[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] recycling computers

[Barry Kort]

I routinely accept old computers that people want to retire.  I wipe the
disk and install a suitable operating system (often Linux, but sometimes a
suitable version of Windows or Mac OS) to give the machine a new life.

Barry



On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 5:06 PM Drew King (dking65 at kingconsulting.us) <
dking65 at kingconsulting.us> wrote:

> My group here mostly takes in computers capable of running Windows 10.
>
> If the computer was previously running window 7 It should be capable of
> running a Linux distribution with current updates.
>
> Also, keep in mind that Google has a free OS called Chrome OS flex.
>
> A simple Google Chrome operating system might be simpler for somebody than
> running a free Linux.
>
>
> I think we took a donation recently this past month of close to 100
> computers that will be reconditioned and distributed to the needy.
>
> All of the computers get a clean install of Windows 10 and Microsoft
> office too!
>
> We have some sort of nonprofit arrangement with Microsoft.  I don't know
> exactly what it is but I do know that our refurbishing group puts office on
> all of their computers they hand out.
>
>
>
> --
> Drew King
>
>
>
> On February 20, 2023 4:35:22 PM EST, Ken Pogran <pogran at alum.mit.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> One issue to contend with in donating old computers for reuse is that
>> once a computer is old enough, it is no longer supported by newer versions
>> of its operating system. Of course, you could still run it with its old
>> OS, but then...
>>
>>    - It probably won't be able to take security updates, potentially
>>    leaving it (and its users) vulnerable to hacking and other security flaws
>>    of the old OS, long since fixed in newer versions.
>>    - It may not be able to run a web browser new enough to include
>>    capabilities contemporary web sites assume are there, causing some web
>>    pages not to display properly, or some ecommerce things not to work.
>>
>> Some years back, my dad was using a hand-me-down computer, and his bank's
>> "on-line banking" web site began telling him that, after a certain date, he
>> wouldn't be able to access it with his current browser.  The browser was
>> packaged with the OS, and the computer couldn't run a newer version of the
>> OS, so in order to continue to use on-line banking, we had to get him a
>> new(er) computer capable of running a supported OS and browser.
>>
>> At a senior center, especially, I'd worry that users might be flustered
>> by web pages not loading properly, or by compatibility warnings from
>> ecommerce sites. There's some point at which the most appropriate
>> destination for an old computer is an electronics recycling facility.
>>
>> Ken Pogran
>>
>> OLGA P GUTTAG wrote on 2/20/23 3:12 PM:
>>
>> There are multiple organization that bring old computers back to life and
>> donate them to entities that have need for computing but at a very low
>> complexity (senior centers for email correspondence, …).
>>
>> Rather than frying your computers or destroying the disks plse consider
>> taking the effort of wiping the disc clean and donating your old computer
>> to one of these up-cycling groups. I bet there are many very poor people in
>> our rural areas and in the rest of the world who would be happy to get your
>> discarded computer.
>>
>> Stay well,
>> Olga
>>
>>
>> ===============================================
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-- 
The Process of Enlightenment Works In Mysterious Plays.
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