What to do with your old PCs?<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): At the end of last year, the number of PCs in
\nthe world was reported to have reached 500 million. Does it mean
\nthat one in twelve people in the world had a PC then?<\/p>\n
You know the answer. Not only are there many cases where an
\nindividual has multiple working PCs on his desktop, he may
\nalso have several nonworking ones collecting dust in his garage.<\/p>\n
Besides, over the years a lot of PCs have filled the earth
\nlike old tires and becak (pedicab) confiscated from the streets
\nof Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In a throw-away society -- borrowing from Alvin Toffler --
\ngetting rid of old PCs might not be a challenge: Just dump it on
\nthe sidewalk and the trashman will take care of it.<\/p>\n
However, here in Asia we do not part easily with our
\nproperties, and our old PCs soon become a problem.<\/p>\n
Yet, even dumping PCs on the sidewalk is not considered a
\nproper thing to do. More and more states in the U.S. are becoming
\nconcerned about this as the PCs are by no means an ecofriendly
\ncandidate for landfills.<\/p>\n
Their most feared hazardous wastes include lead, mercury and
\narsenic. Fortunately for the people in the U.S., some computer
\nvendors, including Dell, HP, IBM and Sony have started a PC
\nrecycling service. It is not free (IBM, for example, charges
\nUS$29.99), but the service is certainly a welcome one.<\/p>\n
So, if you or your children keep buying a new PC every two
\nor three years, what can you do with the old ones? Basically, you
\nhave two options. First, you can try to find a new use for them.
\nSecond, you can put them to pasture in a respectable way.<\/p>\n
If you choose the first, what are the possibilities?<\/p>\n
First, you can upgrade them. Powerleap (www.powerleap.com or
\nits subsidiary www.friendtech.com) has several options to
\nincrease the performance of your old PCs. Its Renaissance upgrade
\nkits, for example, can magically turn a 286 PC into a 1 GHz
\nspeedster.<\/p>\n
Powerleap's products are available at local computer stores
\nhere. However, you will have to consider the price and, above
\nall, the condition of the other components in your existing PC
\nbefore you leap. There is no use upgrading the CPU if you still
\nhave to buy a new hard disk and power supply.<\/p>\n
Once the speed and performance of the upgraded PC is up to
\nsnuff, you can use it to run Windows 3.11 or Windows 95. There
\nmay still be a problem with software copyright here, though,
\nas you may be required to have a license for these products, even
\nthough they are no longer sold or supported by Microsoft.<\/p>\n
You need to make sure you have legal copies of the operating
\nsystem and software.<\/p>\n
Another alternative is to run Linux. A 486 DX running at 66
\nMHz will make a very good Linux server. Consult your local Linux
\nusers group if you need more information.<\/p>\n
These folks will be more than happy to educate you, as helping
\neach other is the essence of the Linux philosophy.<\/p>\n
If you do not believe in Linux and you do not want to invest
\nin upgrade kits, you can still buy software from Cambridge-based
\nNewDeal Inc. (www.newdealinc.com).<\/p>\n
This company specializes in writing software programs that
\ndoes not require too much computing power -- even a 286 will do.
\nTheir products include SchoolSuite, OfficeSuite and WebSuite.<\/p>\n
You can even download a trial version of the company's Office
\nfrom their website for evaluation.<\/p>\n
If you do not have a use for your old PCs, you can sell
\nthem. Stores in Gajah Mada Plaza are still willing to give you
\nabout Rp 300,000 for a Pentium 90 MHz (without the monitor). Not
\nbad.<\/p>\n
However, a 286 may not have too much of a market anymore, so
\nyou might want to donate it to a school or foster home.<\/p>\n
If you donate your old clunker, just make sure that it is in
\nworking condition. If your idea of charity includes giving
\nnonworking PCs to other people, you will be actually transferring
\nyour problems to them. That is certainly not the right way to
\ndispose of your junk.<\/p>\n
However, about the only place you might consider when
\ntrying to find a place to dump your old, nonworking machines is
\nthose established computer schools.<\/p>\n
Unlike us, seasoned computer professors do not usually find
\nmuch excitement in working with the latest and the greatest. They
\nusually feel more dignified working on a two-decade old PC or
\nMac. And they can fix them, too. (Zatni Arbi)<\/p>",
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