Message-ID: <199605101505.PAA21808@pipe5.t1.usa.pipeline.com> Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 15:05:28 GMT From: "brendan j. murphy" <mailto:bmurphy@NYC.PIPELINE.COM> Subject: Re: Computers to Africa To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
I don't intend to get into an ongoing polemic on this list because I have far too much else to do. But with regard to the TRS80 computers which Computers for Africa is placing:1. These computers are outmoded, yes, obsolete, no. Some of the TRS80s we have received were in use by US journalists until shortly before their donation. I have heard that journalists filing from the Gulf War using TRS80s were able to keep filing when the high-end laptops of their colleagues ran out of juice in the desert with no convenient wall plug nearby; TRS80s run on four AA-cell batteries. A senior Associated Press manager tells me the agency "husbands TRS80s like hen's teeth" because they are so suitable for exactly the kinds of countries where we want to place them.
2. These computers are destined for specific users for specific tasks -- i.e. journalists filing stories, full stop. Malian journalists are writing their stories by hand and putting them on a bus to file them. I think they will welcome the chance to file electronically. This is appropriate technology, though not the highest-end.
3. This is not junk and we are in no way dumping technology upon African countries. Each TRS80 is being reconditioned to assure it serves its African user long and well. We will follow through with replacement parts and if necessary repairs in the US.
4. Those who say send only high-end equipment are making a big mistake. As the saying goes, the best is the enemy of the good -- if we insist on shipping only Pentiums the result will be that almost nothing will be shipped. Further, I know from my own experience that keeping a high-end computer up and running is expensive. Every few months I spend the equivalent of the per capita GDP of many African countries on peripheral gear and software, etc. How many Africans outside state offices and institutions have enough disposable income to make such expenditures? What happens when the $250 floppy drive burns out or the hard disk crashes?
5. What's important is to enable Africans to start moving up the technology ladder, not which rung they start on. I didn't move up from the TRS80 until 1992, and until last year I used a Toshiba T1000SE with only a floppy drive. Maybe the next step for our program will be to collect T1000SEs -- if people will part with them however behind the times they may be. I still use mine, but see the day coming when we will focus on T1000SEs, which succeeded the TRS80 as the standard traveling journalist's computer.
6. I find it interesting from postings to this list that East Europeans would be delighted to have much of this "junk." The subtext of this debate is the thesis that sending pre-owned computers to Africa is misguided post-colonialism. Personally, I want to send these computers to Africa because I have worked with journalists there, respect them immensely for their dedication and fortitude in the face of massive obstacles, and want to support them.
I'm sure this will generate many responses, which I will read with interest. But I've said all I have to say on this topic, other than to encourage donations of TRS80s and ask that word of this project be spread to potential funding organizations. To contribute a TRS80 or indicate funding interest (funding will be channeled through a qualified non-profit sponsoring organization), send a fax to Computers for Africa at: 212-374-9763.
On May 10, 1996 07:07:58, 'Dr Eberhard W Lisse <mailto:el@LISSE.NA>' wrote:
>At 3:45 PM 9/5/96, Chip Temm wrote:
>
>>3)Where do you (ie, Ndiaye, Afoy, et al) think this stuff is going? Is
>>there someone driving around Africa tossing out TRS80's and 286's in
every >>city and village like some cybernautic Johnny Appleseed? No.
>>Organizations like Mr. Bolden's line up people interested in getting the
>>equipment before they send it- and the lines are long.
>
>And? Many countries take overseas handouts full well knowing that it is
>a waste of meoney, resources and manpower, just because they are gettign
>something.
>
>>I applaud those programs that are doing this successfully. They're not
>>dumping junk on Africa. It's more like the difference between a hammer
and >>a pneumatic nail gun. The hammer may be a bit slower, but it does the
same >>job and does it just as well. To our disgruntled friends I say put
>>together a fundraiser, raise enough money to buy a Pentium120 or a
>>PowerMac8500 (and money for software, training and security) and then
make >>the decision whether to send one "brand new" computer or 10 five-year old
>>computers...
>
>TRS-80s are junk. 286s less so. (10 years ago they were not).
>You can not network TRS-80s onto RFC compliant networks. You might be able
>to get away with 286s (uuPC or SLIP via drivers).
>
>It's FIDO all over again. What's wrong with getting 386s or older Macs?
>
>
>And, I wish to be spared this arrogance from some foreigners who decide
>what is good enough for us here.
>
>
>
>el
>
>
>--
>Dr. Eberhard W. Lisse \ / Swakopmund State Hospital
><mailto:el@lisse.NA> * | Resident Medical Officer
>Private Bag 5004 \ / +264 64 461503 (pager) 461005
(home) >461004 (fax)
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