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From Pcrecyclingsig
NOTE: Following a restructure in response to market forces this program is offered via appointment only for computer pick up. Computers are still readily available for those in need, we just do not have workshop premises.
An application form which contains current costs, is available for download from application form
Contents |
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 selected 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 Community Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (CMARS), 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 those who would not qualify under the (CMARS) program. We have a limited number of Windows XP licences or will use 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.
Between 2007 and 2009 the ACS PC Recycling Group operated from premises at Glandore. It shut its workshop doors at Christmas 2009 due to a change in the market with demand for second hand desktop computers reaching an all-time low.
The ACS PC Recycling Group is operating from various members homes and continues to provide a service to those in the community who need it.
Where are we?
From 1 January 2010 you will find us at the SA Branch Office at Eastwood but strictly by appointment only .
Appointments can be made by emailing mailto:communitycomputers@sa.acs.org.au or by phoning 08 7127 1581 during business hours.
I Want a PC please
Just fill in the form here application form (in MS Word format) and email it to mailto:communitycomputers@sa.acs.org.au or send to PC Recyclers Program, C/- PO BOX 333, FULLARTON SA 50631. Please ring (northern suburbs - Lindsay 0409091613 or city/southern suburbs Brenda 0412 662 988) to discuss the application and arrange a pickup date.
To be eligible to receive a PC and Microsoft software from the ACS PC Recycling Group through the Community MAR program 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 Windows 7 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 2010, for a computer range from $50 to $150, and there are various options packs for DVD burners, USB 2.0 Cards etc 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 January 2010 the waiting time for a PC is around 2 weeks.
What happens next?
When we receive your application, one of our volunteers will call you 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.
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. Note: We do not take monitors, older equipment or non-working machines or peripherals. If you have such equipment to dispose of, try http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au.
Contact
Our contact officer is Stefan Kreslin <kreslsj@gmail.com> or telephone 0401 495 010. If Stefan is not available please mailto:communitycomputers@sa.acs.org.au or phone 08 7127 1581 and leave a message, we will return your call to a landline number. If you only have a mobile phone number we'll SMS you to ring us when available.
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. At present we do not have premises to host this service. If you would like to register your interest in joining the club and participating in the group's activities, email us with your contact details mailto:communitycomputers@sa.acs.org.au?Subject=Triple-C%20Registration%20of%20Interest and we'll get back to you.
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.
