Coordinators Report for Sept, Oct and Nov 2008
A fairly steady few months. Less computers out then we'd like but we have been really busy all the same.
The highlight has most certainly been the Melrose St Highrise public access network deployment. Our Work for the Dole folks set up five computers and configured them as a public access network. Mohan helped tweak our special refresh scripts so they would work in Ubuntu. Just last week, after technical difficulties with Telstra, the internet was put on at the site. This has really enthused the residents – many are happy they no longer have to go to the library. Training takes place next week.
We also imaged some computers for Gordon St Highrise in Footscray. Like Darebin and Melrose St this group had also heard of our work. Footscray is not quite ready to go yet – we'll be looking to complete that project in the new year.
We had our AGM in November. Four new members joined the committee, welcome David Paraskevakis, Jeremy Murphy, Richard Marshall and Peter Baker.
We've also had some new volunteers coming along on Fridays and Saturdays. Welcome to Jeremy, Gabriel, Sam and Lasitha. Gabriel, Sam and Lasitha have been helping out with technical tasks while Jeremy has been invaluable at the front desk. At the moment we have enough technical volunteers and are only looking for volunteers who can help at front desk. Even our Work for the Dole program is full and has a waiting list to get on to it.
Donations have been received from Monsanto, Vision Australia, Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, S2Net, ESS Super, Victoria University, mecu as well as other companies and individuals. Just this past month we have had over 200 computers donated!! We are at capacity and really can't fit much more in.
Our new website has gone live and looks great. Many thanks to Jan and our usability testers for getting the site online. Ongoing work is underway to move all of our content across from the documentation site – special mention to Jan's friend Kaye for helping with this.
Often people ask about this, so at the end of this report I have included an estimate of what it costs to run Computerbank each month. This does not take any WFD funding or WFD expenses into account.
Edit: I forgot to mention this first time around but sadly, goodbye to Eric Yeomans. He recently passed away. Eric volunteered for Computerbank when we were at Rosslyn St. He will be missed by many.
Computers Out
Numbers and Groups
September 30; includes 6 to LUV for Software Freedom Day
October 34; includes 2 to Gordon St Highrise in Footscray
November 103; includes 64 hallway computers to a person starting up a business under the NEIS scheme, 5 computers to Melrose St Highrise in North Melbourne and 4 to Melkites Catholic Church.
Year TD: 464 + 20 ebay laptops and pc's
Income
September
Total non-grant income was $5798.67, this includes ING interest of $333.71 and $2.92 from westpac. A grant payment of $7916.48 was also received.
October
Total non-grant income was $6437.23, this includes ING interest of $336.53. A grant payment of $4962.47 was also received.
November
Total non-grant income was $5246.72, this includes ING interest of $246.72. The drop in interest is due to a drop in interest rate for the account. A grant payment of $7916.48 was also received.
Account Balances as of December 2nd 2008:
ING: $64,638.38
Westpac: $ 3,168.34
Total: $67,806.72
Estimated costs to run Computerbank each month
Core Costs
Rent $2832.50
Electricity $350.00
Internet $79.95
Phones $130.00
Water $100.00
Rates $200.00
Sundries $100.00
Insurance $100.00
Pickups/fuel
$1000.00
Subtotal
$4892.50 -> lets say $5000
NON WFD Staffing
Kylie – 1 day a week
$820.00
David – 6 hours a
week casual $640.00
Clae – casual as
needed
Subtotal $1460.00
TOTAL $6352.50 -> lets say $6500
