User:Martind/LfmHardwareAuction

Last.fm has offered to donate a pile of old server hardware to the London Hackspace, which we can sell/auction off to make some money. First (very informal) estimates put this at a total value of £1k or higher.

The LHS has limited options/space for long-term storage, so it will be necessary to coordinate this well and optimise for swift turnaround.

Hardware List

TODO: complete list of hardware

• Pics: lfm ops pile
• It's a fairly diverse pile, and the LHS would have to determine which machines could still be restored to a usable state.
• There are both 2U storage servers and 1U web servers
• I'm told most of them have dual-core, dual-socket CPUs
• There may be some old (non-CRT) displays left too
• There also are loads of old keyboards, cables and other assorted bits if we need them

Restrictions

• LFM needs a representative of the LHS to sign an agreement that this hardware is accepted at no charge and without any guarantees
• LFM requires that either:
  • all disks are removed on location and left at the LFM office
  • the LHS wipes all drives with dban, and a trusted party (e.g. Jonty or Russ) supervises the process and vouches for its completion.
• In the interest of keeping the LHS tidy we should aim to hold this hardware for no more than two weeks

Estimated Required Work

• Need a van (LFM is willing to sponsor a streetcar if needed)
• Need several people to pick up the hardware (bring tools!)
• Need someone to identify the hardware and make a list
• Need people to prep them
  • wipe drives
  • assemble working machines out of several broken ones (this is optional, but is likely to increase resale value)
• Need people to sell them
  • make photos, write specs, assess value
  • put on craigslist, ebay, ...? and manage the sale
• Need people to be available when buyers want to pick up the hardware
• Need people to help dispose of unsellable hardware in an appropriate manner

Schedule

This is all preliminary.

• On a Friday afternoon: pick up hardware from LFM office (atm it looks like the best dates are 17 Sept, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, or later)
• ...?

Volunteers

Put your name here if you'd like to volunteer. (Only serious offers pls.)

• Martind is willing to coordinate, speak to LFM, ensure there's a van, rally volunteers to help moving stuff etc