The truck from the “ do it yourself ” kit is well packed: computers lined up in the loading area – 25, dense black and delicately dusty. A company canceled them from Hala a few years ago. They should now start their second stage of life at the donkey fountain.
Daniel Havelik jumps onto the loading zone and installs a computer under his left arm and one under his right arm. In a hurry he brings technology to the home of Goldener Pflug, advancing to the assembly workshop. Old computer screens are stacked on the right, havelik piled up on computers on the left.
Hold one of the boxes and the plugs into the plug. First a slight humming sound, then a loud roar. It should cool down properly, says the developer. “Unfortunately, something like that isn’t really suitable for a living room.”
Many families lack technology
But this is exactly where computers should go next: for schoolchildren who don’t have any tech to study at home. Halle’s “Do It Yourself” group was chosen for that The “Hey Dude!” Connected – a network that now exists in more than 20 German cities.
Along with nine other volunteers, Daniel Havelik is now tampering with old computers in Halle. Unscramble it, wipe hard drives and outfit with webcams, WLAN sticks and necessary software.
Achim Schellenberg also helped him that afternoon. “I really don’t know much about technology,” says the 38-year-old with a laugh. But he knows the problems students have to face. Achim knows of families who have to slide one laptop back and forth. It is those who don’t even have one.
As an after-school care center teacher, he started a small survey in the fall. “In my facility it was about 80 percent without a laptop. With the equipment, it’s not like it could be said: Most of them actually have something.”
“Certified gamer. Problem solver. Internet enthusiast. Twitter scholar. Infuriatingly humble alcohol geek. Tv guru.”
