On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 4:25 PM, aki <aki275@googlemail.com> wrote:
There is an on-going discussion on the kictanet list about proposals to completely ban used computers. IMHO, I'm against the ban and the excuses about e-waste or otherwise do not justify a complete ban on used computers. The used computer market has to supplement the new machines market. As an example, about 3 years ago , I wanted a server to do some test deployment before going on a new system. I bought an old compaq server from Evans company, though have never met him. The compaq server helped me quite alot and ran well for about 2 years before it outlived its function so I gave it to a friend who used it to do his test deployment.
All I'm saying, without the option to buy a cheaper server, my test project would not have seen any attempt as getting a new one was not a priority. In a lot of ways, the used computer market has helped many kenyans get IT skills, and there was a time when clones used to dominate the end user market as larger names were only interested in corporate markets. I personally feel that we should not forget the used computer market, how it has helped and made it possible for many. I'm sure it has helped plenty on this list too. I think we need to show some support to the used computer market by echoing our concerns about such a ban.
I hope Evans can make a very strong case against the proposed ban. Is there anyone on this list who has benefited from used computers, share you thoughts. ( BTW, I'm not an importer of such equipment etc. Am just sharing my views on this list ).
Me thots.
Rgds.
Isn't reuse one of the strategies for managing waste? Banning old computers completely doesn't make sense. What the government needs to do is to set up a regulation regime, so that the eventual recycling and disposal phases can be done safely. This may include imposing a special duty on older imports nearing their end of life, and making sure that this money goes towards recycling plants. Recycling and disposal plants could actually generate jobs and profit for us in the third world. You can find more at the following Wikipedia entry: < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_hierarchy>. Joseph.