The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon students will remain on top of the latest technology thanks to the recent acquisition of 40 refurbished computers. The school division paid just $1,500 for the machines through the Winnipeg-based Computers for Schools program, which recycles surplus computers for the benefit of public learning. "The acquisition of these computers allows us to spend our technology budget on higher-end machines in areas where the demand on the machines' capabilities will be higher," said Assistant Superintendent Dean Grove. Grove said the computers will be used to upgrade keyboarding labs and replace worn-out classroom computers. The refurbished computers range from 233 mhz, 32 mg machines to 500 mhz, 64 mg, and come complete with monitors and software licenses. Over the past four years, the school division has acquired some 100 computers and a handful of printers from Computers for Schools. The program provides computers for free or will charge up to $300 per machine, depending on the computer quality. "It's been a great program for us," commented Grove. "Often, these machines are two to three years old, but they are well-kept. Their acquisition allows us to continue upgrading the technology that we have in the school division." Grove noted that the computers were delivered from Winnipeg to Flin Flon at no charge by Gardewine North. The trucking company has also provided free delivery of the computers in previous years. See 'Costs' P.# Con't from P.# "That's really helped us in terms of keeping our costs down and being able to access these computers that we might not have been able to access otherwise," said Grove. The assistant superintendent estimated that the school division owns close to 500 computers. The Computer for Schools program is a joint initiative of the Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba, and Manitoba Telecom Pioneers. The program's purpose is to recycle surplus computer equipment to benefit schools, libraries, literacy and volunteer groups as well as community access sites located in Manitoba.
