2005 Computerbank Victoria Annual Report

Kylie Davies - 7th February, 2006

Summary

2005 has been one our our biggest years ever! Some of the things that made it big included sending more than 400 computers out to community groups and individuals (both in Victoria and overseas), preventing tonnes of computers and electronics from ending up in landfill, providing more than 400 hours of Linux end user training, and increasing our revenue by over 100%.

The Big Move

We kicked the year off making modifications to our new home in Victoria St. Then came the big move from Rosslyn Street to Victoria Street. Loads of computers, servers, more than 150 monitors, printers, furniture, paperwork and stacks of other bits and pieces. Even with our army of willing volunteers it took days to move. It was great to dust out the cobwebs and clean out the useless clutter we never knew we even had.

Ecuador Project

In February we collaborated with other global neighbours from http://www.nabuur.com to send 32 computers to Zapotillo, Ecuador. Work for the Dole participants were able to assemble the computers in record time much to the amazement of staff.

Community Group Networks

We set up a thin client network for a new 'sister' computer recycling group called Computers for the Aged and Disabled Seniors. CADS is operated by Bill McPherson and friends and have been established to provide free and low cost basic computers to people in Altona and surrounding areas. Bill is a Computerbank founding member and long time supporter.

We set up another thin client for Darebin City Aged services. This thin client network was placed in the community area of the Holmes St commission flats. The network is still being used on a daily basis. Residents use the computers for word processing, internet browsing, improving typing skills, email and card games. A similar network was provided to the Indigenous Solidarity Network.

The thin client trial at the Footscray Library completed after running for a year. During this time the system required a few minor changes and experienced one hardware fault. The library was very happy with the reliability and stability of the system but decided not to continue with it on the basis that their computers from a closed branch needed relocation.

We configured a huge network for a community media support group, called Community Media Services (CMS). The group are committed to using free and open source software and all reports to date indicate the network is performing well and meeting their needs. Another rather large network was imaged and installed for use by tenants of the Flemington High Rises at the request of the Flemington Tenants Association.

Polished Distributions and User Documentation

Our software development and documentation efforts have continued to improve. Our kick-ass, easy to use Linux distro is possible due to the collaborative efforts of many volunteers. The lean distro for the shop boxes was born at the hands of our newest star recruit, John. The thin client distro, made possible by Ed, and further developed by Con, using our full distro as a basis.

Jan edited all of the recipient documents and the main user guide was revamped and expanded so it is now a 22 page booklet.

Comings and Goings

A great contributor of more than four years, Con Validas, has full time work doing Linux POS setup and support. While Con's help will be missed, I wish him well in his new job. We've also had another volunteer, Glenn, leave for work in NZ. All the best on that big leap too.

John Simpson joins us a permanent part time Work for the Dole Coordinator. John, once a Work for the Dole participant, is now both a volunteer and valuable staff member. We really appreciate John's extensive knowledge and ability to quickly learn new skills.

Connectivity for Refugees Project

We have become the preferred partners of the Engineers without Borders Connectivity for Refugees program. Further information about the program can be found here: http://www.ewb-aus.org.au/project.php?pid=1013

Software Freedom Day

Our inaugural Software Freedom Day went as well as any other in the country. We had around 50-60 folk drop by to learn more about Free and Open Source Software. We have plans to make SFD 2006 even bigger and better.

Increased Revenue

We were able to increase our non-grant income from $7,473 to $18,389. This is a phenomenal increase, attributed to better e-waste recovery practices, opening a surplus shop, computer add ons, training, and consulting.

Better Computer Donations

This year will be known as the year of the Pentium III. Many of our donations are now Pentium III. This has resulted in a better, and more useful quality system for our clients.

In addition to the many individuals who donate computers, our donors have included; Marsh, GHD, CSR Emoleum, Open Learning Australia, Wizards Computers, Orygen Research Group, Powercor, AFL Players Association, Macquarie Bank, Australia Red Cross, Ferrier Hodgson, Corporate Express, Gillette, Shedden Uhde, United Group and Lotus Corp.

Grant Funding

In addition to the Federal Government Work for the Dole funding, we received a grant of $1800 from Linux Australia. The grant from LA will contribute funds towards printing our user guide, as well as increasing the number of training sessions we run each month.

Other Supporters

Big thanks to Obsidian our website hosts and also to Infrae for help tweaking our Silva instance. Linux Australia continues to provide hosting for our mailing lists, as well as the http://www.computerbank.org.au domain.

Last Word

All this could not be possible without the help of volunteers, Work for the Dole participants and staff. To all the people who contributed in 2005, many thanks for your efforts, commitment and dedication - 2005 at the new Computerbank was a rocking year!

Other Figures of Note

• 8 closed applications
• 42 modems given out (cf ~ 23 in 2003)
• 6 ADSL connections
• 140+ recipients/users trained (more than 400 hours of training!)
• More than 60 Work for the Dole participants introduced to Linux and open source software
• Approximately 1600 computers recycled back to the community from Victoria since beginning
• Approximately 1650 computers recycled in the South Pacific since beginning

2005 Recycling Figures

• 650kgs of motherboard
• 13.29kg CPU's
• 107kgs aluminium
• 306kgs of copper
• ~20,000kgs of mixed steel, monitors and other electronic waste