Government rejects used UK computers

[rpm]

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Hardware/973.html

 

[The_Unbeliever]

There's two minds on this thing.

1. They're afraid of being a dumping ground for old equipment

2. They're afraid of educating the masses

 

[lenosb]

The national government is worried about taking secondhand computers, although the provincial governments and the schools themselves understand that they can buy 10 times as many computers from us as they can if they buy them new.

The reason govermment is worried has nothing at all to do with us becoming a dumping ground, but rather for certain individuals the larger the amount spent on new PC's the larger the kickback...thats if there is any kickback at all from this UK based company....

 

[eltherza]

3. Sink the allocated R50million into government official's pockets

 

[biltonguy]

The reason govermment is worried has nothing at all to do with us becoming a dumping ground, but rather for certain individuals the larger the amount spent on new PC's the larger the kickback...thats if there is any kickback at all from this UK based company....

Yep, gov want a nice big inflated tender to goto 1 of their "BEE" companies

 

[swim]

Must be IVY she does not want coms in SA

 

[liancat]

Once again the 'poor me' victim plays out. How ungrateful !

A dumping ground?!?!? Any computer user wouldn't care for a second hand box if only to use as a router, mp3 box, mame console for kids to play games on, experience Ubuntu installed on etc.

*looks at all the above comments* -- spot on.

 

[StrontiumDog]

My thoughts exactly on point number 3. With these refurbished equipment deals worth hardly any moola, the gov officials in question don't want to waste their time on something without kickbacks.

Or
4) They genuinely don't realise that second hand does not mean obsolete or inadequate.

I have not upgraded my home pc's AMD 2600+ CPU since 2003, and I can still play decent games[1] with it running alongside my 6600GT. Application wise, I feel no need to upgrade, unless I wanted to run Vista or something!

[1] Bioshock, Oblivion and the like excluded

 

[risingtide]

Before we kick the goverment for not accepting these computers shouldn't we at least have some idea about their specifications?

 

[getafix33]

Schools that want the computers must have secure classrooms so the equipment cannot be stolen.

That's problem number 1.

They must also send the headmaster, two teachers and a designated technician on a Digital Links training course.

Problem number 2.

Oh, also don't forget that someone in top government probably has a relative who "owns" and IT company that will get the tender to supply these schools even if they cost 10 times more.

Sorry for been negative, but you only have to look at the state of the education department.

 

[jetpacman]

Banks make a fortune off us consumers often ripping us off. Where does all that profit go to at the end of the day. I wouldn't think it would be a stretch for Standard Bank to inject a large amount into this project. It would make for a nice PR stunt and be their contribution towards social responsibility.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/sto...F8-E0F2-4186-B23F-770DA0A2C30C}&siteid=aolRss

R50 million is not a lot from a few billion if you ask me. So this Sir Paul Judge fellow could maybe put his money where his mouth is and set the precedent for other institutions to do the same and show the public what the private sector can do for the country. Maybe it will cause government to have a change of heart.

 

[Tanarri]

Before we kick the goverment for not accepting these computers shouldn't we at least have some idea about their specifications?

Umm how bad can it be. Let's look at the two options (extreme):

1. No computers.
2. Learning how to type on computers with Windows 3.1. I mean the government can even buy *new* mouses and everyone can learn spreadsheets, word processing, etc.

I tell you what it is: the government doesn't want it because there will be paperwork. Paperwork involves that you have to put down the doughnuts, preferably wash your hands and then do some work.

Guess which one the government chose.

 

[kilo39]

2. Learning how to type on computers with Windows 3.1. I mean the government can even buy *new* mouses and everyone can learn spreadsheets, word processing, etc.

Certainly less than 4 years old (and probably running XP.)

(though of course OS would be optional?)

 

[Skeptik]

African pride at work again. We seem to have lots of money when it comes to buying arms or feathering the Presidential nest, but not when it comes to building houses or sponsoring charites.

 

[bwana]

Before we kick the goverment for not accepting these computers shouldn't we at least have some idea about their specifications?

According to their website;

The types of equipment that can usefully be reused are:

Base units - minimum specifications:
Pentium III 733Mhz processor
128 Mb of RAM
10 GB Hard Drive

CRT monitors: 15" or 17" only

Flatscreen monitors (complete with stands)

Laser printers

Other and older equipment is unlikely to be able to be reused and will need to be recycled, but as part of our service we can also look after this for you.

 

[risingtide]

According to their website;

Hahaha, really! The government is right to reject such junk. It is not only about learning to type but how to use computers one finds in the real world. Try and find a Pentium III or Win3.1 anywhere in a successful business.
If one wants to educate the young people then at least give them equipment that was not obsolete 5 years ago already.

 

[SlappY]

Err.... I did an honours degree in ComSci over 5 years ago. Didnt have any hassles with the PC's back then. Typing, email, spreadsheets, programming. Why would you even need a more powerful PC???

My work PC I am using now is a P4 2.4. Which is a technology that is about 4-5 years old now too. No problems here. What exactly do they want to teach these kids, are they learning to code DNA sequence matching alogorithms at such a tender age these days.

 

[noxibox]

Hahaha, really! The government is right to reject such junk. It is not only about learning to type but how to use computers one finds in the real world. Try and find a Pentium III or Win3.1 anywhere in a successful business.
If one wants to educate the young people then at least give them equipment that was not obsolete 5 years ago already.

Drivel.

 

[bwana]

Hahaha, really! The government is right to reject such junk. It is not only about learning to type but how to use computers one finds in the real world. Try and find a Pentium III or Win3.1 anywhere in a successful business.
If one wants to educate the young people then at least give them equipment that was not obsolete 5 years ago already.

Those are the minimum specs and from what I can tell would only need a ram upgrade to be able to run an OS such as Ubuntu.

Furthermore - most of the supposed real world of yours utilises a fraction of a modern day computers potential.

 

[McSack]

This says it all:

...but a lack of support from the national government has hampered its efforts. Instead, it has concentrated on Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana and Ethiopia, where government support has made the task far easier.

It costs R8000 to supply 20 computers and train the teachers,

That's like 400 bucks for a machine that will more than handle anything the education department can throw at it.

I've taught people to program on way lower spec than a P111 (**** I learned Cobol on an old 486)