We don't have pictures on all of these yet, but in September we distributed 24 computers (5 laptops plus 19 desktop computers):
We are rapidly running out of the immediately usable computers from the large number of machines received from Texas and the machines we received from St Francis Hospital so it takes a lot more time to try to determine whether the machines we have left can be fixed, perhaps using parts from another machine, or whether a given machine should be scrapped in an environmentally safe manner. One example of what we are doing now was reported on September 14 where we were able to take six laptops which were totally not operational, and by swapping parts from one to another were able to end up with two completely operational laptops, plus one more that is ready for an operating system to be transferred to it.
It would be nice to be able to report large numbers of delivers, such as the 124 computers we distributed in August but that does not mean we are not doing equally good work as we process the problem machines, and I have been told that we may be receiving 200 computers from another medical organization in Tulsa in the next week or two. And even if we don't receive those computers, I know that The Boss will see to it that we receive machines when He knows that we will be receiving valid requests for machines.
One thing which I have found very frustrating is that when potential recipients come by asking for machines, we tell them that the one thing we ask for is that within a few days of our providing machines to them that we want them to provide us with photographs showing the computers in use, plus a writeup describing how the machines are being used, and they always tell us there will be no problem meeting that request, yet once we have provided the computers we have to remind them over and over to get us the pictures so that we can show people on the HelpingTulsa website what we are doing with the machines we get. There is usually a "good reason" why they can't provide them quickly, but it is certainly frustrating. We are still waiting on pictures from several of the August deliveries, and in a couple of cases, for deliveries made in previous months.
If you would like to volunteer to work on some of the donated computers, fixing them up so we can donate them to various schools, churches, and non-profit agencies, give me a call at 622-3417 or email me and we will come up with a time convenient for you to come over.
For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here