ICS launches PC Refurbishment Scheme

Pro

1 April 2005

Still on the subject of VICS, the group will be one of the beneficiaries of a PC refurbishment scheme being piloted by the Irish Computer Society (ICS) in conjunction with the City Centre branch of the Dublin Lions Club. Under the scheme, which was announced at the beginning of September, the ICS and the Lions Club are seeking donations of obsolete and dated personal computers and peripherals (including scanners, printers, mice, modems and cables), which they will then pass on to charities, schools and individuals.

Frank Cronin, CEO of the ICS, says that two key factors triggered the launch of the scheme. The first is the proposed WEEE Directive, which is designed to limit the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being disposed of and will make producers responsible for taking back and recycling kit. Secondly, Microsoft is to due to stop supporting Windows 98 and below from November 2003, a move that is expected to lead to many PCs being take out of circulation. ‘Here is a timely opportunity to help broaden the ICS’s goal of access-for-all by finding deserving homes for many of these computers,’ says Cronin.

All donated equipment has to be in working order and must meet a minimum specification, which will depend on the needs of its end user. For example, VICS has specific requirements for 17-in monitors and sound cards. Cronin says that while the stringent specifications and the fact that all equipment must be working may have put some people off, it was necessary to avoid being dumped with lots of broken kit.

Apart from VICS, which has a requirement for 12 machines, the initiative is currently trying to source 30 PCs for Larkin Community College and 80 for the Salvation Army. Cronin says that initial interest has been very encouraging. The ICS has already been contacted by people who want to contribute equipment straight away and by some who will donate when their kit becomes obsolete. ‘We have other charitable causes getting in touch expressing an interest in the donation of PCs, and some engineers have contacted us pledging some time to the testing of consignments,’ he says.

There’s more information about the scheme and the type of machines required on the ICS website (www.ics.ie). If you want to donate equipment, contact the ICS at pcrefurb@ics.ie with Computer Refurbishment Scheme in the subject field.

03/10/2003

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