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I get calls from people every week that ask if I buy old PC's. I dont, but these PC's still have a lot of value to someone with no computer, kids, etc. I take old (free) PC's to refurbish and pass on. Here is a list of things that I pull from when recycling computers. Install Ubuntu or some version of it (depending on the hardware).People with no knowledge of computers haven't been spoiled by Micro$oft yet. Ubuntu operates like XP in most ways, and the cool thing about it is the availability of free applications right from the desktop. There are productivity apps, games, graphic tools, etc. Most of these are equivalent to their M$ counterparts, but free. Your grandmother doesn't care if the rest of the world uses Outlook. They just want to get an email from their grandson. A free yahoo email address and Thunderbird is all they will need for quite some time. Everyone should be using Thunderbird anyway. :)
Open OfficeYep. It comes with Ubuntu, but if you keep Windows as the OS installing Open Office is a good idea. I use OO exclusivley in my studio, I wont install M$ Office on any of my boxes again. The latest release keeps everything compatible with M$ Office. It has a smaller footprint than Office and you guessed it.....it's free. CRT Monitors You can get a 19" CRT for nothing now. Businesses are giving these away when they upgrade. For some reason if you give a kid a used computer with a giant monitor, they think it's a super computer. A lot of these monitors have a few years left in them, and it's good for the planet.Older peoplereally like big monitors and low resolution desktop settings!! :) Antivirus AVGfree. For a free Windows AV app you cant beat it. I've tried them all and AVG is the best of the bunch. If you use Ubuntu, you may not even need an AV app. Install it and set the updates to daily. Explain to the person getting the PC what it is and what it will do. Remote DesktopI usually install some sort of remote desktop app. If I know the person, I can answer questions, give tutorials, etc. If you use Ubuntu, you can connect to it using UltraVNC in Windows. If youhave windows on the recycled box, you can use Teamviewer. Teamviewer is a no install remote desktop app that runs over a secure password protected connection. Media Player Everyone wants to listen to music or some type of audio file. In Ubuntu I use VLC, in Windows I like Winamp. CD BurnerMost of the PCs I've refurbished have had CD Burners. Theres a few options for software here, Ubuntu works out of the box. XP also has a built in burning app, but it's.....lacking. I use CDBurnerXP instead. General info
Once you get this stuff installed, test it! Try to set things up so it will be easy for the user to operate. A new user will be afraid to touch anything. Iin Windows use the Quick Launch area in the task bar for icons. In Ubuntu add every program they will use often to the task bar. Set Google as their homepage and install an instant messenger app complete with account. I made a document that they can open in Open Office. This has instructions that walks them through simple things like changing wallpaper, copy & paste, etc.I'll also include their email, IM names, passwords, etc. Normally I can set up Ubuntu and all the stuff listed above in a little over an hour. Total cost of the rebuild using the apps above = $0.00 If 5 or 6 of us nerd types pulled together and built a couple of these freebie boxes each, we could supply a school with a computer lab. Something to think about.
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