Wisconsin ARES/RACES

FREE COMPUTERS FOR ARES/RACES LEADERSHIP OFFICIALS

By Stan Kaplan, WB9RQR () (WI ARES/RACES Digital Net Manager)

Did you know that if you are an EC or above, you can receive one or more free computers for use by your ARES/RACES group or for use in other ARES/RACES applications of your choosing? Moreover, all of these computers uniformly have a fresh, new copy of the operating system installed, along with other useful programs and even some ham software and utilities.

Over the past 15 years, a number of individuals and agencies have donated computers to me for ARES/RACES use. I typically receive computers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the government of Ozaukee County and various other institutions and private individuals. The refurbishing process begins with a thorough cleaning, and then a check of all the hardware. Anything that is defective is replaced from parts in stock. Then the hard drive is completely digitally wiped using a Department of Defense-approved method. Every byte on the hard drive is changed to a one, then a zero, from the start to the end of the platters. This process is repeated a second, then a third time. This takes several hours, and when it is done, the hard drive is back in the digital state it was in when it left the hard drive factory, with no data of any kind remaining or recoverable. This wiping is always done with every computer, to protect both the donor and the recipient (no data, viruses, spyware or other malware can survive this process). When wiping is finished, the drive is re-partitioned, formatted, and a fresh copy of Windows XP Professional is added along with all updates (currently well over 100) from the Microsoft update site. Also added are ham and other utility programs that are essential or helpful in the computer's intended use. After the hard drive is optimized and defragmented, the computer is released for use. All machines run at a speed that is fine for our digital modes. Donated machines that are slower than optimum for our use are recycled after removal of useful parts. Really! Both the metal and the plastic are placed in a recycling program.

Computers come in sporadically, and I rebuild them as they come in. If you are an EC or above, simply email a request directly to me at the address listed above, requesting a laptop or desktop. If you are not an EC or above, have your EC send the request. If I have a completed machine in stock, I will get back to you to make arrangements for pickup or delivery. If I am out of stock, your name goes on the laptop or desktop want list to be filled when more come in and one is ready. Orders can usually be filled in a month or two and are filled in sequence from the want list. Computers become the property of the ARES/RACES unit to which they are delivered. ECs, you are perfectly free to put a computer in the home of one of your members for ARES/RACES activities.

Why do I do this? I have been working with computers since 1980, and even taught Computer Architecture at ITT for a couple of years after retiring from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Thus, I have the expertise to do all this. I enjoy it and consider it part of my contribution to Wisconsin ARES/RACES and the public welfare. To date, I have distributed about 500 computers to ARES/RACES units in the state.