To make a free computer available to every household in the State of Delaware that does not now own one.

This just verbalizes what we have been doing since September 2007 by placing 142 free computers into households throughout the State (Bear, Cheswold, Camden, Claymont, Clayton, Delaware City, Dover, Felton, Hartley, Leipsic, Laurel, Lincoln, Little Creek, Middletown, Milton, Milford, Millsboro, Newark, New Castle, Smyrna, Townsend, Viola, Wilmington, Wyoming). (as of 4-7-08).

Where do the computers come from?

The computers originate with corporations or state agencies who donate them to the Department of Corrections (DOC) upon upgrading to new equipment. They are used by the DOC for training programs for inmates. When they have served their purpose at the DOC they are made available to non-profit organization such as CompEd.

What does CompEd do?

A compEd member buys and installs modems, loads drivers and tests the system. This builds appx $78 value into each computer (the cost of this service at Best Buy). This is essential to provide low cost access to the educational resources of the Internet.

Other CompEd personell invest appx 3 man-hours in each machine in

(1) upgrading the DOC package by providing a pair of powered speakers ($ 22 at Best Buy),

(2) assembling the console, monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers and identifying and replacing faulty components (about one in three monitors is faulty),

(3) resetting the monitor output (degauss, brightness/contrast, vertical/horizontal alignment etc),

(4) setting the background, screen saver, powers settings,

(5) loading and installing software (Winamp, AVG, Ad-Aware, Spybot, CleanUp!, Firefox, RegSupreme) and instructions for contacting a low cost ISP (550access.com),

(6) instructing the recipient on the use of computer,

(7) disassembly and transfer to the recipient.

In addition are the administrative functions: receiving calls from applicants, scheduling visits, maintaining the computer studio and preparing and distributing information about the program.

We need your help to continue the program.

The normal cost to place one computer would be approximately $ 200 ($ 78 + $ 22 + 3 man-hours~$100). We are able to hold this to $50 as a result of voluteered technical services and buying know-how.

We are soliciting donations to fund continuation of this program. Each $ 50 donation will be matched by CompEd with $ 150 of in-kind services to place one computer into the household of a needy Delawarean.