Unfortunately I think I have to replace my Android phone soon, something I'm not excited about. I don't want to have a smartphone at all, but it's hard to not have one with the way things work in society. Extremely annoying and wasteful.
"We must think more deliberately about which technologies are necessary to build a better world and where it actually makes sense to roll out digital tech or AI tools. Those democratic deliberations can’t just be based on the marketing claims of tech companies, but need to account for the real impacts and material footprints of those technologies."
I imagine a future where children play on mountains of waste, metal, and circuitry, while toxic fumes waft through flesh and bone, rationalised by innovation and cheap labour. But then I read articles like this and realise we're already there.
In photos: Bleak reality of the e-waste industry in Delhi's Seelampur...
hello 🌱
lurkers + fediverse!
Long shot but i'm looking for an accomodation in #Brussels starting in April.
long term or short term, room or studio. I'm flexible as long as it feels cosy and with friendly and respecuful ppl :)
The power of Free Software: Turning trash into treasure!
The Cape Verdean American Community Development (#CACD) group has been reviving otherwise-obsolete computers with KDE #Plasma (#Kubuntu).
"The result? Less #eWaste and more control over the functioning of personal devices. That means not having to buy new when your software becomes unusable over time."
(1/2) I went to my local e-waste for the first time this week. I’d been avoiding it because I assumed it would simple dumpster, but I was surprised to find a staffed drive-thru building with stacks of gear being prepped for recycling.
I asked the guys working there if they ever see any old computers come through, and I was disappointed to hear that a pallet of boxed Apple IIs, with CRTs, has been there the week before, but were gone now.
(2/2) I spotted a Mac Pro sitting off to the side and asked what I should do if I wanted to take it home. The guy said matter-of-factly, “put it in your car.” I did just that!
I also spotted a particularly cute mini tower at the bottom of a pallet of non-descript late model Dells and Compaqs. They graciously allowed me to restack the pallet and bring a sweet 386 home too.
My Kobo pooched itself again and is displaying ⚠️ and what looks like a "try again" button instead of booting. This is the second time in a month that it's (apparently) destroyed its filesystem and drained the battery to nothing.
We're starting to see more right to repair legislation with teeth, which is good to see and should help us get more life out of our devices and reduce e-waste.
Apple is seriously trying to argue that replacing the battery or screen in your phone without having to call them to pair that specific part to that specific phone represent an unacceptable security risk.
Computer Forensics experts are dismissive of that assertion.
A call went around a few of the Linux Distributions, and together they are confident they have plenty of copies of Linux, in a very large number of flavors, to run all 240 million of the computers Microsoft is abandoning to e-waste.
Found a Pyne Pod 8500 discarded in the grass during a walk into town yesterday
Surprisingly sophisticated charging circuitry for an item designed to be disposable. No obvious way to open it in order for owners to refill the tank or to swap in a new atomizer module.
These lithium ion batteries now over a decade old, can no longer supply sufficient current to run the Samsung Nexus 10 tablet in which they had been installed.
Tried using salvaged vape batteries as a substitute but that experiment failed. Perhaps I should try a pair of 18650 cells.
Android version is so old that Google no longer provides security updates. What can I use this obsolete tablet for?
NOT ACCEPTABLE! If #Microsoft is going to pull this kind of SHIT, they need to take care of all the #eWaste ! Or better yet, SUPPORT LEGACY PRODUCTS!!!
#Windows10 end of life could prompt torrent of e-waste as 240 million devices set for scrapheap
By Ross Kelly
published December 21, 2023
"As Windows 10 end of life approaches, analysts are concerned that millions of devices will be scrapped due to incompatibility
"Analysts have warned Windows 10 end of life plans could spark a global torrent of e-waste, with millions of devices expected to be scrapped in the coming years.
"Research from Canalys shows that up to 240 million #PCs globally could be terminated as a result of the shift over to Windows 11, raising critical questions about device refreshes and the responsibility of vendors to extend life cycles.
"A key concern highlighted by Canalys was Microsoft’s current practices regarding Windows 11 device compatibility.
"Minimum system requirements for installing Windows 11 on a PC mean users must have a processor of at least 1 GHz or faster along with a minimum of 4GB RAM. Storage requirements are also set to a minimum of 64GB.
"Many of the devices set for scrapping after the Windows 10 support deadline, set for October 2025, won’t meet these requirements despite being in 'good condition' and potentially #recycled [or repaired] by enterprises.
"The consultancy added that many of these 240 million devices will end up in #landfill."
Cette année, on a charbonné fort. Plus de 600Kg en plus de ce qu'on a fait l'année passée, record explosé! Il est temps de faire un petit bilan, non? #GreenIT#Reconditionnement#Environnement#Ecologie#eWaste#iFixit
(merci aux partenaires Ifixit Elgato Altyk )