[plug] Angels in the centerfold (well, not on the cover)

[Leon Brooks]

On Sunday 10 March 2002 23:54, Leon Brooks wrote:

> Subject: Where do old computers go to die?

> I saw the quite staggering number of household appliances and such being
> collected from the kerb during a recent Nedlands hardwaste collection, and
> wondered how many of us know that computers have angels too.
>
> Computer Angels are volunteers who take old computers - otherwise destined
> to pollute landfills with a wide variety of extremely toxic substances -
> mix and match to make working systems, install Linux on them (for reliable,
> free no-licence-hassles, no-viruses use) and donate them to organisations
> and individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford one (or in cases
> like PMH, have no budget for one).
>
> If you have a computer (printer, screen, whatever) sitting around, please
> consider letting the Angels give it a new life. Computer Angels
> (http://www.ca.asn.au/) can be contacted on 9479 4949.
>
> If you can't quite bear to let it go yet, visit the Perth Linux User Group
> (http://plug.linux.org.au/) and see about finding it a new job in your own
> home or business.

On Thursday 16 March 2002, the Claremont Nedlands Post published on p8:

> Headline: Computer Angels provide an after-life for your chuck-outs

> I saw the quite staggering number of household appliances and such being
> collected from the kerb during a recent Nedlands hard-waste collection and
> wondered how many of us know that computers have angels too.

> Computer Angels are volunteers who take old computers that are otherwise
> destined to pollute landfills with a wide variety of toxic substances.

> We then mix and match these computers to make working systems, install
> Linux on them (for reliable, free, no-virus, no-licence hassles) and
> donate them to organisations and individuals who would otherwise be
> unable to afford one (or in cases like PMH, have no budget for one).

> If you have a computer (printer, screen, whatever) sitting around, please
> consider letting the Angels give it a new life.

> Computer Angels can be contacted on 9479 4949 or www.ca.asn.au/.

> If you can't quite bear to let it go yet, visit the Perth Linux User Group
> (http://plug.linux.org.au/) and see about finding it a new job in your own
> home or business.

Well... aside from making the bit about no-licence-hassles scan badly, they 
didn't damage it too much. If you live in the catchment area of another local 
newspaper, consider sending them a letter as well.

Also, particularly if you're a student, waiting-for-work or retiree, donating 
time to CA is a great way of picking up practical skills and at the same time 
helping the community.

Cheers; Leon