| Even a bare-bones low-end PC setup with Windows and a printer will
probably cost you $800-$1000. And of course you can go up from there...
The word processor that comes with Windows is pretty lean, too (I
presume .1 refers to WRITE), although functional for basic editing,
with basic formatting controls. Course, I remember when the formatting
capabilities of WordStar were state-of-the-art, and WRITE holds its
own against that. But you won't get three balanced columns
wrapping around 256-color graphics, and no automatic table of contents
or index, or hyperlinks to audio and video, which of course every
document needs ;^)
Then there's the dedicated word-processor systems from Smith Corona
et al. I have been seeing a few of those appearing on the discount
shelves at places like Sears. Don't know how much, and of course then
you're totally limited to one function. But if that is really the only
thing you are interested in doing, that might be a cheap and easy way
to do it. I have never used one of these, but I imagine they would
give you about the same level of functionality as WRITE?
|
| > How does one go about determining the price and possibly purchasing old
> hardware?
1. Get yourself TFSO'd.
2. Point out to your cc manager that purchasing old hardware is
supposed to be possible. Following is the policy as of two years
ago. Maybe there is a more current version somewhere.
3. Hope that your manager is feeling guilty for having laid you
off and will interpret this policy in a manner favorable to you.
In particular, if what you want isn't specifically on the list below,
suggest to your manager that it should be considered equivalent
to something that is. This has been known to work in the past.
Good luck.
dlm
=============================
Policies and Procedures Author: Paul Coute
Employee Purchase of Used/Idle Computer Equipment - Date: April 21,1992
Transition Programs Page 1 of 7
Document Identifier
A-DG-ELCP758-04 Rev A
Section 1: Objective
The purpose of this policy is to establish a process for employees
to purchase used/idle computer equipment as authorized by specific Company
transition programs.
Section 2: Scope
Worldwide, as authorized under the following programs:
0 Transition Financial Support Offer (TFSO)
0 Special Early Retirement Program (SERP)
0 Engineers to Education Program
Section 3: Policy
This policy provides an opportunity for eligible employees under the above
programs to purchase used/idle computer equipment for their use under
following conditions:
1. Applicable equipment must have a zero book value.
2. Applicable equipment is limited to "personal use" equipment.
3. Employees may purchase no more than two 'personal use" systems.
4 Employees must sign and agree to Attachment A.
5. All 3rd party software must be removed by a Digital Service
Representative to comply with existing license agreements.
6. The purchase fee is to reimburse Digital for administrative and
Digital Service expenses.
Section 4: Procedure
4.1 Employee Process
a. The process to be used by an employee authorized under one of the
above programs is as follows:
1. Refer to Corporate Waste Management Policies Section, "List
of Applicable Used/Idle Computer Equipment", Reference
Document Section, listed under "VTX Waste". Exceptions to
this list require the written approval of the Vice-President
for the cost center.
Page 2 of 7
2. Provide your manager with a detailed listing of all equipment
that you intend to purchase, (Attachment B).
3. Complete the Used/Idle Computer Equipment Employee Purchase Program
Terms and Conditions document, (Attachment A).
4. Provide your manager with a copy of this complete package of
documents, (Attachment A and B).
5. Confirm with your manager that the used/idle computer equipment has
met the requirements of this policy.
6. Agree with your manager on the total fee, based on the price
listing, refer to "List of Applicable Used/Idle Computer
Equipment", Reference Documents Section, listed under "VTX Waste".
7. Obtain the appropriate signatures on the Used/Idle Computer
Equipment Purchase Terms and Conditions document, (Attachment A).
Note: The above employee process should be completed no later than the
last day worked.
4.2 Cost Center Manager Process
a. The process to be used by a cost center manager is as follows:
1. Ensure that the used/idle computer equipment to be purchased by the
employee is approved. Refer to the "List of Applicable Used/Idle
Computer Equipment", Reference Documents Section, listed under "VTX
Waste".
2. Confirm that the used/idle computer equipment has a zero book value.
3. Ensure that the used/idle computer equipment is limited to "personal
use" equipment.
4. Ensure that the employee is purchasing no more than the
equivalent of two "personal use" systems.
5. Ensure that the employee has completed and signed the Used/
Idle Computer Equipment Employee Program Terms and Conditions
(Attachment A).
6. The cost center manager must collect a check for the appropriate
amount of the transaction, made payable to Digital Equipment
Corporation.
7. Contact the local Finance Resource to ensure that the appropriate
capital asset write off forms are processed, after the sale
is complete.
Page 3 of 7
8. Forward the funds from the purchase of the used/idle computer
equipment to "U.S. Cashier, MSO1-1/J29, 111 Powdermill Rd., Maynard,
Ma. 01754-1499, along with a cover memo including:
0 Cost Center Manager's name, telephone number, electronic
mail address
0 Employee name
0 Check number and amount of check
0 Cost center and account number to receive credit
Section 5: Responsibilities
5.1 Transition Program Managers
0 Utilize Attachment C
- Program Name and Dates
- Any special contact names., etc.
0 Contact the Corporate Idle Asset Manager (Waste Management) to
ensure correctness of available equipment.
5.2 Corporate Idle Asset Manager
0 Review/update this policy as required.
0 Update the list of available equipment based on Pre-Approved
Disposition Lists, etc.
5.3 Cost Center Manager
0 Ensure that the requirements of this policy are followed.
5.4 Authorized Employee
0 Follow the requirements of this policy.
6.0 Attached Documents
Attachment A: "Digital Equipment Corporation Used/Idle Computer
Equipment Employee Purchase Program Terms and Conditions"
Attachment B: "Request to Purchase Used/Idle Computer Equipment"
Attachment C: "Procedure to Sell Used/Idle Computer Equipment
to Employees - Transition Programs
Attachment D: "List of Applicable Used/Idle Computer Equipment"
Page 4 of 7
ATTACHMENT A
DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
USED/IDLE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT EMPLOYEE PURCHASE PROGRAM
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The following are the terms and conditions under which Digital
Equipment Corporation agrees to sell and/or license and you agree to
buy and/or license the equipment and software (products) which are the
subject of this sales agreement. This Digital Used Equipment Employee
Purchase Program is a service for Digital employees. Products
purchased through this program can only be purchased for Digital
employees and their immediate families. Products cannot be purchased
for resale or for individuals or organizations outside of the
employee's immediate family. All shipments must be to the employee's
home address.
1. TAXES
Prices are exclusive of, and you are responsible for all sales, use
and like taxes.
2. PAYMENT
Payment may be by personal check (up to $300.00), bank cashier's
check, or money order (for amounts over $300.00). The employee's
name must be imprinted on a personal check. All checks are to be
made out to DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION. The amount of the
check must equal the total purchase price of the item being
ordered, plus any applicable sales/use taxes. The employee's
badge number should also be written on the check.
3. EXPORT
United States export laws prohibit you from either directly or
indirectly exporting any product without first obtaining a
license from the United States Government. If you desire to
export (move) the products outside the United States, you should
contact the manager of Digital's Export Services Group for further
information and assistance.
4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Digital will not be liable in any event for any damages including
loss of data, profits or savings, claims against you by any other
party of any other incidental or consequential damages arising
out of your use of or inability to use the products, even if
Digital is advised of the possibility of such damages.
Page 5 of 7
5. INSTALLATION
Installation of the products is your responsibility.
6. WARRANTY
A. WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS
All products furnished under this agreement are provided "as is".
Digital disclaims, without limitation, the warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no
event will Digital be liable to you for any damages whatsoever,
including but not limited to special, indirect or consequential
damages. This limitation is, however, without prejudice to
claims by you for personal injury suffered by you.
B. APPLICATION SOFTWARE
No provisions have been made to license any third party
application software previously residing on used equipment. All
third party application software has been deleted from the system
as certified by a Digital Customer Services Representative in
accordance with the Employee Used Equipment Sale Policy.
C. LIMITATIONS
These warranty exclusions and this exclusion of any implied
warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose are made part of this agreement because
the products being sold are products which have been used
extensively by Digital internally.
7. SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE
All Digital Software residing on Used Equipment at the time of
sale is furnished under the following terms and conditions:
a. All Digital software residing on the used equipment at
the time of sale is licensed to you for your personal use and may
not be transferred;
b. The software and any part thereof may be used on only the
single personal computer in which the software was installed at
the time of purchase and may be copied in whole or in part (with
the proper inclusion of the DIGITAL copywrite notice and any
DIGITAL proprietary notices on the software) only for use on such
personal computer;
c. In the event that an equipment malfunction occurs in the
above single personal computer causing the software to become
inoperable on such single personal computer, the software (or a
copy thereof) may be used on another single personal computer on
a temporary basis during such malfunction;
Page 6 of 7
d. You shall not provide or otherwise make available the
software or any part of copies thereof in any form to any third
party except for authorized use of your personal computer;
e. No title to or ownership of the software or any parts
thereof is transferred to you;
f. Digital shall have the right to terminate any software
license granted under this agreement if you fail to comply with
these license terms and conditions. You agree, upon notice of
such termination, to immediately destroy the software provided
under such terminated license and all portions and copies
thereof.
DIGITAL AND PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EACH HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SALE CONTRACT. BOTH
DIGITAL AND PURCHASER FURTHER AGREE THAT THIS SALE CONTRACT
CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND THAT BOTH
AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED HEREIN. NO
DEVIATION FROM THIS SALE CONTRACT SHALL BE BINDING UNLESS IN WRITING
AND SIGNED BY THE PARTY AGAINST WHOM THE DEVIATION IS SOUGHT TO BE
ENFORCED.
THE ITEMS ON THE ATTACHED WORKSHEET ARE COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT:
___________________________DT:_____ ________________________DT:____
(PURCHASER SIGNATURE) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
(AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
___________________________ ___________________________
(PURCHASER NAME-PRINTED) (DIGITAL ADDRESS)
___________________________ ___________________________
(PURCHASER ADDRESS)
___________________________
Page 7 of 7
ATTACHMENT B
REQUEST TO PURCHASE USED/IDLE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
WORKSHEET
Employee Name: ________________________ Cost Center: ______________
Cost Center Manager: _________________ Badge #: _________ Loc: ___________
Equipment Description Fee Serial # Asset Tag #
1. __________________ __________ _________ ___________
2. __________________ __________ _________ ___________
3. __________________ __________ _________ ___________
4. __________________ __________ _________ ___________
5. __________________ __________ _________ ___________
6. __________________ __________ _________ ___________
7. __________________ __________ __________ ____________
8. __________________ __________ __________ ____________
FINANCE VERIFICATION:
Equipment is eligible and at $0 book value. ________________ ___/___/____
Finance Date
- Check Amount:$_______.___ Check Date:___/___/____ Check Number:________
Page 1 of 1
ATTACHMENT C
(Insert Program Name)
PROCEDURE TO SELL USED/IDLE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
TO EMPLOYEES - TRANSITION PROGRAMS
Eligible employees under this program will be provided an opportunity
to purchase equipment for their use under the following conditions:
1. Equipment must have a zero book value.
2. Equipment is limited to "personal use" equipment.
3. Employees may purchase no more than two "personal use"
systems.
4. Employees must sign and agree to the attached Used Equipment
Employee Purchase Program Terms and Conditions.
5. All 3rd party software must be removed by a Digital Service
Representative to comply with existing license agreements.
6. The purchase fee is to reimburse Digital for administrative
and Digital Service expenses.
Page 1 of 1
Revised
ATTACHMENT D October 1992
LIST OF APPLICABLE USED/IDLE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
SERP & TFSO
CATEGORY/ITEM FEE
Personal Computers $100.00 each
- Rainbows
- DECmate I, II & III
- PRO's 350&380
- VAXmate PC500
- DECstation (2XX Series)
- DECstation (316 Series) $250.00
Printers: $75.00 each
- LA50
- LA75
- LA100
- LN03 (older version; not + or R)
- LVP16 Plotter
Modems - Older of series 50.00 each
Terminals: 50.00 each
- VT1XX
- VT2XX
Terminal/printer stands sold with items: $10.00
LIMIT: 2 units per category; Personal Computers/Printers, Modems;
Terminals
* Exceptions to this list require the written approval of the
Vice-President for the cost center.
To Distribution List:
DAVE LANDRY @MSO,
CLARENCE DIXON @PKO
CC Distribution List:
TONY GRAVES @MSO,
_salem::kennedy AT A1 at IAMOK at PKO,
_salem::savory AT A1 at IAMOK at PKO,
_salem::beaulieu_m AT A1 at IAMOK at PKO
|
| re: .0, .1, et al
Windows? A perfectly good word processor is available that will
run on a low end XT which can be had "new" (probably reconditioned,
or surplus warehouse stock) for about $300 plus a $75 monochrom
monitor. Why buy a used DECmate at any price when the same
functionality is available on an IBM compatible? Unless you buy two,
one for spare parts, if the DECmate breaks, repairs will cost more
than the whole new clone. Clone parts are dirt cheap and available
from a multitude of sources.
WPS-PC is a WPS-8 clone, developed by Exceptional Business Solutions,
which runs on MS-DOS. At $275 it's at the upper end of the WP range,
but has the familiar GOLD key feel, and a few enhancements (though
I do miss column cut and paste.)
std disclaimer: i have no connection with EBS, except as a satisfied
customer.
[dale]
|