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!

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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!