NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/dc/general/2978

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-20 | 7.7 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!paladin.american.edu!darwin.sura.net!haven.umd.edu!mimsy!carm
From: [e-mail] (Richard Chimera)
Newsgroups: dc.general
Subject: Re: What to do with dead terminals?
Keywords: terminals
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 20 Nov 92 23:27:45 GMT
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Distribution: dc
Organization: U of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science, Coll. Pk., MD 20742
Lines: 172

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Rouben Rostamian) writes:
In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Bill Jensen) writes:
> I have a storeroom here that needs to be cleaned out.  A large chunk of
> what's in it is non-functional terminals, mostly VT100-compatibles like
> Qume QVT102s and Wyse WY75s, and misc. other terminals.  Does anyone know
> of anyplace in the area that would buy them for surplus?  A good many of
> them are probably repairable by a good tech.  I'm looking for ideas or
> suggestions on what to do with these things.

A wonderful, charitable organization exists that would likely accept
your donation of near-functioning equipment.  It is called the
National Cristina Foundation.  Here's info about it excerpted from
Ben Shneiderman's article to appear in the SIGCHI Bulletin:


--------- Donate Computers to NCF --------

In my explorations I came across a wonderful organization called
the National Cristina Foundation.  It was started in 1985 by a
businessman whose daughter has cerebral palsy.  He donated an
Apple to her school and it sparked much activity.  Since then
they've developed a reputable national organization (from their
ad):

  Everyday, all over the country, we're putting computers like
  yours to work helping train people with disabilities, the
  disadvantaged and students at risk.  In time, they become
  people who hum with the skills society needs.  And sparkle with
  the sense of self-fulfillment that comes from being wanted,
  productive members of the community. By sending us computers you
  plan to discard we can help develop this precious human
  resources - the 43 million Americans with differing abilities.
  Machines you write off.  People you can't.

    To Donate computers call:
      1-800-C-R-I-S-T-I-N-A  (1-800-274-7846).

I spoke to Dr. Yvette Marrin and viewed their 15 minute videotape.
I was impressed and my feelings were confirmed by colleagues who
have worked with them.  So if you can arrange for donations of
computers to them or offer your skills in training users,
repairing machines, etc., you will be making a useful
contribution.  They claim to have "reached 50,000 people through
training and educational organizations in over 35 states and 5
countries."

  42 Hillcrest Drive
  Pelham Manor, NY 10803
  914-738-7494
  914-738-1571 FAX


====== Here is his complete article in case you're interested ======

My dear SIGCHI Colleagues:

  The special meeting at CHI92 concerning social issues has
led me to some fascinating discoveries.  I am pleased to report
that there are some effective channels by which you can provide
much needed professional help to make the world a better place.
I will be passing on my findings in the hope that you will pass
thm on to others in your organizations, email connections, etc.
The Clinton-Gore administration is likely to be sympathetic to
such efforts and I hope that SIGCHI can participate (more on
these issues later).

-- Ben Shneiderman

--------- Volunteer to help those in need ---------


SIGCHI computer professionals have skills that are eagerly sought
by community groups, medical clinics, homeless shelters,
neighborhood associations, schools, libraries, museum, etc.  You
can make a difference by volunteering your time to these groups to
help set up internal computer systems, bulletin boards, email,
word processing, databases, etc.

The CompuMentor organization and its affiliates are non-profit
organizations that keep databases of computer professionals and
their personal computer skills (PC, Mac,  database, desktop publishing,
bulletin boards, networks, etc.), and then try to match them with requests
from typically small community non-profit groups (under half million dollar
annual budgets).  CompuMentor has an ongoing need for telecom-savvy mentors
around the country to help nonprofits go online with services like
Handsnet, Peacenet, and CompuServe.  The Executive Director is Daniel
Ben-Horin, and there is an active staff...get in touch with them:

  CompuMentor
  89 Stillman Street
  San Francisco, CA 94107
  [phone]     [e-mail]

They report 1200 placements with 650 nonprofits over the past 6
years, they know what works and they do follow ups.  Their Starter
Package ($10) includes a book called "CompuMentoring" which tells you
how to 'recruit computerists to aid nonprofits in local communities.'

They are supported by foundation grants and modest fees charged to
the community groups, so funding for these groups could be improved
if you know appropriate donors.

A major affiliate is the Development and Technical Assistance Non-
profit Computer Consultants which is active in New Haven and
Hartford, CT.

David Teten, Program Director
Ellen Hanson
  DATA Non-Profit Computer Consultants
  70 Audubon Street
  New Haven, CT 06510
  [phone]  [phone]

Some other affiliates include:

  CompuMentor Chicago  Deborah Strauss    [phone]

  Maryland CompuTeer   Barbara Sweeney    [phone]

  Nonprofit Assistance Program - Boston Computer Society
                       Coralee Whitcomb   [phone]

  CompuMentor, Pittsburgh  Steve Shafer   [phone]

  Delaware Valley CompuMentor Steve Hazzard
                       Mike Feagans       [phone]

If you volunteer, please write about your experience and tell the
SIGCHI community through email or by the SIGCHI Bulletin.  Please
spread the information among colleagues in your organizations.

--------- Donate Computers to NCF --------

In my explorations I came across a wonderful organization called
the National Cristina Foundation.  It was started in 1985 by a
businessman whose daughter has cerebral palsy.  He donated an
Apple to her school and it sparked much activity.  Since then
they've developed a reputable national organization (from their
ad):

  Everyday, all over the country, we're putting computers like
  yours to work helping train people with disabilities, the
  disadvantaged and students at risk.  In time, they become
  people who hum with the skills society needs.  And sparkle with
  the sense of self-fulfillment that comes from being wanted,
  productive members of the community. By sending us computers you
  plan to discard we can help develop this precious human
  resources - the 43 million Americans with differing abilities.
  Machines you write off.  People you can't.

    To Donate computers call:
      1-800-C-R-I-S-T-I-N-A  (1-800-274-7846).

I spoke to Dr. Yvette Marrin and viewed their 15 minute videotape.
I was impressed and my feelings were confirmed by colleagues who
have worked with them.  So if you can arrange for donations of
computers to them or offer your skills in training users,
repairing machines, etc., you will be making a useful
contribution.  They claim to have "reached 50,000 people through
training and educational organizations in over 35 states and 5
countries."

  42 Hillcrest Drive
  Pelham Manor, NY 10803
  914-738-7494
  914-738-1571 FAX

--
  Richard "carm" Chimera, Lab Manager   | A population of sheep will eventually
  Human Computer Interaction Lab, U Md. | beget a government of wolves.
  A.V. Williams Bldg                    |   -- William Sloan Coffin
  College Park, MD  20742-3255    USA   |