[Published in Charity Village November 2000]

This is a really tough question, because whatever you decide will be
wrong. Computers, by their nature, are difficult to manage, break down
constantly, and require large amounts of technical support and
training. We hesitate to make any specific recommendations because
things change so quickly, but here are some general suggestions:

Figure out what you will use your computers for. You probably want to do
word processing, email, scheduling, web browsing and look at the occasional
spreadsheet. Install a basic office productivity suite that's compatible with
Microsoft Office, and if you're not eligible for Microsoft's
charity licensing, consider free software. See our web
site for specific suggestions. Generally, you won't need a state-of-the-art
computer. However, if you spend a lot of time on a computer you should buy
a decent monitor because it will make you more productive and help prevent
eyestrain. After you've used a 17″ monitor for a while, you will find it hard
to go back to a 15″.

Our overall recommendation for small, low income agencies is to get
cheap computers, and link them to each other and the Internet using the
fastest connection you can afford. Here are the best choices for the
average nonprofit:

1. Buy a mid-level Windows PC from a reliable low-cost provider that has good customer service and technical support.

   Mid-level refers to computers that are neither obsolete nor cutting
   edge. At any given time, there is usually a `value point', where
   there's a big price jump between the decent computers and the really
   expensive ones. That value point changes almost monthly as components
   get cheaper. Don't buy the cutting edge unless you're doing something
   really unusual, like video editing.

   For example, Dell gets consistently
   good reviews on technical support. Its prices are high in comparison with
   the local electronics supply shop, but Dell's three-year onsite warranty
   service is great, and they guarantee that all the components in the computer
   work well together. The warranty service and phone support are worth a
   lot when you don't know how to do your own computer repairs. Other well-reviewed
   systems are Gateway, MicronPC
   and Compaq. Good Enough Information
   Systems is in discussions with computer distributors to see if they can
   provide special discounts to Canadian nonprofits.

   For specific computers and suppliers, check out the reviews at www.zdnet.com and www.cnet.com. They are U.S. reviews, but most of the computers are available in Canada.

2. Buy a second hand computer from reBOOT

   If you are a registered charity, consider buying a second hand computer from reBOOT Canada.
   They charge $1 per Mhz for a complete system, including a keyboard
   mouse and colour monitor. In other words, for $233 plus taxes you would
   be able to get a fully equipped 233 Mhz computer. Additional components
   are available depending on the needs of your organization. They ship
   all over Canada, and provide a warranty. This will not be a cutting
   edge solution, but for most of your daily office tasks these computers
   should be sufficient. In fact, most of reBOOT's clients are looking for
   systems that will get them started with word processing, accounting and
   using the Internet.

   We also suggest that if you are offered second hand computers from a
   business, consider directing them towards reBOOT, who will provide a
   tax receipt to the donor for the value of the equipment, unless you can
   assess and repair them yourselves. reBOOT will strip them and rebuild
   them using components from various computers if necessary.

The reason we recommend PCs is that the vast majority of organizations
use PCs and it just makes communication simpler if everyone's on the
same platform. If you do insist on using Macs or Linux-based computers,
please ensure that you can handle the file incompatibilities that will
crop up. In the next couple of years, expect `Internet appliances' to
replace computers for simple functions. Internet appliances are
pared-down computers that will allow you to use the Web and email. And
in the next couple of years, when you can get almost all the software
you need through a web browser, it won't matter whether you get Windows
PCs, Linux, Mac or an Internet appliance.