Lions accepting computers

Club is again refurbishing used machines for students

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

— With the beginning of a new school year and the purchase of new school supplies and technology, the Gentry Lions Club is asking those purchasing new computer equipment to consider donating their used computers and laptops to the club to be refurbished and given to students (and their families) who cannot afford to purchase a computer to use for school assignments and research.

Used laptops and desktops are being refurbished by reformatting hard drives and replacing operating systems with one of the many Linuxbased operating systems. The refurbished machines are then made available to students through school principals and counselors.

“Just because a laptop or computer runs slow with its original or upgraded OS, doesn’t mean it can’t work well and run fast with a lighter Linux-based OS,” said club member Randy Moll. “And there is so much open-source software users can download without cost, for just about any needed application.”

The club is accepting used computers up to about 10 years old, but the more recent machines work better for students.

Used laptops and notebooks work even better because they can be taken to the Gentry Public Library and other WiFi hotspots for free Internet access.

“Students and families who cannot afford a computer often cannot afford Internet access either,” Mollsaid. “Being able to give a student a laptop makes it possible for them to make use of the many free WiFi hotspots for access.”

The club also accepts some non-working computers and laptops for parts to repair or upgrade other machines.

For those wishing to donate a monitor only, the club currently has more than enough older-style monitors but can use newer flat-screen monitors to give away with computers. Older ink-jet printers are not usually accepted because the cost of replacement ink is often more than the cost of a new printer.

Anyone wishing to donate a used laptop or computer may contact Moll at 233-0081 or by email at randy@ mollfoto.com.

Opinion, Pages 7 on 08/17/2011