Reuse computers: Difference between revisions

From OLPC
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(LinuxBIOS)
Line 9: Line 9:
:; x86 PC : A good strategy may be to test components and to disassemble systems in developed countries and to deliver components in large quantities of identical components to developing countries. This would allow people to build the knowledge how to build PCs from components and how to repair them and it could allow a large number of small computer shops to come into existance in order to build PCs from used components. Pupils' coops {{ExtRef|http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sch%C3%BClerunternehmen|Schülerunternehmen}} could gather old machines, test machines, categorize components and send them to distributing organizations (this is not quite as interesting as refurbishing the machines but may be better for the recipients). Pupils could recycle the packaging material of new computers from local businesses as packaging material for their own shipments and print their own labels and documentation as required. Documentation could be provided in the language of the recipients, if possible.
:; x86 PC : A good strategy may be to test components and to disassemble systems in developed countries and to deliver components in large quantities of identical components to developing countries. This would allow people to build the knowledge how to build PCs from components and how to repair them and it could allow a large number of small computer shops to come into existance in order to build PCs from used components. Pupils' coops {{ExtRef|http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sch%C3%BClerunternehmen|Schülerunternehmen}} could gather old machines, test machines, categorize components and send them to distributing organizations (this is not quite as interesting as refurbishing the machines but may be better for the recipients). Pupils could recycle the packaging material of new computers from local businesses as packaging material for their own shipments and print their own labels and documentation as required. Documentation could be provided in the language of the recipients, if possible.


:: Pupils could update the BIOS of mainboards to the latest versions or exchange them with [http://linuxbios.org/ LinuxBIOS] (after verifying if this was desired by the recipients). This would give the pupils something to do that required them to read up on some technical issues and to establish some form of communication with potential recipients. Both seems desirable, even if the actual update of a BIOS may not be that important.
:: Pupils could update the BIOS of mainboards to the latest versions or exchange them with [http://linuxbios.org/ LinuxBIOS] (after verifying if this was desired by the recipients). This would give the pupils something to do that required them to read up on some technical issues and to establish some form of communication with potential recipients. Both seems desirable, even if the actual update of a BIOS may not be that important. (The motivation could be to provide professional service, not just untested computer parts)


:: Recipients could either be schools prepared to build their own machines or local computer shops affiliated with a distributing organization. The latter would allow the schools to buy their machines from local computer shops much like schools in developed countries do, but at very low prices.
:: Recipients could either be schools prepared to build their own machines or local computer shops affiliated with a distributing organization. The latter would allow the schools to buy their machines from local computer shops much like schools in developed countries do, but at very low prices.

Revision as of 14:25, 10 March 2007

Are there any plans to make an OLPC compatible distribution targeting old desktop systems?

Refurbishing old computer systems could also be an interesting project for pupils in computer science courses in developed countries. The OLPC wiki could help to coordinate such efforts.

Rationale: Given the world population between 0-14 years (male 919,219,446/female 870,242,271) [World Factbook] the OLPC and similar efforts may be unable to meet the demand (notwithstanding ability to pay) for quite a while. The OLPC effort is, however, able to provide government contacts and local organizations in developing countries prepared to handle the distribution of computer equipment in very large quantities.

Ideas

x86 PC
A good strategy may be to test components and to disassemble systems in developed countries and to deliver components in large quantities of identical components to developing countries. This would allow people to build the knowledge how to build PCs from components and how to repair them and it could allow a large number of small computer shops to come into existance in order to build PCs from used components. Pupils' coops [Schülerunternehmen] could gather old machines, test machines, categorize components and send them to distributing organizations (this is not quite as interesting as refurbishing the machines but may be better for the recipients). Pupils could recycle the packaging material of new computers from local businesses as packaging material for their own shipments and print their own labels and documentation as required. Documentation could be provided in the language of the recipients, if possible.
Pupils could update the BIOS of mainboards to the latest versions or exchange them with LinuxBIOS (after verifying if this was desired by the recipients). This would give the pupils something to do that required them to read up on some technical issues and to establish some form of communication with potential recipients. Both seems desirable, even if the actual update of a BIOS may not be that important. (The motivation could be to provide professional service, not just untested computer parts)
Recipients could either be schools prepared to build their own machines or local computer shops affiliated with a distributing organization. The latter would allow the schools to buy their machines from local computer shops much like schools in developed countries do, but at very low prices.
Apple
Apple computers do not have the same variety as PCs and older generations have been made obsolete by MacOS X. These machines could be pooled and re-used as Linux machines.
PS2
The PS2 had over 105 million units shipped worldwide by March 31, 2006. Given the fact that the PS3 can emulate the PS2 the PS2 could produce an interesting and lasting stream of second hand machines. With the cooperation of Sony the PS2 could boot PS2 Linux and launch Sugar. (Without the cooperation of Sony it would be impolite to tap a subsidized machine's market)

OLPC open

Wikibooks

External links

Retrieved from "http://wiki.laptop.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Reuse_computers&oldid=27398"