Uses For Old Computers

DANBURY — So you thought you could not use that old computer? Think again!

New Deal is for the users in need of a simpler, leaner, less complicated computer life. New Deal, a software suite and operating system working with even 286 DOS-running computers, will be presented at the next Danbury Area Computer Society  (DACS) meeting on January 4 at Danbury Hospital Auditorium starting at 6.30 pm.

In addition to the operating system, New Deal includes an easy to use suite using about 10 MG of hard disk space and under 1 megabyte of RAM. It includes a word processor, e-mail, and a Web browser that enables users to surf the Web on a 286 machine, a spreadsheet, and some games.

Of course if you are a power user with an unlimited budget, New Deal may not sound very attractive. However if you are in the shoes of a school administrator with a very tight budget, New Deal may be just the solution needed to bring back new life to computers that are considered “door stoppers.” Many older version, now unused, computers could be revitalized with New Deal. Those computers can have a new existence in, for example, less privileged school districts or to third world computer users.

New Deal is not trying to compete with giant Microsoft, but is a “leading-edge technology for a lagging-edge platform.” Its application is not only for America but has a capability to enable computer utilization by many people all over the world. As it was recently reminded to DACS members at the December meeting, many countries are still behind in computer use. New Deal has a big potential worldwide.

If you want to find out about the advantages of New Deal, come to the next DACS meeting on January 4. The main presentation is at 8 pm. DACS meetings take place the first Tuesday of each month. They are free and open to the public. For more information about the general meeting or for DACS special interest groups, check  http:www.dacs.org or call 748-4330. Coming in February is Advanced Micro Devices (AMD Microprocessors).