Frequently Asked Questions

Following Redundant Technology Initiative's recent media exposure, lots of people have written to us asking questions. Here are a few popular ones.

Do you sell computers?
No. Redundant Technology Initiative does not sell computers, monitors or bits of anything we've been given - if we can't use it for our arts projects then we pass it on to the recyclers.

Would you collect my redundant computer(s)?
Yes, please! As long as it works, we want it! However, please do bear in mind that RTI is a small organisation with limited resources, so although we'll be happy to travel anywhere in Britain to pick up a van-load of complete and functional systems, we will be tempted less far from our planned travels by a single 086.

I have a single 086, shall I scrap it, then?
Please don't! At the moment we have a map of Britain on the RTI office wall with lots of dots on it, marking the locations of PCs which people have offered us. As clusters emerge, we'll arrange to come and collect them. So as long as you don't mind hanging on to it for a few weeks, please contact us if you have an individual machine you'd like to donate, and we'll do our best to take it off your hands if it's at all feasible.

Can you give me a PC?
Sorry, no. At the moment we are trying to put in place robust systems which will increase access to information technology, specifically so that people can use low cost and no cost computers to be creative and make art. We're are concerned to make sure that trash computers really get used, and in a legal and sustainable way. So we are using 'spare' computers (that we're not creating artworks with) for Access Space, so that anyone can come in, sign up and get access to them for just a token fee.

Not even if I'm a good cause?
I'm sure that you are a good cause, but the answer's still no. RTI is an arts organisation, here to generate art. We intend the images that come out of the project to catch the imagination and focus the attention of organisations much bigger than ourselves about the unresolved issues of accelerating decrepitude, inbuilt redundancy and techno-waste. In this way we will have helped to make those organisations that dispose of very large numbers of redundant computers more likely to donate some computer equipment directly to you. Remember - computers are being trashed at the rate of around 2700 per day in the UK, so there are plenty of other machines for you to get!

Why don't you have a flashy website?
This is lowtech.org and we don't like flashy, high-tech websites; we'll have none of your new-fangled frames and fancy Java code around here, thank you very much! Seriously, though - if you want couch potato entertainment, forget it. But if you want interactivity, then RTI provides more of that than any Java-driven web page. Get involved! Dive in a skip and grab yourself a piece of the action! Donate some old PCs and watch them go at our exhibitions! Or have a go yourself, do something creative with ancient equipment and tell us about it - we're always interested. That's real interactivity!

How do I get one of your extremely stylish "Skip Raider" T-Shirts?
Simple! If you're in the UK just send us a cheque (payable to "Redundant Technology Initiative") for £12 per shirt plus £3 for postage and we'll post one to you. (Please state Medium, Large or Extra Large and don't forget to tell us your address.) They are premium quality shirts and come in just one colour, Default Grey (of course) and feature the Recycle IT logo on the front, while the back identifies the wearer as a SKIP RAIDER. If you're not based in the UK then e-mail us if you want one, and we'll tell you about postage costs to your location and how to make payment.

I represent a big organisation that throws away hundreds of computers per year...
Stop right there and phone us now. Yes, we are suggesting that you to do something more creative with your techno-trash than scrapping it. Yes, we will make sure that you are publicised for the help you give us. Yes, we can guarantee you that your data will be erased. Yes, we will absolve you from any responsibility for the electrical safety of the machines. And yes, when your machines finally bite the dust we can assure you that your machines will be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.