The Digital Divide/Challenges and Solutions

In examining ways to reduce the digital divide for students who do not have computers at home, I believe the answers come down to individuals. I have received no end of responses from businesses that would be happy to donate older computers as they replace them with new ones. However, here is the catch. Microsoft and Apple have proprietary rights to both their system and productivity software, which is licensed to the individual who buys their computers and pays for this software. Legally, we could (or a company could) be held liable for piracy/theft by donating these old computers with this software on them. I believe I have found a solution to this problem. As older operating systems become unsupported by the computer giants who created them, they no longer care about the sharing of this software. It is outdated and cumbersome to use.

I think if individual teachers donate older computers to students, that have outdated operating systems and productivity suites, we could increase the number of students with computers at home. Be sure to erase all of your previous information/data, so that the student starts with a clean drive. If they intend to use the internet, it is important to let them know that in order to protect their computer, they will have to invest in a good anti-virus/spam software protection system like Trend microvirus. they would, of course, have to pony up for their own internet service, and dial up is awfully slow, but it still works, and can be found for only $10.00/month.
This would at least get them into the loop, even though it wouldn't be with the newest technology. If on in two teachers in St. Paul was able to donate an older computer to a student, we could increase the number of computers available to students at home by 2,000 computers. Many of our students have siblings at home, so our penetration of 'have not' households would increase even more. It's just a tought-but it comes down to you, as an individual, making a difference in a student's life; and bridging the digital divide.