Okay first post. Seems like I am always a dollar short and a day late.

Just so it is understood what it is I do. I take donated computers, from churches and other sources and I make usable desktop systems to give to people in need. I also repair and upgrade desktops without charge.

To enable me to accomplish this without incurring appreciable debt and manage my time I had to organize my endeavor as such:

1. I only help individuals and churches.


2. If I am doing an upgrade I keep the old parts to use in refurbishing a donated computer for someone else. This allowed me to amass a large stock of normally outdated parts. Which are very useful for restoring older systems.


3. If parts are required for a repair, the individual acquires the needed parts and bring them to me so I can install them. I have the time to troubleshoot and research parts but do not have the time to quire them for people. In addition, when I tried to order the parts online for people I ran into problems recouping my money. I am doing this non-profit so money should never change hands.


4. Operating systems are placed on systems legally. If an original disc of a windows operating system comes with a donated computer, I put that on the system. If an operating system is not provided, I use a free distribution of Linux. Usually I install MEPIS. All of the systems that are donated for me to use are older systems. I have found MEPIS works best on these outdated machines.


5. My house is the control point for systems coming in and out. You would be amazed at how much time I put into charity. Not transporting systems allows me to have the spare time to do this in the first place.


6. There is no need to advertise. I found that I am kept more than busy enough just by my efforts being spread word of mouth.