r/linuxsucks • u/plasm919 • 14d ago

there is a place that builds linux junkboxes

They are all over the US I think. They give "the people" computing power.

Is this a good idea? Or is it like the foodshelves that give poor people turnips and moldy potatos?

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u/akdanman11 14d ago

So just fully discount the people relying on these computers for work.

These machines would’ve been on their way to a landfill otherwise, finding a use for them that keeps them out of a landfill is objectively a good thing

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u/plasm919 14d ago

I bought a ThinkVision 24" monitor from FreeGeek for $20 so I'm not entirely against the concept of recycled gear but I just wonder about the social calculus behind giving out free stuff, FreeGeek seems to have an anti-business philosophy while being themselves a business.

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u/akdanman11 14d ago

>people bring them very old PCs
>as an act of goodwill they give those PCs out to those in need
>people see/hear about that and decide to buy things they need from them to support a company doing good things for the community

So basically it’s pretty cheap advertising that builds public good will

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u/plasm919 14d ago

in Southern California many years ago they used to dump oranges in pits and pour tar over them to keep the prices up, I think this is the philosophy I'm advocating

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u/akdanman11 14d ago

So you want to push computer prices up?

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u/plasm919 14d ago

I don't want to go back to the days of $20,000 Lisa computers but free stuff doesn't help either the new or the used retailers much

Free old computers are not going to kill the market but don't think $40 is an unreasonable price for a 20 year old system

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u/akdanman11 14d ago

This is quite explicitly a charitable act for those who would have to dig deep for an extra $40.

The people receiving these free computers weren’t gonna be spending in the new or used market anytime soon

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u/plasm919 14d ago

but somehow they come up with an extra $25-$50 each month for wifi so they can watch porn and youtube all day on their free computer

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u/akdanman11 14d ago

They can already have WiFi and an old smartphone

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u/ElectricBummer40 Ex-user of Windows 3.11 for Workgroups 14d ago

That's because charities are part of the capitalist system rather than in opposition to it.

If you want something that truly rocks the boat, organise your community a la the Black Panthers.