First computers installed at library in Loon, Bohol.
IJsselstein, The Netherlands, Friday, 10 March 2006 16:10:49
We currently run this project on low profile, due to the limited space for storage and limited funds available for shipping. To partially cover shipping costs, we need to ask a contribution from receiving institutions.
In cooperation with Damayang Pilipino sa Nederland, we run a small project to give old computers a second live in the Philippines. We collect computers, check them, clean and fix them when needed, and then ship them to the Philippines for use in public schools, health organizations, NGO's, and other organizations that serve the public good, and cannot afford to buy computers themselves.
So, if you still have your old computer lying around collecting dust somewhere, please consider us. We also are looking loose parts, so if you still have your old CD-Rom drive, processor, hard-disk, memory, etc., after upgrading to something newer: we can put it to good use.
Since we are physically located in the Netherlands, we only collect and ship computers from the Netherlands (preferably near Utrecht), but we will be happy to cooperate with similar initiatives that wish to collect computer hardware in other countries.
Although we accept nearly all types of old computer hardware, we will only ship systems that are still reasonably usable. This currently (2006) means a Pentium III 500 MHz computer with at least 128 megabytes of RAM, at least 4 gigabytes of hard-disk space, a 1.44 megabyte 3.25" floppy drive, a CD-Rom player, color monitor, keyboard and mouse. When available and usable, also other hardware, such as printers (not inkjet) and scanners will be shipped. See the technical details for details. Equipment that cannot be shipped will be sold to cover shipping costs, or stripped for parts, and parts that are no longer usable will be disposed of.
After we receive the machines we will completely wipe all harddisks. We will then freshly install English language software. If the hardware is donated with the original licences (so please don't remove license stickers), we can install Microsoft Windows and other commercial software. Otherwise we will install Linux and Open Office. Even if you do not have hardware to donate, we explicity want to ask you to donate English language software licenses and media. Finally, financial donations, to cover costs shipping, repair and parts are also welcome.
People or institutions who wish to donate computer hardware can contact us using our contact form, or at the address below. If you have concerns about confidentiality of data on your harddisks, we can assist you in whiping harddisks. We will format any harddisk we receive anyway.
Elligble institutions wishing to receive a computer can also contact us. Recipients will be asked to fill in an application form sign a declaration, in which the intended use is described, and some safeguards are agreed on to avoid abuse, theft, and missappropriation of donated equipment.
We cannot promise whether or when equipment will be delivered, which depends on the availability of donated computers and shipping capacity.
Since we strive to the utmost openness, we will publish details about hardware received and donated on-line. Our financial statement is also on-line. For more details, visit our Questions & Answers section.
Currently most needed are: bare computer systems and CD-Rom drives.
Jeroen Hellingman
Aletta Jacobsstraat 5
3404 XD IJsselstein
+31 (0)30 687 5444
jeroen@bohol.ph
http:/www.bohol.ph/
In reverse chronological order.
| Date | Description | Status |
| 2003-03-11 | 166 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 3 GB SCSI harddisk, 3x SCSI CD-Rom drive, speakers, microphone, tapedrive, keyboard, mouse, gamepad. | Functional, needs better SCSI CD-Rom drive and monitor. Some driver software is missing. |
| 2003-03-08 | Three serial mice. | |
| 2003-03-08 | 233 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 500 MB IDE harddisk, 4x CD-Rom Drive, 2 keyboards. | Clean installation, but has trouble with video-card and needs new CD-Rom Drive. |
| 2003-03-08 | 486 Based PC. | Disassembled for parts. |
| 2003-03-08 | Two 14" color monitors | Matched with systems. |
| 2003-03-08 | 17" color monitor | Needs D-sub cable, can't be used in Philippines since it requires 50Hz current. |
| 2003-03-05 | One 386 based PC (cabinet, floppy drive only) and two 486 based PCs | Disassembled for parts. |
| 2003-03-05 | Bunch of US-style 3-pin power cords. | Will be shipped with complete systems. These are very welcome indeed! |
| 2003-03-05 | Empty server tower cabinet, ATX form factor, 3.5 floppy drive, loose Pentium 266 processor and motherboard.. | Kepts as parts. |
| 2003-03-05 | 100 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 800 Mbyte IDE harddisk, CD-Rom Drive. | Complete, matched up with monitor, keyboard, and mouse. |
| 2003-03-05 | 133 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 1 Gbyte IDE harddisk, CD-Rom Drive. | Functional, matched up with monitor, but needs keyboard and mouse. |
| 2003-06-14 | Three 15" color monitors. | All functional, will have to match up with computers. |
| 2003-06-14 | One 17" color monitors. | Functional, will have to match up with computer. |
| 2003-06-14 | One mechanical typewriter. | Need some minor repairs. |
| 2003-06-14 | Two electric typewriters. | Need repairs. |
| 2003-06-14 | Ten electronic typewriters. | Four of these are fully functional, four need repairs, and two are beyond repair, and have been used for spare parts. |
| 2003-06-14 | Nine plain paper faxes (inkjet type; will need new ink-cartridges). | Six of these are fully functional, one need repairs, and two are beyond repair, and have been used for spare parts. |
| 2003-06-14 | Four mice. | Still have to verify. |
| 2003-06-14 | Hot wax book-binder | Still have to verify. Need consumables to use this. |
| 2003-06-16 | Pentium 90 Computer + 15" color monitor | Still have to verify. Keyboard is lacking. |
| 2003-10-08 | Pentium 133 Computer, 15" color monitor, mouse, and keyboard. | Completely functional. |
| 2003-10-19 | Pentium class 133 Computer, 14" color monitor, mouse, and keyboard. | Completely functional; Color monitor needs replacement, and mouse and floppy drive have been replaced. |
| 2003-10-25 | Large flatbed scanner. | Driver software present, but only partially functional. Requires a SCSI card to be useful. |
| 2003-10-25 | 19-inch monitor. | Brought to recyclestation, since it was not functioning. |
| 2004-01-25 | Pentium 90 Computer, 15" color monitor, mouse, keyboard, and inkjet printer. | Completely functional, send to school in Rizal. |
| 2004-05-21 | Pentium II 400 Mhz Proliant 800 Server, 28 GB disk, 196 MB memory, CD-Rom drive. | Completely functional. Looking for destination. |
First computers installed at library in Loon, Bohol.
In reverse chronological order.
| Nr. | Description | Status |
| 1 | 100 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 800 Mbyte IDE harddisk, CD-Rom Drive, 14" color monitor, keyboard, mouse. | Delivered to school library in Loon, Bohol. |
| 2 | 166 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 3 Gbyte SCSI harddisk, CD-Rom Drive, 15" color monitor, keyboard, mouse. | Delivered to school library in Loon, Bohol. |
| 3 | HP Deskjet Printer, fax machine and typewriter. | Delivered to school library in Loon, Bohol. |
| 4 | 133 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 1 Gbyte IDE harddisk, CD-Rom Drive, 15" color monitor, keyboard, mouse, fax machine, and two typewriters. | Delivered to primary school in San Isidro, Bohol. |
| 5 | 166 Mhz Pentium, 32 Mb memory, 2 Gbyte IDE harddisk, CD-Rom Drive, 15" color monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer | Send to Pamilacan Dolphin and Whale Watching Association, Baclayon, Bohol. |
| 6 | Pentium class computer, 16 Mb memory, 800 kB IDE harddisk, CD-Rom Drive, 15" color monitor, keyboard, mouse. | Send to high school in San Isidro, Bohol. |
| 7 | 1 266 Mhz Pentium computer, 32 Mb memory, 2 MB IDE harddisk, and 15" color monitor; 1 90 Mhz Pentium computer, 32 Mb memory and 15" color monitor, keyboard, mouse; inkjet printer; electronic typewriter. | Send to primary school in Rizal. |
In chronological order.
| Date | Description | Mutation | Cummulative |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Euro's | Euro's | |
| 2003-03-01 | Start of project | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Yes, we still run this fully cash-less!
Q: What type of computer hardware will you accept?
A: We are looking for systems that can still be used for a couple of years in projects in the Philippines. This means we cannot accept everything. Equipment is welcome that meets the following minimum requirements. (we may review these requirements from time to time.)
Since we have a shortage of both CD-Rom drives and memory (maybe you still have one after you updated to a DVD or CD-Burner), donations of these are also sought. US style power cords, hard-disks, and software licenses for Windows and Office applications are also welcome.
Q: Can you pick up equipment?
A: Yes, but please remember that our costs (fuel and time spend) for picking up equipment can be considerable, so it may take some time for us before we have an opportunity to do so.
Q: What type of computers will you deliver?
A: We will only deliver complete, and fully functional systems, meeting at least the following specifications: 500 MHz Pentium III class processor, with 128 MB memory, 4 GB harddisk, a CD-Rom and floppy drive. Each system will be fully installed with all required software, and delivered with all required cables, an emergency boot-floppy and system software and other software on CD.
Q: What type of software will you install?
A: Depending on available licences, we will either install Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP with OpenOffice 2.0, or Linux with OpenOffice 2.0. All systems will be delivered with English language software only. Here we also ask you to donate your software licenses (and accompanying certificates).
Q: Why Linux?
A: We want to deliver properly licensed software only. As commerical software licenses often cost more than the value of the equipment itself, we have no other option than to use freely available software.
Q: Why do we need to sign the declaration?
A: We put a lot of effort into this program, and want to make sure that donated equipment is used properly, and does not end up either being unused, or being used for other purposes than intended. Unfortunately, misappropriation of goods is still rampant in the Philippines, so we need people to be aware that we cannot and will not tolerate that.
Q: How long do we need to keep the equipment?
A: We normally require that the equipment will be used for the stated purpose for a period of two years. After that, the equipment may be sold, reused, or disposed of, and the organisation can apply for a newer equipment.
Q: We are a religious charity organisation, can we apply for computer equipment?
A: Yes, as long as your organisation subscribes to paragraph 2 of the declaration, which, among others, requires that your activities are to the benefit of people irrespective of their religious affiliation.
Jeroen Hellingman