Potentially big project ehMac.ca to be a part of... Some questions

ehMax · Mar 14th, 2011, 10:37 PM

Hi everyone, I've been in talks with several people about a potentially very big, exciting charity project that would involve putting used Macs into the hands of underprivileged people, both here in Canada and abroad in 3rd World countries. There's already been a pilot project, that went really well.

I'm REALLY excited about this on how both ehMac that community and myself personally can get involved.

We're just in preliminary stages of talking / planning this all, and some bright, like-minded individuals are getting together to discuss further plans. I'll have more details and will share successes of the pilot project soon, but for now, I wanted to gauge interest on one particular area...

A lot of us upgrade our Macs after 2-4 years of use. I'm wondering, what would it take for ehMacians to donate their used Mac to a very good cause? (Assuming once you had all the details, you agreed it was a good cause)

Please fill out the attached Poll with the ideas that most resonate with you.

Please post any comments, ideas or questions below!

Macfury · Mar 14th, 2011, 11:35 PM

This may not be useful data. but any Mac I've owned has been in heavy use 2 to 4 years after purchase. The next purchase is financed through a sale of older equipment that is not going to circulate to other family members. At this point, the only Apple equipment I would have available to donate would be in G4 territory--useless to most charities. It's only still here because it was in use up to a year ago.

macpablodesigns · Mar 14th, 2011, 11:36 PM

I was looking at doing something similar before I had moved last June on Vancouver Island, I was looking at getting all computers for underprivileged kids and installing edubuntu and giving the computers away.

Kazak · Mar 14th, 2011, 11:45 PM

I chose #3. About 95% of the stuff I get rid of goes to organizations that come to the house.

ehMax · Mar 14th, 2011, 11:46 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Macfury
	This may not be useful data. but any Mac I've owned has been in heavy use 2 to 4 years after purchase. The next purchase is financed through a sale of older equipment that is not going to circulate to other family members. At this point, the only Apple equipment I would have available to donate would be in G4 territory--useless to most charities. It's only still here because it was in use up to a year ago.

This usually has been the case for myself and I'm guessing for quite a number of people as well. Hoping if ehMacians who are in this boat, and see the project as a good one, will perhaps still donate a few dollars to it.

I'm wondering if some good incentives were offered, like a tax receipt for the full real current value of the equipment (Giving I believe about 40% of the value through tax savings) or any of the other things mentioned, how much interest there would be to donate 2-4 year old Macs. Or at least... which of the ones mentioned would provide the most incentive.

smashedbanana · Mar 15th, 2011, 12:45 AM

It would be great if this could happen, and of course that it worked well

In my experience people (and most especially corporations) aren't looking for an incentive. People are more interested in the convience. Macs are becoming e-waste too unfortunetly. I have worked with some organizations locally and when their programs don't make it easy for people to donate then they don't.

I recently got offered an entire office's worth of G4 Lampside imacs (50+) and I had to refuse them. The cost to move them and store them was prohibitave. I did take 4 though.

Your concern about scrubbing data is a concern though organizations who do recycle care about. Heck the government pays dedicated "recyclers" to collect their machines and scrub them. All in the name of convience.

Anyways, I would be interested in contributing. Time, promotion of the program, whatever I can.

Dr.G. · Mar 15th, 2011, 11:08 AM

Personally, since it would be too costly to ship Macs from NL, I personally just clean up the hard drive and donate them, along with my education software, to local schools and pre-schools. I have my Apple IIgs and loads of educational software, donated to a local elementary school, an old Apple IIe which was given to me (although I had one and will NOT part with that), which I gave to a local pre-school along with some early childhood educational software, and my MacLC II to a local immigrant group, along with my printer. All are still in use, which makes me glad.

rgray · Mar 15th, 2011, 11:22 AM

Most of my old equipment makes its way down the family tree and amongst friends in need. What doesn't go there is given to local charities or at least charitables located locally where i also donate my time to support those machines and their users. After that there is pretty much nothing left. Personally I prefer to donate locally or in my 'circle' where I can see the results and get a tangible feel for what I am doing.

SINC · Mar 15th, 2011, 11:47 AM

Same here. I always donate my old Macs to people I know or more often want to convert from troublesome PCs. It's a good idea for those who can use it, but it doesn't fit my situation at all. I prefer to keep my local programs going.

ehMax · Mar 15th, 2011, 11:59 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by rgray
	Most of my old equipment makes its way down the family tree and amongst friends in need. What doesn't go there is given to local charities or at least charitables located locally where i also donate my time to support those machines and their users. After that there is pretty much nothing left. Personally I prefer to donate locally or in my 'circle' where I can see the results and get a tangible feel for what I am doing.

	Quote:			Originally Posted by SINC
	Same here. I always donate my old Macs to people I know or more often want to convert from troublesome PCs. It's a good idea for those who can use it, but it doesn't fit my situation at all. I prefer to keep my local programs going.

Thanks, that's great feedback. I'll put that mentally in the category of "Supporting local programs"

Makes me think of an idea of finding ehMacians to help facilitate local programs as well, in situations if there isn't a program already established, or maybe helping bring attention to reputable local program already established.