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<DIV>This email follows from James Nguo's email on Refurbished computers: I agree that the matter merits further consideration by the group.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I will therefore attempt to raise all issues relating to this in point form for your quick perusal. However, i strongly urge you all to give the below issues indepth consideration where the policy is concerned and have appended below the link to research reports done by Schoolnet Africa on this issue.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>1)There are differences between <STRONG>Refurbished computers and recycled computers:</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Refurbishing:</STRONG> refers to the process of testing, trouble-shooting, repairing and, where necessary upgrading a used PC to enable productive re-use. While they are second hand computers/used computers, they are distinct in that they have undergone this process.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Recycled</STRONG>: refers to the decommissioning and disassembly of end-life computers into their component parts and the process of reclaiming the composite metals, glass and plastics for re-use in other products, thus minimizing landfill and associated waste and pollution</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The above therefore needs to be distinguished from:</DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG>a dumped computer</STRONG>: A computer not suitable for use and has been deemed to have completed its 'life'. There have been some some cases where our Western counterparts and even NGO's have seen these as being of benefit to developing countries. These are redundant computers and that needs to be clear in the policy as non-acceptable. Africa is not a landfill !!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>When 'we' therefore speak of A <STRONG>'second hand'/used</STRONG> computer we should be careful to note what 'we' are talking about. From the above, a second-hand /used pc <STRONG>can therefore be one the above</STRONG> and that <STRONG>distinction </STRONG>needs to be clearly defined.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2) The <STRONG>type of PC</STRONG>/Second-hand/used computer needs to be defined with the <SPAN class=013430309-03052005> <STRONG>"limits</STRONG>" being placed on <STRONG>low specification pcs</STRONG>. </SPAN><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>If that is the case, which it should be, then the following needs to be considered:</SPAN></DIV>
<UL>
<LI><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>Are un-refurbished PCs low specification pc's?</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>What limits should PC's have: P11 or P111? </SPAN></LI></UL>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>I point out the above for two reasons:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>First, different organizations and NGO's have differing definitions on the type of PC they donate. This information should always be made available to the end user. Many do not accept anything below a PI1. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>Second, where private companies and countries donate PCs. The 'life' of the PC needs to be known to avoid dumping situations </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>3) Should we put a <STRONG>criteria on where PCs are refurbished</STRONG> or leave this open?</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>Which ever way both have different arguments:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>-There is an opinion that when the donar takes responsibility for refurbishment before point of entry, then the computers come in ready to <SPAN class=013430309-03052005>be put to 'immediate, productive and sustainable' use. There also tends to be some assurance on the 'life' span of the computer and ownership for the quality of refurbishing done.</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>-On the other hand where refurbishing is done at 'point of entry' , this is seen to build and provide technical skill and capacity.</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005><SPAN class=013430309-03052005></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>There other issues such as maintenance and once end of 'life' takes place what happens...</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>However, for policy making, i believe the above definitions and issues need to be considered and not left as a "blanket'.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>I draw your attention to the report done by schoolnet Africa on this issue:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005><A href="http://www.schoolnetafrica.net/1304.0.html">http://www.schoolnetafrica.net/1304.0.html</A>. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>The report covers all the above and more and i highly recommend it for reading.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>Best wishes </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>Monica </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013430309-03052005>
<DIV><FONT face=Papyrus size=2>Monica Kerretts-Makau</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Papyrus size=2>Tel: 61-2-9385 2331</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Papyrus size=2>Fax: 61-2-9385 1040</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Papyrus size=2>Email: </FONT><A href="mailto:m.kerretts@unsw.edu.au"><FONT face=Papyrus color=#0000ff size=2>m.kerretts@unsw.edu.au</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Papyrus size=2>Blog: </FONT><A href="http://www.pampazuka.blogspot.com/"><FONT face=Papyrus color=#800080 size=2>www.pampazuka.blogspot.com</FONT></A></DIV></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><I>-------Original Message-------</I></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV id=receivestrings>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>From:</B></I> <A href="mailto:kictanet@kictanet.or.ke">Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Date:</B></I> 04/28/05 23:16:55</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>To:</B></I> <A href="mailto:kictanet@kictanet.or.ke">'Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet'</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Cc:</B></I> <A href="mailto:alex@baobab.co.ke">Alex_BaoCom_email</A></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Subject:</B></I> ___________</DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Limits should be placed on importing refurbished computers. Appropriate</DIV>
<DIV>recycling facilities should be established for disposing of used computers</DIV>
<DIV>which may contain toxic substances such as mercury.</DIV>
<DIV>___________</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I think we should be able to define what we mean by refurbished instead of a</DIV>
<DIV>blanked limit. Refurbs have been used for very noble tasks and good examples</DIV>
<DIV>can be seen in the work of Computer for Schools Kenya, ALIN through Baobab</DIV>
<DIV>Communications among others. I hope this was not 'sneaked' for individuals</DIV>
<DIV>interest. The national interests should come first BUT I agree standards for</DIV>
<DIV>refurbs should be set. I believe most refurbs are better than some of the</DIV>
<DIV>clones in the market. I hope this can be corrected.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Best regards</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>James Nguo</DIV>
<DIV>ALIN/BaoCom</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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