Actually, what Chris needs is a reliable computer. The secondhand computer he purchased a while back has once again been taken down and I think it's time we helped him with a new computer that's got current anti-virus security, a decent sized hard drive, etc. and that will allow him to reliably get online. I have looked at various solutions, but while you can supposedly purchase a decent bare bones computer online for about $300-$350, by the time it gets delivered it's nearly $500 and if you want a warranty more than 90 days and anti-virus software it's another $100-$150. The Foundation has some funds we can spend, but not nearly enough. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

This forums would not exist if it were not for Chris' efforts. I was ready to pull the plug a few years ago as I didn't have time to moderate the forum properly. Chris accepted the challenge of running the forum and saved this excellent resource we all enjoy and benefit from. He's done an excellent job as moderator in an entirely volunteer effort. He doesn't get paid a dime. About time we gave him a reliable tool with which to do the job.

If all the regulars here pitched in $10-$20 we'd have enough to get Chris a decent computer. It's the least we can all do. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can make a donation by going to http://www.equipped.org/donate.htm VERY IMPORTANT: If you make a donation via credit card, we don't get the full amount, they do charge us to run the card, so a check is better. ALSO, I don't get a report of donations until month's end, but we need to act sooner, so PLEASE email me at donate@equipped.org to advise me how much you donated or the amount of the check you are sending.

Finally, if you or your company has access to computers at a better than normal price and you can help us out, please email me so we can take advantage of any savings.

Thanks very much for your support.

Would paypal work?

Oh- and fix the email address in the above email, I've never heard of equpped.org

Thanks for the heads up on the mistyped email address. Fixed.

Sorry, but no PayPal.

Email and donation sent.

Vince

Done.

I did it by credit card, and added enough to cover the 3% they charge you. Let us know if the actual cost to you is higher than 3%. I do not mind at all adding enough to pay for that.



(FYI, calculate it like this.... Amount to donate = Desired Amount / 0.97, then round up to nearest dollar.)

This is as worthwhile as it gets. My donation computes to a mere 75 cents for every hour I spend on here in just one month. Where else you gonna find a bargain like that (okay, more like 50 cents/hour if I'm completely honest about how much time I'm on here). How many of us spend $20-25 on a piece of preparedness gear? I look at this as another piece of [great] "gear."

Dan

Thanks. 3% is it. It was the best deal we could find.

I'm trying to donate, but JustGive.org seems not to like virtual e-cards.... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

OTOH it's the first time I try to use this system : my actual VISA supports a virtual e-credit card ; when I want to make a purchase, I ask for a single-usage card number (+ validation code). It's supposed to prevent fraudulent usage of my real card number.
But for my first attemp, what's more ... outside the Euro zone, it doesn't look like it's accepted by everybody ........ OR I may have made a mistake, entering the requested info... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Well, I send a mail to their HELP DESK for info on that subject... waiting for the explanation...

If I have to, I'll use my real Visa card info, but I hate to pay for a service which doesn't work <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

---edited ---
i mean I would hate to pay for an e-card, if it doesn't work...
I'm all for helping Chriss to get a new computer... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

A $20 donation has been made on-line covering your 3%.

Rock on Chris!! Keep up the great work.

This is also my somewhat rare chance to thank everyone else who posts to this forum. You have taught me a lot.

Ken

I will try to slip in a stealth donation this evening before the wife catches me. She thinks I spend too much money already!

---

Some hints on getting a good computer setup for cheap:

A barebones system will cost you more than a ready-built one. The barebones I'm talking about require you to buy and install your own ram, harddisk, CPU, etc. While you can build exactly what you want this way, you don't have the economy of scale that manufacturers do.

Check Chris' local area phonebook for PC builders. You can get a cheap computer and save the shipping costs from an online purchase. One such PC builder has multiple locations, http://www.pcclub.com

If you buy online, go to something like Dell's "outlet" store. They have refurbished PCs that are quite cheap. Same warrantee as new. I bought several of these prior to building my own PCs these days. I was never disappointed. They usually ding you on the shipping charges, but sometimes they have specials and you can get a real bargain.

Buy a PC that has "integrated video" also known as "onboard video". This can save a bundle and is perfectly adequate for a web surfing machine. Playing games on a PC thus equipped will be pretty much out of the question.

256Mb ram should cover you for just web surfing stuff. 512Mb max. 1Gb would be overkill.

You don't need a fast processor for web surfing. Stick with the cheaper Celeron over the Pentium if you like Intel CPUs. If you prefer AMD CPUs (I do) then stick with their more budget line of Sempron processors instead of the Athlon.

If you can get the new PC without monitor, keyboard, and mouse - do so. Use Chris' old ones. One thing to check however, some new and cheap PC's do not come with the older PS/2 connectors that Chris' existing mouse/keyboard MAY use. Be sure and check. Keyboards and mice are cheap if you need new ones - about $6 each from online places such as http://www.newegg.com

Unless you're planning on storing lots of stuff on the PC, you don't need a big harddrive. 40Gb would be fine. But these days you can have 80Gb or even 120Gb for only a few dollars more usually.

Forget buying an expensive Norton or McAfee antivirus product. Get a free one (WITH updates) from http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html Long ago I bailed on the expensive antivirus products and now use Avast exclusively on all my computers. This is a GREAT antivirus product!

Forget about buying a commercial firewall too. Save the cash and install Kerio v2.15 instead. Free, and an excellent firewall. http://www.kerio.com/dwn/kpf2-en-win.exe ZoneAlarm makes a free version of firewall too, but I haven't used that one for years and can't comment on it's current implementation.

If you really want to, I think you probably COULD hit that $300 mark for a new PC. If the funds allow, by all means buy this guy a super-killer computer ... to heck with the purchase price!

Frenchy: Those one-use credit cards can come with a caviot. Many vendors will put through a "test charge" before really billing the card. So if you plan to donate $10, and create the card for only $10, then it may get denied because a test charge of a dollar or so was first attempted, and then the one-use card did not have enough remaining money to cover the real $10. You are not actually billed for these test charges, but they count against the maximum amount you allowed for the card. Some merchants even test with the full amount of the purchase, so you have to double the amount you really want to spend when you create the one-use card.

I usually create a card for $10 over what I really need. That goes through most of the time. When it doesn't, I increase the amount on the card to double the expected purchase amount.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd prefer to get Chris something that he doesn't have to deal with personally, service-wise, if something breaks--which it will. He's not a geek, neither am I, and there's a huge advantage to being able to pick up the phone and get someone over to fix it. It's not a good deal no matter how cheap, when you have to take it in to be fixed, then wait until they get around to it. Fine for some, but not fine for "work" when being without a computer just shuts you down. OTOH, no sense paying so much for a warranty/service deal that you could just replace the dang thing.

By bare bones, I am talking about a basic Celeron class computer, 256 MB RAM, standard size HD, etc. not a build it yourself job. As to local built computers, my personal experience with same has been considerably less than satisfactory, as has that of friends and business associates who have tried that route. For better or worse, a name brand with good service rep and warranty is worth a little extra in terms of long term reliability and lower blood pressure. Chris and I have enough challenges dealing with computers as it is. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Donation sent with extra for the %3 CC fee.

oh ! I see....
So, let's start with "COMPUTERS - 101"

"Tthat big board with keys on it, is called a KEYBOARD. You use it to enter information in the computer.

Next week, we will continue with THE MONITOR (aka video aka screen aso...)."

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The MONITOR is the big thing I aim the UZI at, right? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

yes, you might be right...even if I don't see why JustGive.org would need to test the card for. Either they get the money or they don't. Anyway they don't have any product to send, nothing to loose...

see... ??!!??
you already get it ...!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(well... I guess UZI is hebrew for "mouse"... ???!!??)

(I always wanted to try to sell to my gun clug a video trainer eliminating the need for long distance ranges: you just put a monitor on a table at 5m, and depending on the distance you want to train for, the screen shows a target of the appropriate apparent size. Wonderful for city's club, where a 50m range is not possible, don't even think about 100 or 300m...
But they didn't want my idea... they say the cost for the replacement of the monitor would be a nuisance ... go figure !

Well, now THAT explains why the Doug Ritter survival kits are so sorely lacking in the basics: Anti-static wrist strap, boot floppy, spare harddisk, CD with latest Windows hotfixes...

<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

He certainly does, I know a great shrink................ <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Donation to be made this evening.

Geeez. You guys are hard on your gear. Chris does know that little thing on the front isn't a cup holder, right?

?? .. do you mean the retractable beer can holder or what ??? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, that's a pretty cool idea. Use butcher paper as a screen and a video projector. You can get decent ones for around $1000. Heck, I might try it... if I could figure out a way to determine the location of the holes, I could play Quake or Unreal, but using a real gun...

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Toster pastries don't go in the slot on the front of the computer. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

No wonder ETS has a one billion dollars computer budget...

...can't...breathe... barely... type... too...funny..

Seriously, ROTFLMAO.

The shiskabab one is awesome.

Oh, man, this is the day I sent the car incurance payment in two months early. So much for getting ahead of myself. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Sorry, Chris. If we are still taking money in a few weeks (I pray not), I will chip.

I'll chip in even if we aren't, I owe this place that much. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What I can do, is pimp the guys we buy from here. We just got 200 off-lease machines from these guys, about a year old in specification, which is certainly powerful enough for anything but hard-core gaming and CADD.

www.hcditrading.com

Screens are available from them, but if he has one, he can reuse it. AV can be free- there are a couple of good ones, I've used AVG. The best household firewall, IMHO, is ZoneAlarm, also free. OpenOffice from Sun is very comperable to Office, and can handle everything that Office makes except for Access, and again, is free. If you get something sans-OS, and have a legal copy of XP, you can toss it in- that will save you a little.

As for tech support, are there any ETSers who are geeks around Chris? If I wasn't on the east coast, I'd be willing to do what I could over the phone.

My computer was out of action for a couple weeks recently, so I know how frustrating that is. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Check is in the mail.

I have bought well over 40 computers from Dell over the years, business and personal. My advice is to call them, not online, talk to a rep, and do a lease through the Foundation. The entity expenses it, and it's is the best deal around.

Doug/Chris:

The check is in the mail !

Always wanted to have a reason to say that <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Michael

Donation +3% given.

Thank you Chris!!!!!!!!!! I love this forum! May your computer be capable of playing the newest games! You rock!
-NIM

Thanks for the suggestion. Will definitely look into it. Not sure we'd be able to get a lease with no credit history, but the worse they can say is no. Will also discuss it with the accountant. Expensing stuff matters a lot when you have cash flow and profits to deal with. When you have neither, not sure if it makes as much sense. <g> I'm pretty much a cash sorta guy except for cars and homes. Things were a bit different when we had a going business.

I'll mail a check tomorrow, since I am at 85233, it should get there fast enough!
I highly recommend going to www.gotapex.com, click on the Dell desktop deals and it takes you to the best deals Dell has on new systems. Changes regularly. Right now they have Dimension 4700 with a free 17" LCD all for $429. You can customize it, for added cost, still great deals on Dells.
BTW, thanks to you, Chris and all the great contributors to this excellent site! Cheers!

Thanks for the suggestion, and contribution, I'll check it out.

I have some spare CPUs and quality ram I could donate. They are not top of the line new but they aren't slow either.

XP1800+ and XP2200+ as well as 768mb ram and a brand new motherboard that needs to be RMA'd to work.. Probably have almost enough parts to finish the system. I can pre-load good virus scan software and all the best spyware software as well if he wants me to build him a system w/some of my parts and some new parts of his.

If he wants I can also volunteer to build the system if he wants to purchase all new components.

interesting, i will try to try that. First find a place that sells them, most are just national verions of this principle....

Todd,

Thaks much for the offer. Let's see how the donations go, money-wise, and I'll be in touch.

Frenchy,

I'd guess that your's is a French keyboard.

A few years back, before laptops were common, I was working in our Angers plant and had to use one of the local computers. Using the French keyboard just about killed me. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Monitor and print screen function:

UZI's are for wussies. I'd prefer a Henry repeater (as in rifle), myself. I've been watching WAY too much "Wild West Tech."

I'd send in some dough, but with school taxes, condo fire insurance, my 10-year-old, 149,000-mile Ford Taurus needing a new motor mount, saving up for a new used car, and adopting "Arnie," our 12-year-old pomeranian-chihuahua who suffered from a two-day bout of explosive diarrhea (to the tune of a $250 vet bill), I am tapped for this pay period. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It's always something, isn't it.

-- Craig

I do not have the money know but I can send some later. How long do you expect to continue for this specific cause?

(Regarding photo of "impaired" monitor)

Was that one of the monitors that comes with instructions to :"Place bullet here"?

Ever have a pay period where every monthly bill, quarterly bill, and annual bill comes due all at the same time? Sheesh.

I truly enjoy my life right now, yet I have never had less cash in my wallet than I do at this moment. Plus, I have about five bucks in my checking account. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

Yep !

it's a normal keyboard ! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Can't send as much as I would like to right now, but will send a check in the next day or so.

Donation sent, Doug, not a lot, but more to come later.

Every little bit helps and is appreciated. Of course, more is better as well. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks to all who have contributed, it's a very good start...

it looks like the Visa card I specially asked for, in order to use the "attached" e-card for ordering on the Internet, is bloked for Internet applications !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to ask for it to be validated for Internet usage ... !!??!!

I should be able to try again on friday or saturday......
let's hope it will work fine, so I can put some money in Chris computer...

If it's too late for Chris, well... I'm sure Doug will find a good use for that money anyway... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If there are still people who'd like to contribute, but can't afford $20, right now, just give whatever you can. The minimum through justgive.org is $5. This doesn't sound like much, but if 50 people give $5, ETS gets $242.50. You can get a computer from Dell for around $300. With what already been contributed, we'd almost certainly be there!

I wouldn't worry about looking cheap, either. If all the members who've posted in the last year just gave $1, we'd probably have more than enough. It's not the individual amount, it's the number of contributions.

... and what's the MAXIMUM amount allowed ...????..... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Whaddya got? <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yeeeesss !! it works ....
Donation done !

Small contribution done online today. Hope it helps.

Is this worked out yet? Is there a snail mail address for donations?

I'd say desktop computers are too big a hassle. I haven't used one at home in many years. There are lots of good basic laptops in the $500 range so if you can get enough donations to cover one, that's a far nicer approach.

whatever the computer, I hope a picture of Chris and his brand new computer will be posted ... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I strongly avoid staying away from those cleap laptops unless you can accept all the limitations. Most people who buy them end up being disapointed and frustrated when the hinges and keyboard wear out after a year, then they burn a hole in their desk because they run so hot and are too big and heavy to carry like a laptop. They get those and think they got a rela laptop then try to use it as one and find out it won't work. I'd think that with moderating a forum Chris is not the typical grand mas who only uses it for an hour once a week to check e-mails from the grandkids, hes going to need something that will hold up to more use.

Snail mail address is located at

http://www.equipped.org/donate.htm

under "SEND YOUR CHECK TO"

Thanks for your support and help.