ATLANTA, Nov. 29, 1999 — As Georgia’s state agencies upgrade their computers in preparation for Y2K, thousands of older PCs will be distributed to area schools for a nominal fee, thanks to the efforts of two nonprofit organizations and a software donation from Microsoft. The company has donated 1,000 licenses of the Y2K-compliant Windows 95 operating system to two organizations working with the state government to recycle and distribute older PCs to schools and disadvantaged communities throughout Georgia.
The software donation, announced earlier this month by Microsoft and Georgia governor Roy E. Barnes, will help Free Bytes and the Tech Corps of Georgia give new life to computers that would normally be discarded; students from technical schools throughout the state will refurbish the machines and distribute them to Georgia schools for a nominal $45 fee. As a result, Georgia students will have increased access to technology resources and greater learning opportunities.
“Technology is Georgia’s future,” said Barnes. “Nothing is more important to Georgia’s high-tech future than making sure the children of today get the training to become the technology stars tomorrow.”
The governor declared November 3 as “Computer Day” in Georgia and recognized Microsoft’s Southeast District for its contributions to the state’s PC distribution programs, as well as its support of other technology access initiatives in the area. Throughout the year, the Southeast District has been actively supporting initiatives that bridge the ‘digital divide’ through its support of ‘computer recycling’ programs that put the power of computing in the hands of educators, disadvantaged communities and people with disabilities.
