April 2004

Probably the most productive last few months since I started TCG. I am back here where all began, a few tools and some parts building and repairing computers, doing my little part to make the world a better place. As most people know already TCG and I where featured in an article in last Feb. Citizen, a copy is on this site. The response was far beyond my expectations. I don't think I can thank Kate enough, she really got to the heart of what I am trying to do. I got some offers of help and I added some to my address book just in case. I doubled my output of computers in just one month but things are back to normal now, with all the added support, my demand for parts and services went up as well. I happy to say that everyone who contacted that I could help I did help. The parts closet "Closet of Doom" is restocked and I am doing well for parts, could always use more of course. All of the systems have found homes and this small apartment doesn’t have computers and parts all over the place, it has all cleared up and gone back to the closet. I have learned a lot and now I can work on more advanced computers and problems. I have decided that TCG well no longer except printers unless they come with the drivers and ink. It cost too much for people on low incomes to replace the ink. I find that kind of sad because printers have become disposable; it is now cheaper to by a cheap printer at Wal Mart for forty dollars than to replace the ink. We are still trying to get our own domain, for what reason I am not sure, my web designer says we can do more than we can on Geociies, and no silly pop ups. People have asked why I don't give tax receipts, one I am not a registered charity with CCRA and second I don't have the volume to warrant getting a charitable donations number. If some lawyer would like to donate their time to do that for me I would consider it. I have learned not to take things so personally in regard to the hate mail I get; I shall focus on the people who donate to us and the people I can help. I got an email a few weeks back asking if I took in old game systems and games, I told the person no and thanked them very much, but thinking about it, why not if it works, I can use my network to find home for them too. People tend to ask for some strange things, I should not only limit myself to computers but I should not stray from my roots either, anything electronic, home entertainment, is welcomed now. I'll find homes for it, time for that TCG to grow beyond my little hobby and reach out more to the community. Oh yes I am still collecting computer systems and parts as well as always.

July 2003

It's been while since I updated this site mainly because not alot has been going on. I got serveral P class computers and they went out fast, been doing alot of repair work for people. I don't have any computers at the moment with the exception of a bunch of old 486's, they have to go. I had my operations which has slowed me down but both hands are getting better, the scares are not that bad. Just a few more hurdles left, but I am possitive I will tackle them well.


I have Bill to thank for all the monitors I have getting lately, still more computers than monitors. Oh yeah if you have a Mac you want to Donate contact Bill, his email is on my donations page, he does good things. Ok I lost my cell service if anyone has my cell number and can't contact me that's why, email and I will send you my home number which is free all the time now since I got high speed. I am not sure how long this will go on but hopefully for awhile, I have a few helpers now and that makes things interesting.


My emails are being bombarded with spam like crazy so I opened a new one at That_computerguy@postmark.net , at least it will give then a new target, the yahoo mail is still the main email for the site and to contact me. I hope everyone is doing well, and once again I would like to thank everyone who donated computers and parts, and for those who asked, I am still collecting.

September 2002

One year as passed since I first put up the site and posted the adds etc. It's been a great year, but a hard one too. So many nice people out in the city trying to find homes for their previously owned computers and parts. The summer has quit for the most part, everyone going on holiday and having fun. Same thing here, or trying my best. My overall health is better than it has been in years. Two operations coming up, both on my hand should keep me down for a bit but not for long, that will be in the new year, the first in January, the second I am not sure. I would once again like to extend my thanks to everyone who donated, offered advice, and just wrote to say hi.


The hate mail has gone down, I happy about that, some people's children. Here is a basic breakdown of what happened over the last year: Ten donated complete systems, that only needed to be cleaned were donated most where gone the same day. As for parts, oh my, tons of them, a van full from one generous man. Out of that I made about another 15 working systems, most went in a week or so. Used up most of the parts, now have about four systems in various states of repair, waiting for parts. I am still here, busier yet still looking for more parts and systems. Hard drives, CD ROM, and SVGA monitors are needed most of all.

May 2002

This has been by far the most productive month yet since last September when I first posted on the NG's and everywhere else I could find. I am no longer getting email calling me a fraud or crock. I got two car loads of parts and a complete system from a student heading home from College. I have a 386 ready to go and about 4 486 in various states of repair. The pentiums go as fast as i can put them together which is good because my wife wants that darn closet cleaned out *LOL* it looks like a mess .


I wish to thanks Matt, for the parts and the excellent advice, always needed and when good used, and Chris, and all the other folks who dropped stuff off. I will be still working this in the summer, my operation has been postoned for gawd knows how long. I have been applying for part time jobs to fill some of the time freed up from not going to many doctors, tech surport would be nice but probally Wal-Mart for me *LOL*. In closing, thank you all very much and take care.

September 2001

Old About Us

Hi my name is Gary, and I am currently on disability and living in a disability and seniors building in the west end of Ottawa. When I first arrived here in 97 I had nothing to my name. I got a little support from the social services agencies but for the most part I knew I was on my own. First I started collecting trash and cleaning it up and then using it. What I had left over I gave to people in the building who for whatever reason where not as resourceful as I.


Before I became sick and poor I had a computer most of my life and I missed having one. On one of my trash hunts, also known as urban mining, I found an old 386 computer. I grabbed it and brought it home, it was a mess but fixable so I got to work and taught myself how to build computers. I then hunted in garage sales and thrift stores near by. With all the parts I had I began to build basic computers like 386’s and 486’s. I would sell one cheap and get parts for the other. Most people don’t throw out monitors so these were the hardest parts to find. I bought two monitors, one for each computer and then sold the old 386 for fifty dollars to cover the cost of the two monitors.


Ever since then people in the building have been asking me to fix their computers and I have been hunting down parts to build more computers. I only charge people for any parts I have to pay for out of my own pocket and if people want to give a little bit extra it would go into the can be used for more parts and computers.


Parts are now few and far between and now I am bringing my hunt here to the internet and the people of the Ottawa area. So before you throw out that old piece of junk contact me and I will find a home for it. I also do taxation work and computer repair for the general public and small businesses.


Thank You for you consideration
Gary
September 2001