On Sep 3, 2005, at 11:44 PM, digitaladdictions wrote:

> This isn't to say you cant MacGyver some cool innovative stuff
> using old technology but I don't feel most people do.

This is something of a catch-22.  There are lots of useful things
one can do with a 2-generations old used PC (nearly free.)  But in order
to do that, you have to understand a lot more than the average person
who can't afford a new computer.  You're no longer "mainstream", you're
no longer "supported."  To a large extent, you're no longer 
"supportable",
except by the rare (relatively speaking) geek.

So if you want to install computers at the local elementary school, it's
not just a matter of coming up with $600 per seat for a low-end 
computer,
it's creating a long term budget and process to spend another $600 per
seat in two years, and every two years after that.  The alternative is
to hire a full-time expert and send out students with "obsolete" 
knowledge.
Not even geography textbooks go out of date so fast :-(

Grr.

BillW

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