Old Hardware

[der.hans]

Am 30. Mar, 2007 schwätzte vodhner at cox.net so:

> Jeff Garland wrote:
>> Well, except AZstruct gave me Thinkpad memory . . . so that
>> I could  upgrade some laptops . . . which I install Linux on
>
> Really.  Give 'em a break, they're the good guys too.

Yes, they're still helping people.

> I'm sure AzSTRUT has a lot of clients who need to have Windows
> (ref. my previous posting) to meet their immediate needs.  I recently

I'm certain they also have clients who would do well with GNU/Linux.

> set up a machine that could run XP but not Xubuntu.  (I dual-booted
> it with Feather Linux, but that was really lame.)  XP tends to run,
> along a fashion, on a lot of those old boxes with PCI devices.  So
> it makes sense for an outfit like AzSTRUT, concerned mostly with
> the hardware, to use the OS most likely to plug and play.

That would be Ubuntu :).

> It's great that RedSeven is doing what they're doing, but I doubt their
> clients have the same kinds of application requirements.  We should

I think you mean KidComputers. RedSeven is suporting them, but
KidComputers is a stand alone non-profit, just like AZstrut.

KidComputers and AZstrut have similar goals and clients, I think. AZstrut
is probably bigger.

> give credit to anyone who's filling the need, and be available to draw
> them away from their nasty entanglements when they're ready.
>
> BTW, when I got my new 22" monitor, I took the business to Data Doctors
> expecting to pay a premium.  I told them I wanted to do some business
> with them in thanks for their accepting all my old junk for AzSTRUT.
> But it turns out they beat Best Buy and Fry's prices for equivalent
> hardware.  :-)

And I got a pair of 22" widescreen monitors from RedSeven for much less
than I could find  anywhere else. I did not call DataDoctors, but I did
check online and with the big box stores, including Costco.

In talking to small business owners I've learned that they can often
compete on price with the big box stores. They can also provide better
service. The problem is that the big box stores, especially wallmart, use
their muscle to restrict what's actually produced. That limits what the
small stores can get.

My point is that we can support organizations and businesses that promote
Free Software rather than organizations that refuse to consider Free
Software.

I'm not being a purist, I'm just being practical and proactive. I don't
have billion$ of dollar$, I don't run a huge company where I get to make
the decisions, I'm not a politician who makes government policy. I'm just
one person doing what he can with the few resources he has available.

Is anybody going to get rich off my computer purchases? No. Heck, they're
not even going to keep their pet parakeet fed. But, there are millions of
individuals in this country ( billions on the planet ). Together we can
make a difference. I'd rather make mine in support of Free Software and
local businesses. Hopefully a few million will agree with me. Or, maybe
I'm agreeing with them...

I'm not saying AZstrut is evil. I am saying they have refused to use free
Software and I will continue to say that until they do start using Free
Software. Even if they stick with windows they could install
OpenOffice.org and the GIMP.

BTW, if you're interested in supporting local businesses check out AZ
Chain Reaction.

http://www.azcr.org/

ciao,

der.hans
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