Re: Old Computers

[Timothy Wilson <wilson@VISI.COM>]

On Thu, 26 Jul 2001, Michael Edmiston wrote:

> There have been a number of responses both on list and off list about
> colleges like mine doing upgrades and throwing away old computers.  Most
> people cannot imagine throwing working computers away.  Some have suggested
> sending our old computers to them, or to schools, or to non-profit
> organizations.  It's not that simple.

Let me add my $0.02 as someone who would normally be on the receiving end of
computer donations.

My K-12 school district is strongly resistant to accepting donated
machines. As much as we could use the hardware, the cost-benefit analysis
just doesn't work out for us. We have very limited tech support staff who
are able to keep their heads above water only because of the uniformity
they've demanded in computer purchases over the last few years. We have a
standard workstation that everyone buys. No exceptions really.

Most of the corporations that are willing to donate machines are donating
very out of date ones that require a lot of support. Their tax benefit
becomes our disposal problem!! That's the biggest problem. We pay about
$0.20/lb. to get rid of old computer equipment (boy, those monitors are
heavy).

In the end, it's not worth it.

-Tim

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