[Imc-tech] Prioritizing Tech Needs

Fri May 4 14:52:44 CDT 2001

I think David's on the money in terms of being careful with the computers 
we get.   From what I understand, Prairienet has a hell of a time getting 
grants for new computers -- it seems there is a very common perception that 
good used computers are easy to get for free and easy to refurb.  This 
seems similar to Molly's experience with CLAM.  Additionally, as we, and 
folks like CLAM and Priairienet have found, the refurb to usability process 
can be slow and frustrating.

The matter here is to do some financial prioritizing, and I think this 
prioritizing is larger than just the Tech group.  Peter has asked for a 
digital camera, several of us see the need to own a digital camcorder or 
two, along with some good computers.  I think we need input from the IMC as 
a whole--via a steering group meeting--about what people see as most 
important and how much money we're willing to put out.

But right now the used computer thing has been a big time sinkhole, and our 
time is valuable and should not be wasted if we can avoid it.

I like the idea of iMacs as our public use stations -- they're quiet, 
compact, and relatively easy to maintain.  For other things like DTP, 
server, a/v editing, I think we need good, cheap, powerful PCs with basic 
interchangeable parts (they could all have the same basic motherboard, 
videocard, etc.), that can all run linux or win2k, depending on application.

Perhaps at next Wed's tech meeting we really need to sit down and figure 
out what we see as priorities and then present this to the steering group 
for discussion.  I volunteer to facilitate this process and put it in motion.

--Paul

At 01:55 PM 5/4/01 -0500, David Young wrote:

>I think the IMC should be choosy about its computers, selecting silent
>computers with a very small footprint and a usable hardware/software
>design. Otherwise the IMC will become an unpleasant to meet or work
>because of computer noise and crowding, and the computers will be
>frustrating for visitors to use and for staffers to assist others.
>
>I think that the iMac is ideal because it doesn't have any cooling
>fans whatsoever, it integrates the CPU and monitor to save space, it is
>not beige, and it is the easiest computer to use.  The worst possible
>computer is just about anything Prairienet will donate, because they
>are relatively large and ugly boxes, beige, noisy, and they run Windows
>... slowly.  There are lots of computers in between.
>
>I know that "beggars can't be choosers," but before you approach anyone
>for donations, make sure you have some sort of criteria for evaluating
>one donor's offer versus another's, and keep some ideal in mind. Make
>sure that you are not using shallow performance/capacity criteria like
>megahertz or number of megabytes, because it's way too easy to meet
>these criteria without getting a computer that's worth using.
>
>Dave
>
>On Fri, May 04, 2001 at 11:59:20AM -0500, Molly Stentz wrote:
> > Well, speaking from a local non-profit (CLAM Center) that has been trying
> > to do this for years (secure this "hot" grant funding), my experience is
> > that it has not been that easy. we have talked to local merchants and
> > businesses. we have talked to funders. Note also Prairienet's ongoing
> > financial woes. While I applaud your optimism, I'd put some energy into
> > parterships with existing groups and a strategy. I'd be happy to discuss
> > this at length sometime. I could have shared the return rate CLAM got on
> > Prairienet computers (very low. lots of time and energy.. sound familiar?)
> >
> > By the way, I haven't mentioned it yet since I am do not have the physical
> > units in from of me, BUT the CLAM Center is due to receive a load of
> > working Pentium grade machines from both the USGS and the UIECU soon. I
> > have requested a few extra in the hopes CLAM can donate them to the IMC.
> > I'll let everyone know once I can go over to pick them up.
> >
> > -Molly
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 4 May 2001, Sascha Meinrath wrote:
> >
> > > has anyone looked into funding opportunities to buy new computers?
> > > technology is a very hot item right now and it should be really easy to
> > > find money for a public computer cluster that will help "span the digital
> > > divide" (as it were).  i think it might be worth our time to contact some
> > > local merchants, explain the mission of the imc, and see if they would be
> > > willing to donate a machine or 10 to the cause.  chambana has no shortage
> > > of computer sellers, surely a couple of them would be willing to 
> donate to
> > > this great pr cause?
> > >
> > > also, i know that there are tons of technology grants out there
> > > (especially for specific projects).  if we sold this as a project to set
> > > up a public computer cluster, we should be able to get funding 
> without too
> > > much hassle.
> > >
> > > what do folks think?
> > >
> > > --sascha
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> >
> > --
> > Molly Stentz
> > ----------------------------------------------
> > Illinois Student Environmental Network (ISEN)
> > 110 S. Race Street, Suite 205
> > Urbana, Illinois 61801
> > 217.384.0830 phone
> > 217.278.2105 fax
> >
> >
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>
>--
>David Young                   On the Job Consulting
>dyoung at onthejob.net     Urbana, IL * (217) 278-3933
>
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