Computers

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ruth Arnott on June 5, 2009 at 4:31pm

hi Arthur, I have been told that the PC's staff use at Hanover are quite different from home PC's, I know that they don't have disk drive facilities. However, I will make some enquiries and find out what happens with Hanover's old PC's and why, and get back to you.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John E Pallister on June 5, 2009 at 8:13pm

Hi Ruth,
I have heard of some companies (large and small) who donate their outdated computers to charities. Most often these are sent to schools, but I am sure that as Registered Social Landlords are classed (in most cases) as charities, maybe we may able to seek this out.

Cheers

John

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John E Pallister on June 6, 2009 at 11:48pm

Hi David,
The trouble is, round here, there are that many charities all trying to get free computers that it would be the next generation of pensioners who get the benifit......I suppose they could put us down as trail blazers (joke).

Our local Council would prefer to give them to those who have the greatest influence or some cause that would give them the greatest public limelight.

Cheers

John

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arthur Harrison on June 8, 2009 at 3:24pm

Hi Ruth

It may be that these computers do not have hard drives, but the perifials are the same as home use.
It's not that I am after a computer, I have a desk and laptop, quite sufficient for my needs.
A few E mails and a bit info now and then. I basicly got into computers just to get to grips with the technology and you kind of get hooked. Anyone wishing to pass time quickly just has to get a computer and before you know it the day has gone.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Charlotte Bowling on June 9, 2009 at 3:35pm

Hi Arthur,

As part of the team that has organised the replacement of the equipment for estate managers, my manager has given the following response:

The equipment being removed from the estates is now deemed to be end of life in terms of reliability and performance (the only exceptions to this are the Brother printers which are being replaced because they are starting to become unreliable, but also because of compatibility issues with our network).

All the equipment returned to Chippenham is being collected by a disposal/recycling company for them to clear any Hanover data/software then either recycle (after functional & safety testing) or dispose of as necessary (as required by the new WEEE disposal regulations). For us to wipe and test the equipment and then supply ourselves is an added cost and in addition it is felt that really the kit is unsuitable for someone as a home PC and with the cost of adding all the required software would not make financial sense. We are also not comfortable in supplying this old equipment to someone, in case something were to happen with it, say it then goes faulty soon after being supplied or it has an electrical fault etc.



Regards,

Charlotte

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arthur Harrison on June 9, 2009 at 7:03pm

Yes Charlotte, I know ist's all this ELF & Safety thing. Thank you for the explanation though.
Arthur H.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ruth Arnott on June 11, 2009 at 9:59am

Hi everyone, thanks for the reply Charlotte, things are never as straight forward as they initially seem. I'm sorry I never thought of posting this response earlier. Green Shoots small grants scheme will award grants for residents to buy an estate computer, as long as the majority of the residents on the estate are in favour of the application and there are no technical or other problems with where the PC will be situated. Green Shoots will grant up to £5000, so this would allow residents to purchase a state of the art PC and pay for some training too. We will even consider paying for the first years internet connection if residents have plans for how they will meet the future costs of this. So although Hanover cannot provide it's old PC's for residents use, we can help in providing a new one. If you would like more information about Green Shoots, please contact Loraine Harris loraine.harris@hanover.org.uk

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Margaret Goodwin on June 11, 2009 at 2:20pm

Please see my comment on 'Hanover World - The Beginning' group, yesterday.
I am sure we could organise a token system for sessions on the p.c. so that people are paying a small amount for each hour of use, which would then go towards the following year's internet connection, and meet any maintenance bills......bit like an internet cafe.

Best

Marg

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Roy Telfer on August 12, 2009 at 10:36pm

If you want extra bits and bobs such as extra memory,a second hard drive,web cam,or whatever.... then the place to go is your local Coucil recyle place. The one a few miles from me always has a shed full of old computer equiptment that has been thrown away because it is no longer wanted or is out of date. For a couple of pounds you can get a computer and strip out what you require. You would be surprised. Extra memory is easy to slot in to your computer, and hard drives can be formated and partitioned and away you go. If you are unlucky and get a dud, well its only a few pounds down the drain and you have had a lot of fun out of it.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John E Pallister on August 12, 2009 at 10:48pm

Hi Roy,
That's a novel solution, I'll pop down and see if our community tip has a service like that.

Cheers

John

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This