Sprints/Goals/2024/Eco Notes

Questionnaire

We want data on attitudes to reuse of computers. For that purpose we discussed how to make a questionnaire that can give us useful information. We don't want the questions to be too technical, more to give a broad overview. Questions to consider includes:

INTRO: WE ARE INTERESTED IN .... more sustainable ways to use hardware

What is your current computer?
How old is it?
What did you use before?
Why did you switch? (buy a new one?)
What would motivate you to switch again? Beautiful design, new hardware, ...?
Were there any obstacles for switching in the past?
What would be the obstacles for switching the next time?
Would you like to keep using your current computer?
How willing would you be to try a new system?
How much effort are you willing to put into keep using the computer?
How willing are you to change?
Would you use new software that does not look or work quite the same way as you are used to?
How much time do you spend on your devices? (Laptops, Phones, Tablets, Gaming Console)
What is important for you when deciding for a new computer? (Newest computer? Sustainability issues? Beautiful design? Nominal scale 1-10)
Do you manage your own computer?
Do you have support?
Some profile questions

We want to know what we need to provide to make it attractive for people to install a free OS instead of buying a new computer when planned obsolescence sets in. The questionnaire will be tried out ...(Joseph, please fill in details)...

Purpose

The largest environmental impact from computer use is production of the devices. Proprietary systems tend to require users to buy new hardware often, even though the hardware is perfectly usable. Therefore the greatest impact we can have in this respect is to provide software, that people feel comfortable to switch to. There is a technical aspect to this, but also a social/psychological one. We try to find out how to frame our message.

We might be able to find new allies, who have not traditionally thought of computers and free software as something relevant to them, like environmental activists, community groups, schools and libraries.