Just noting as an aside that I'd be hesitant for the WMF to accept donated
laptops for redistribution. I expect that the WMF's own depreciated
laptops can be warranted to be virus- and malware-free; I'd be a bit
concerned from the risk mitigation perspective if they were to start
providing equipment from third parties that the WMF itself hasn't made sure
is safe, and I'm not sure it's the best use of WMF staff time to go through
that verification process. (Incidentally, I'd have the same concerns about
chapters and other groups.)
I do really like the idea of the WMF and other groups with depreciated,
verified-safe hardware sharing this hardware with other Wikimedians, though
- it's a great idea. Laptops are the right things to start with; there may
come a time where other electronic equipment can be shared in a similar
way.
Risker/Anne
On 17 March 2017 at 17:11, Asaf Bartov <abartov(a)wikimedia.org> wrote:
I do know the Equipment exchange page, yes. I do not
consider it an
effective vehicle for this program. Reviewing it now, I stand by it that a
dedicated space on Meta with an explicit form gathering the information we
need is a better fit.
Also, the program is about laptops at the moment, and is based on
depreciated office laptops. We don't have much photography gear in the
office, and aren't likely to have such gear to donate.
Cheers,
A.
On Fri, Mar 17, 2017 at 10:14 AM Michael Maggs <Michael(a)maggs.name> wrote:
Thank you Asaf. Did you know that there is
already a Commons page for
Community donations?
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons_talk:Equipment_exchange
It would be worth linking your new Meta page to the existing one.
Michael
Asaf Bartov <mailto:abartov@wikimedia.org>
17 March 2017 at 6:06 am
Dear Wikimedians,
The Wikimedia Foundation is pleased to announce a small new program
called
the Hardware Donation Program. In a word, it is a
program designed to
donate depreciated (but fully working) hardware from the WMF office to
community members who would put it to good use.
The program, including instructions on how to apply, is described on
Meta,
> here:
>
>
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hardware_donation_program
>
> Please read the information carefully. I especially encourage you to
pay
> attention to the program's design
considerations, which determine most
of
> the decisions we'll be making.
>
> We currently have approximately 20 laptops ready to be donated.
> Applications are welcome.
>
> The upcoming Wikimedia Conference in Berlin (in about two weeks) would
be
> an excellent opportunity to deliver some of
those laptops in person to
> approved applications, so if you think you might be interested, I'd
> encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
>
> Please also help spread the word about this program, by forwarding this
> e-mail to other Wikimedia lists you're on, and posting the link to the
> program page on village pumps and *community* (not public) social media
> channels or other communication forms you use.
>
> Special thanks to User:Anntinomy from Wikimedia Ukraine, who had the
idea
of asking
about possible donation of older machines from WMF, and
inspired
> this program.
>
> Mini-FAQ:
>
> Q: Why are you doing this?
> A: WMF's Office IT determines a lifetime for work machines, and
regularly
> replaces older machines. This creates a
stock of older, working
machines,
that are
available for donation. We can donate them locally to San
Francisco charities, but figure that if we can find low-cost ways to
deliver them to our own community members, that's so much better.
Q: Am I eligible?
A: Read the fine program documentation.
Q: If I'm eligible, am I guaranteed a donated laptop?
A: no.
Q: Once these 20 laptops are donated, will there be others?
A: yes, eventually.
Q: How can you ensure people would use the machines for Wikimedia
purposes?
A: We can't. We'll be making a good-effort assessment of the likelihood
of
> Wikimedia use, and make a decision to donate (or not) the equipment.
Once
> donated, the equipment no longer belongs to
WMF. We encourage, but
can't
> enforce, reporting on impact achieved using
the equipment.
>
> Q: I need a few laptops for my event in two weeks! Can I get them
through
this
program?
A: No. Read the fine program documentation.
Q: I'm really happy about this!
A: So are we! :)
Q: I'm really angry about this!
A: So it goes.
Q: I have more questions!
A: Hit 'Reply'. :)
Cheers,
Asaf
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