Reuse computers

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.

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). 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

• OLPC Linux for ordinary PCs: Sugar on a USB stick

External links

• http://www.computeraid.org/ - Computer Aid has shipped over 80,000 PCs to more than 100 countries
• http://www.reuse-computer.de/ (in German)