Revised with new information as of May 6, 2009


 
Resources For Older Computers

A LOT CAN BE DONE WITH
JUST A LITTLE TECHNOLOGY

 
Yes, you CAN use that old, old computer for many, many activities: There are even still old versions of freeware out there that can let many old computers download and watch short videos, listen to the radio and music via the Internet, and play some basic games (I still love Tetris).

The Web site you are now looking at was originally created and maintained with a Macintosh Classic II -- that's a small black & white screened computer with just 8 MB of internal RAM! I used the software that came with the machine, as well as shareware and freeware I downloaded from the Internet, to create the original version of this web site, and the site was quick to have thousands of visitors each month.

I upgraded to a new computer -- a Performa 6300 -- in 1996, because I needed a bigger monitor, more external memory, and newer versions of database and desktop publishing software, because I was working full-time from home. It was my first total upgrade ever. And I have to say that I missed that reliable workhorse of a Mac Classic every time my Performa crashed, which was often. After more than four years, I upgraded to an iBook, and as of November 2007, I'm still using it -- it reminds me of that Mac Class II in its personality, reliability and performance. I do much more with it than most computer users do with their latest and greatest toys.

Here's a comment from an AmeriCorps member manager in an elementary school. The comment was posted to CNSTech, a discussion group for technology issues and information for Corporation for National Service staff and volunteers

"we have a pile of old Mac SE computers and we love them. We have them hooked to an ancient laser printer through a local talk network. They make wonderful word processing machines for kids, and they are the most problem-free computers we own.
One of my favorite testimonials about the value of older computers comes from a user in Montreal.

Also, as was pointed out by the article "How Much Technology is too much?" in the Washington Post (10/6/97):

Software is evolving faster than the hardware and system software needed for its operation, application software such as word processing are slow to reflect the best features the operating environments have to offer, and there's a growing disparity between computer power available in the box and computer power actually used. The focus on issues of productivity shouldn't hinge on faster processors or more memory, instead it should involve creative and efficient use of computers. This "gap of delivery" is probably because it's simpler to announce great leaps in technology than for users to realize the actual benefit.

That was written in 1997, almost 10 years ago -- it's even more true now.

And yet more comments on older computers from a list I read:

I seriously dispute the need for $2,000 computers. Particularly for those of us working in antipoverty and community service that is a terrible waste of money that can better be spent on stipends for the underemployed and unemployed to give them the freedom to learn. What you need in a computer depends entirely on what you are going to do with the computer. BUT that said, it is possible to work with an expandable $300-400 computer and do virtually anything you want to do. I know, I am working on a $300 nonexpandable at home, so I am avoiding that trap with the computers we purchase for our office and community classrooms. Even heavy graphics can be done by uping the RAM and making sure you have a large enough Hard Drive or other access to storage (burnable CD's, ZIP's etc). Until recently we taught everything from beginners to Coldfusion, Cisco, Web Design and Photoshop on Pentium 2's. A low budget computer is a real step up to us.

I have just completed the first of many Computer Buying Clubs for our students. For $150 each student takes home a monitor, a mouse, a keyboard, speakers, and a CPU with modem and 2 USB connections. The CPU is clocked at 133mHz, with 32 megs of RAM (you can upgrade) and about 4 gigs of HD. It also comes with a one year warranty. That's one year of replacing broken parts free, including labor. Although our students may not be able to play Quake or use Auto CAD on these machines, they can surf the web, use Microsoft Office, scan, and print. They can also use the ever growing list of educational software that's available to adult students and their children. That seems like a lot to me. And it does to our students too. That's why they bought them and why other students continue to ask us when the next club will meet again. Disposable computers aside, there are enough low-cost alternatives out there (and organizations like Computers for Schools) to get students on the other side of the "digital divide".

Mission-based organizations, particularly small ones, often don't have the option to buy or to upgrade their computers to the latest and greatest toys on the market. And older computers can't use the latest software and systems version. Luckily, you CAN get a lot out of such older computer systems.

Do NOT be blackmailed by computer and software manufacturers into upgrading your software and operating system whenever they tell you to; before you upgrade anything, find out YOURSELF how such an upgrade is going to affect all of your other software, particularly if you are being pressured to upgrade your operating system. You can do this by finding an online information source that speaks in a language you can understand -- it may be an online magazine, it may be an online discussion group, but there is at least one out there for you, if you look.

And do not believe the arguments of people who say that donations of used hardware and software are "useless" and even "condescending" to those to receive such. I get as much out of my "lower end" machine and "old" resources as most people do with the latest and greatest toys, and others can too.

I have reposted a few essays (with permission) and created some tip sheets on my Web site to offer support for using older computers (while they are Macintosh specific, there are general ideas in these essays that can be applied to any older computer; specific IBM/Clone information is farther down on this page):

 
Choosing an ISP for Your Older Computer

 
Offline Resources

If you live in a metropolitan area, check the phone book for used software outlets. Also, call the local Goodwill -- many are operating computer refurbishing programs, and offer used software at a discounted price.

 
Online Resources

Many companies feature downloadable versions of older software on their Web sites. For instance (last I checked), eudora.com still has old versions of its mail reader on its web site.

There are also these suggested Web sites specifically for users of "older" machines (there are more, but these are my favorite); please note that, for any site that no longer works, simply type in the URL to archive.org:

 
Finding Used Computers & Parts

NOTE: if you buy a used computer, you definitely should contact the original manufacturer and check into buying a service plan for the machine.

 
Build a Fish Tank Out of Your Old Computer Monitor  
A reader who chose to remain anonymous wrote that a another useful purpose of old IBM/clones (but not Macs, as they are, literally, too "cool") "is to put them in rooms, greenhouses, sheds, etc. that need a little heat during the heating season and run a copy of the Distributed.net client. That way, you are heating the space and donating the computer's time to a good cause." That means, however,that the computer has to be connected to the Internet. "An older PC can produce 100 to 200 watts of continuous heat while under load (from the Distributed.net client) and you might not need to by an electric heater. I actually do this to keep my basement a little warmer during the winter."

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