Hello Freecyclers!

Thanks to the generosity of several people who have donated elderly Microsoft Windows laptops, I have now have another batch of elderly laptops now with upgraded speed & security, ready to offer to Freeglers/Freecyclers. I don’t generally upgrade laptop hardware, so in most cases these computers will have one or more imperfections such as a dead battery, or keyboard or screen annoyances, or cosmetic damage.

After secure removal of all the donor’s personal data, the vast majority of received laptops were found to be suitable for enhancement & re-use following a software upgrade. In particular, I have replaced their old Windows operating systems with the “Linux Mint” operating system. This serves as a platform for a browser (e.g Google Chrome, or Firefox), free office software, multimedia storage/playback, & potentially thousands of other downloadable free & secure apps.

Unlike Microsoft’s Windows 7, 8, & 10 operating systems, the “Linux Mint” operating system is developed & supported by a large global community of volunteer enthusiasts. These friendly & helpful people are committed to providing operating systems, energised by Mint users needs & ideas for improvement. Mint, though free of charge, is now regarded by many people as a more secure, stable & friendly operating system for home users than the old Windows 7, 8 & 10 systems. Unlike Microsoft, the Mint community do not try to sell products or cater for the more complex needs of businesses. Importantly the Mint operating system is giving new lives to elderly Windows laptops which sadly Microsoft has chosen to prematurely cease supporting, potentially unnecessarily condemning millions of usable laptops to either landfill, or to salvage for their scrap metal value.

Over many years of offering this service, I have found that there are usually more people asking for these laptops than I am able to supply. Some people explain why they want a free laptop & some don’t. Some people explain that even a laptop with particular imperfections (e.g. failed battery, or dodgy keys, marked screen or other cosmetic damage) would suffice.

I therefore now aim to selectively distribute laptops to recyclers taking into account information supplied, e.g:
    • whether the recycler has an old unwanted Windows laptop to donate, potentially for recycling (or has previously donated such a laptop)
    • any known reasons why the recycler would like to be considered for a free laptop
    • whether I can match a particular laptop to the recycler’s stated computing needs
    • whether the Freegler has supplied their phone number.

Barry Newton
somehelp4u2@gmail.com

Laptops (enhanced with the Linux Mint operating system) (Kettlethorpe WF2)