[NBLUG/talk] Computer Recycling

[Tim Preston]

Justin makes a good point. I just sent more pieces of equipment to CRC 
and don't like throwing anything away. I am also interested in linux and 
have a web server/site available for a web-based swap page/list if it 
goes that direction. However, it is a Netware box with Netscape Web 
server installed. (less security issues ;-)

Tim

Justin Thiessen wrote:

>On Thu, 14 Aug 2003, Cal Herrmann wrote:
>
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>>Another perhaps possible thing-to-do would be to create a site-folder where
>>individuals could list such machines as available donations to non-profits.
>>Don't know if anyone would actually read the listings!
>>Cal
>>    
>>
>
>This reminds me of freeboxen.com (now long defunct).
>
>If we really wanted this to be a sort of linux promotional effort, then I
>suspect that prepackaged setups would be the way to go.  Most non-profits
>do not (AFAIK) have highly experienced computer people with lots of free
>time on their staff.  If setting up donated equipment is going to require
>more than dropping in a CD and going through some fairly friendly menus,
>they're not going to bother.  Admittedly, install scripts have come a long
>ways since I started mucking around with linux (although my personal fave
>distro (slack) hasn't changed much in that regard), but it would probably
>be easiest to generate interest if systems came with linux preinstalled
>and configured for a given set of duties, say:
>
>- desktops  (Read email, handle stuff like openoffice, surf the web, etc.)
>- routers/firewalls/print servers
>- file servers
>
>which divide up fairly nicely into hardware ranges:
>
>routers/firewalls/print servers -> desktops -> file servers
>
>low end ---------------------------------------- high end
>
>
>One advantage this would have is it provides a potential niche for all
>those slow, old 486s/low-end pentiums which few people will tolerate for
>general desktop use, but which make perfectly acceptable
>routers/firewalls/print servers.
>
>OTOH, I'm not sure the average non-profit even has a need for anything
>beyond a few suitably-configured desktops.  Thoughts?
>
>In any case, based on their website, I'm pretty sure that CRC will donate
>free systems to non-profits, so this is another area of potential
>cooperation.
>
>If, however, we just want this to be a way to shuffle old hardware around
>to those who might potentially use it, (Which may just end up being a game
>of musical garages) then a web-based swap page/list might be enough.  I
>really suspect that this'll just result in cruft magnets like me building
>up a herd of cantankerous old boxen because we hate to see stuff thrown
>away.
>
>Justin Thiessen
>thiessen at sonic.net
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