My name is Caitlyn, I am a fifteen year old honors student. I am a sophomore at my local High School. My mother is a single parent, I have an Autistic younger brother, and I am the only member of my household with a stable job. Unfortunately, we lack a proper working computer, and it is starting to have a damper on my school work. Does anyone know how I could go about approaching a computer company, or have any link of how I can go about doing so, to get a computer donated to my family? If anyone can lend me a hand it would be greatly appreciated.
2006-11-01 00:35:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
I bet if you write to your local tv or radio stations, they might use your story on the air and give you a nice new computer as a holiday christmas wish. at this time of year, there are lots of companies that like to donate to families that are having difficulties.
2006-11-01 00:40:59 · answer #1 · answered by Jer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a copy of this question you have asked and take it to the library in your area. Also check out the school's resource center and check out computer shops in your area.
Also here is a site called Freecycle. There are thousands of them nationwide where people can either post things they want to get rid of or things they need. It is based on the principle that everything is free. I have used it and it is very good so go see it and see if you have one in your area. Good luck!
http://www.freecycle.org/
2006-11-01 00:42:31 · answer #2 · answered by The_answer_person 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a grand father, and I am a computer geek, I have over 80 computers running on my network. All but three were gifts, donations, found on curb, or in the trash, behind small computer stores... Those are usually slower systems, when run in Microsoft.
I find them on the curb on trash day. People run windows, with the "114,000 Microsoft Virus Definitions", and get some virus, and adware, and Trojans, so the computer runs poorly.
The computer repair shop would help them to clean up the computer, and restore the Microsoft computer, except that it costs about $80 to $150 depending on what is 'broken' and if they even still have their Microsoft license to show!
So, I see new computers and refurbished ones with factory warrantees, starting at $64.00! http://cheaptronicsdepot.com and http://newegg.com for example, and on the curb on trash day. The owners often move to newer, faster computers, and dump their 'old, slow' ones!
America DUMPS 300 MILLION computers each year! In the TRASH! There are too many and when you ask for one, you might get 20 or 30 offers!!! You would be saving the environment, by recycling!
I pick them up, and install the FREE 50X faster Linux, that is exactly what Microsoft uses on their 45,000 computers at the Redmond Campus, on Microsoft.com, Hotmail.com, and MSN.com!
So, a Pentium III 800Megahertz machine, with only 128 Megabytes of RAM, with http://pclinuxos.com installed on the hard drive, runs FASTER than a Pentium 4 - 2,000megahertz computer that is running Microsoft XP Pro!
Free, in the mail, or for Download, is http://ubuntu.org another FAST Linux! Almost any of the 700 worldwide Linux User Groups would certainly know of free used computers for kids!
We are very much into getting computers out to children. If you live in Central Florida, http://leap-cf.org might help, and I certainly would. http://lugww.counter.li.org lists the Linux User Groups, and my contact data is here, at my avatar.
Also, FREE COMPUTERS are often offered on the freecycle web!
http://freecycle.org where I have received and passed on more than 20 systems THIS YEAR to children in your situation! I test them, first! I upgrade if necessary, with more memory, and working CDs, drives... etc.
Sometimes, I get Macs, and laptops, and sometimes the whole kaboodle of a Dell or Gateway system! I also get Corporate donations, off the upgraded networks! And, with the upgrade to new LCD monitors, now, 15 and 17" CRTs are out there in massive numbers! YOU simply need to connect to the 'pipeline' of FREE COMPUTERS!
Join a http://freecycle.org near you, and put out a note,
"Wanted, computer for kid!" and you will also get offers! Just pick them up!
Get your brother one, also, that would be his very own! There are a lot of great games for helping with colors, sounds, and learning to use the computer.
I am putting some into the shelters of the Downes Society here. So, I put the simple and tough ones, with CRT screens, not LCDs and the large trackball devices, as they might take a bit of abuse.
Best of luck in all that! If you or your mom needs help, or advice, just email one of the local Linux Users Groups or me, if you can get to one of our meetings to gather up the stuff!
2006-11-01 01:18:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure where you are from. I work for the municipality where I live and we do have a budget for donating computers to families in your situation. Have you tried to contact your educational system? (i.e. Board of Ed)
Good Luck to you.
2006-11-01 00:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by Hopey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the government or use the ones that are free across the country at most public libraries
2006-11-01 00:46:49 · answer #5 · answered by Shredder 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to any of the major computer websites and email them explain the situation
2006-11-01 00:37:47 · answer #6 · answered by Sara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got a spare computer here that will do the job for you.
2006-11-02 15:23:50 · answer #7 · answered by Waz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go local...Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, see if you can get a local media outlet interested.
2006-11-01 00:39:40 · answer #8 · answered by David B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about posting something on Craigslist.org.
2006-11-01 00:45:11 · answer #9 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋