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About the Program
In 2000 the Australian Computer Society (ACS) launched a Special Interest Group (SIG) to address the dual needs of people without access to computers at present and to extend the life of personal computers by relocating them to individuals and organisations in need.
The Adelaide-based PC Recycling Group relies on the generosity of both donors of equipment and their members who work voluntarily in receiving the equipment, reconditioning it, redistributing it and providing short term support to the recipients.
Our focus is on refurbishing computers for re-use, rather than recycling itself.
As part of our professional responsibility to provide an outreach service to the larger community, we think that in extending the life of these older computers and giving them to people who otherwise would not be engaged with any form of computing, we will encourage the use of new technologies. This scheme makes it possible for people to get involved in computing at low cost and no risk to themselves. In this way they may well, sometime in the future, take steps towards their own purchase of newer computers and software.
The scheme will take any working machines of Pentium IV or above and recondition them adding appropriately licenced or freely available open source operating systems software and application programs for word processing, spreadsheets and games.
If a recipient has specific software or hardware needs and we can meet them we will.
The program is a result of generous donors of equipment the first of whom have included the Barr Smith Library of Adelaide University, FH Faulding Pty Ltd, Adelaide Bank Charitable Foundation, C&PA and RAA. In more recent times we are grateful for the support of the Computer Recycling Scheme (CRS) who provides a significant number of the machines we refurbish today and The Yalumba Wine Company. We also acknowledge the support of the Computer Industry Association of SA (CIASA).
In 2004 the ACS PC Recycling Group became a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher, which allows it to provide a Microsoft Windows operating system to computers for eligible recipients.
The ACS PC Recycling Group can also provide computers to Microsoft-ineligible applicants along with free software such as one of the linux distributions. We favour, support and promote Ubuntu [(http://www.ubuntu.com/)].
Between 2004 and 2007 we, together with the Salvation Army's Employment Plus Community work programs, started the Work for the Dole program which meant that we were able to handle and refurbish many more computers to put back into the community. This program was expanded to include Uniting Care Wesley Port Adelaide who we worked with to provide training to unemployed people in the North Eastern area of metropolitan Adelaide.
Where are we?
From 1 September 2007 you will find us at 642 South Road, Glandore, 5037.
I Want a PC please
Almost any not for profit organisation or worthy individual can ask for one or more computers from this program. Just fill in the form here application form (in MS Word format) and email it to communitycomputers@sa.acs.org.au or send to PC Recyclers Program, C/- PO BOX 333, FULLARTON SA 5063.1. Please ring on Tuesday night between 6 and 8.30pm to discuss the application and arrange a pickup date.
To be eligible to receive a PC and Microsoft software through the ACS PC Recycling Group an applicant must be one or other of the following:
- a holder of a current Health Care Card, Aged Pension Card, Disability Card
- have some other form of documentation relating to low-income or disadvantage
- a charity or a non-profit organisation
- an infant, primary or secondary school registered in a State or Territory of Australia by the relevant authority
- a TAFE college
The machines we can supply have mostly been donated by companies because they are not suitable to run the latest software or with the latest devices. This means the machine we can give you will be at least 3 or 4 years old and will have the sorts of facilities found in business machines of that vintage. If you need a computer capable of running the latest games or the Microsoft Vista Operating System we are not likely to be able to help you.
In March 2006 we introduced a charge for the computers we refurbish to help with the ongoing cost of providing this volunteer based service. The current costs, as at 1 January 2009, for a computer range from $50 to $200, and there are various options packs for larger hard disks and extra memory when available. Please contact us to discuss the current rates and specifications at the time you apply.
Country clients will have their computer freighted for free where possible.
Please note: As at June 2009 the waiting time for a PC is around 1 week.
What happens next?
When we receive your application, one of our volunteers will call you on either a Tuesday or a Thursday to discuss your needs and to arrange a time for you to collect your machine. Please ensure you have given us a landline number to call otherwise we will SMS your mobile for you to ring us. Collection of machines almost always occurs on a Tuesday.
I can give PC/s to this program
If you have old computers in working order that you're no longer using and would like to make them available to this program please contact us. Our minimum specification is Pentium IV.
Contact
Our contact officer is Stefan Kreslin <kreslsj@gmail.com> or telephone 0401 495 010. If Stefan is not available please email communitycomputers@sa.acs.org.au or phone 08 8293 7484 and leave a message, we will return your call to a landline number. If you only have a mobile phone number please ring us on Tuesday between 5.30 and 8.30pm.
Triple-C Computer Club
This is a computer club for people who want to learn about using their computer. The idea is that people will join the Club at no cost and come along as often as they can to learn and to share what they have learned with others. We have our volunteers to support the learning. The Computer Club does already offer a session on a Thursday, but can operate on a Tuesday too if there is demand. Other days might be available by arrangement. There is a $2 per session charge to cover the costs and a cuppa.
Other Schemes
Give us a call or email us for details about other computer refurbishing and recycling schemes or visit http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/ to find a local recycler.
Footnotes: 1. For the pedantic amongst you, the form is provided in MS Word so that most people who will complete the form can do so at a computer, avoiding the problem of handwriting challenges. Most computers will have MS Word or similar available on them and thus can adequately manage using this proprietary product. To provide the form in PDF format would prevent this operation. Using plain text, as in emails, makes it difficult for volunteers to locate the information they need on the non-standard layout that plain text typically provides. If you really must show how committed you are to the open standards course, feel free to send the form using OpenOffice or similar.
