Welcome to your new device! We hope you like it and that it serves you well for a long time to come. The following information should answer a few of the most common questions we get asked about the devices we distribute and the project in general. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us using the form on the home page.
Right, lets get started.
Who Owns the Device? #
You do. It’s yours. Once it leaves our hands and comes to you, it’s yours. Remember to take care of it as we may not be able to get you another if something happens to this one. We often get asked if we “track” the devices and the answer to that is absolutely not. Once it leaves us, we have no idea where it goes, who has it or what it is used for.
We do apply a small RFID sticker which has the devices reference number on it so that if it ever comes back to us, we can see what happened to it in the past. We have a database system which allows us to see when it was donated, what work was carried out and what spares were replaced. Think of it like a medical record, we do!
#
What if there is a problem? #
We hope you don’t have a problem but if you do, then how we handle it depends on the type of problem.
A minor problem – Such as the battery only holds charge for a couple of hours, the case is scratched or the fan is noisy. Something along those lines. You have to remember that these devices were donated to the project and as far as possible have been repaired and upgraded to be as good as possible. They (for the most part) aren’t brand new and there may be some minor quirks to each device. Some very small things can be just too costly to repair and we have to make our limited funds stretch as far as we can. Think of these quirks as being part of your devices “personality”.
A major problem – These problems are more problematic and may stop you from being able to use your device. Screens and keyboards not working etc. If when you unpack your device you find that there is a problem then you should let us know straight away. If we can, we will replace it with another. But…
You do need to remember that we don’t offer a warranty on any of the devices we give out. If it breaks in a few weeks or a few years time, we aren’t responsible for replacing or repairing it for you.
#
Is my device electrically safe? #
Yes, we hope so. We PAT test our devices before they are sent out and we replace chargers, cables, batteries and other items that we suspect are faulty. The PAT test (or Portable Appliance Test) is designed to determine that the item is in good condition and operating properly. If you are concerned about the safety of any device, not just one of ours, you should contact an electrician or someone with the knowledge to look at it and make an informed decision.
#
What should I do if I don’t need the device any more? #
If you no longer need the device, consider donating back to the project or passing it on (once you have removed your personal data and reset it) to a friend or family member who may need to get online. There is nothing to stop you selling the device if you wish but we would love it if you would donate a little back to the project to help us help others in the same situation.
There, that’s it. If you have any other questions, please get in contact and we will do our best to answer you and we will also keep this knowledgebase up to date with new information and frequently asked questions.
