I really wish there was a way to ensure the laptop is safe, regardless of
its source. The chances with WMF laptop might be lower [citation needed],
but nothing is guaranteed, and a clean reinstall should be done regardless
(not a panacea).
On Fri, Mar 17, 2017 at 7:11 PM Risker <risker.wp(a)gmail.com> wrote:
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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> >
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