[kictanet] the used computers debate

Tue Mar 9 12:29:49 EAT 2010

Hi,

As I have said many a times before, no one ever died from using a previously owned computer, bring them in be it P1 or DuoCore what we need is to increase the number of computers out there not the value of each computer.

90% of people who carry a smartphone (e.g. blackberry or Palm) utilise less than 5% of the capabilities the same applies for the user of a DuoCore PC.  Lets stop being elitist least the masses behead us as befell Marie Antoinette (google for details).  Fine here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_them_eat_cake I only wish it would be as easy to find the meaning of kubafu. 

A school will be more likely to leave a class 3 student unattended with a 3,500/- P1 than with a 45,000/- duocore computer.  Spread the computer around literally sore then like seed those that land on fertile ground will germinate and create great developers the rest, well thats a topic for another day.

Lets get back to basic"s", "hello world"

 Robert Yawe
KAY System Technologies Ltd
Phoenix House, 6th Floor
P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
Kenya

Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

________________________________
From: "ikua at lpakenya.org" <ikua at lpakenya.org>
To: robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Tue, 9 March, 2010 10:39:32
Subject: [kictanet] the used computers debate

So we are back to this debate about used computers. seems like the Ministry will not relent on this.

The story in the business daily has a lot of misinformation and half truths coming from the Ministry. To say that the price of new computers has come down to affordable levels is to be economical with the truth. How much is a new Dell or HP computer? About 45k. The lower priced models like Mecer or Acer will go for about 35k and above for standard specs.
How about a new clone? About 25k. And the lifespan of a new clone? About 3 years, 4 if you are lucky. The warranty on new clones is only 3 months. Used/refurbished computers can give the user upwards of 5 years in good use. Between a new clone made with cheap parts from China and a used computer of a major brand, I would go for the used computer.
With 10k, you have a good low spec used computer. So as a student or a home user, you get easy access to technology. With 15k, you have a powerful used computer with specs like P4 3.0/512mb RAM/80gb HDD. So as a small business which needs to buy 10 computers, or a school or college that needs to buy 40 computers, what would you go for with a limited budget?

Why cant the government regulate the trade in used computers instead of imposing a total ban? The industry will still have jobs for IT technicians, whether its used computers or its assembly of clones. which leads m,e to the question, what happened to the eMado computer? How is it doing as a business proposition? How many have been sold and to whom? How much is it? How many components are being manufactured in Kenya?

We can for instance say  that we will not accept into the country a computer manufactured over 5 years ago, or 8 years, like motor vehicles. Or that we will not accept computers below a certain speed. Clones have much more ewaste than used computers as they die faster. Yet new branded computers are way beyond the reach of the common mwananchi. but again, this has never been about the common mwananchi, inasmuch as noone sees the need to find out what he thinks about such policy decisions.

Regards,
Ikua

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