And PI PCs make excellent desktops on a thin client network in a school classroom. If supplied through SchoolNets where the recipient NGO is engaged in providing the above capacity and working on connectivity and policy issue the outcomes are truly impressive. See www.schoolnetafrica.net SchoolNet Africa is a pan-Africa, African-led organisation with structures in 30 African countries leading the way in applying ICTs to enhance education. SchoolNet Africa has just launched an appeal for one million refurbished computers for African schools. And if the PCs are supplied through national NGO Federations who are already engaged in pro-active capacity building work to stengthen their member organisations including providing computer training and technical support - again the outcomes are extremely valuable. We need to differentiate between good practice and bad practice in this area just as in other fields. Extending the productive life of PCs has very positive developmental, educational and environmental outcomes. Dumping PCs does not. Kind regards Tony Roberts Executive Director Computer Aid International 433 Holloway Road London, N7 6LJ. UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7281 0091 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.computeraid.org Registered Charity no. 1069256 Registered Company no. 3442679 _____________________________________________ This message was sent to you using a quality Pentium PC fully refurbished by Computer Aid International. -------------------------------------------------------------- Daniel Makundi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > ...I have always protested aloud whenever I hear someone mentioning in a > meeting something to the effect "they are turning 3rd world countries > into obsolete computer dumping ground". > > There is nothing like obsolete here: a 486/66 pc with 500 MB HDD and 16 > MB RAM will nicely install Win95 and Office97 and leave you plenty of > room for your data files. > > Doesn't sound like much, but, obtained at $80 (system unit, color > monitor, keyboard and mouse), a person or school that would otherwise > never dream of acquiring a computer. > > Please keep donating the used PCs and accessories, we out here do > appreciate them very much. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
