Blog #3: The Controversy

I chose to use google because it is what I am most familiar with. I searched for "computer take back programs" and "issues with computer e-waster."

The two sites I found most helpful were:
http://www.electronicstakeback.com/resources/problem-overview/
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/04/10/ewaste/

The first is a site produced by the Electronics TakeBack coalition. This organization I find to be credible through its notable coalition partners such as Basel Action Network and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, both huge names in the field of e-waste. They also work with Annie Leonard who makes famous animated documentaries on environmental issues.

I was unfamiliar with Salon.com and was hesitant at first because of its name. However, I discovered that it was the first magazine to be published all online and was a credible news source. The article was written in the beginning of April so it is very recent. The author is a Elizabeth Grossman, who has written many books on environmental issues.

The first site gives a great overview of the problem with e-waste in general. It discusses how they are not designed to be lasting products, be recyclable, and the danger of their toxics, improper disposal and the international issues it causes. To find all of this information in one place is extremely helpful. It is a lot of information condensed in to one area and while the information is not general, more specifics are needed to truly understand the impacts. The information is supported by years of research from their partners.

This next source does a better job of that. While the article is not as good at providing a general overview of the problems with e-waste, it does provide a specific case study. Here it talks about the problem of exported e-waste. The U.S. frequently export toxic e-waste to developing countries because they are willing to accept it for pay offs, and the people either can't complain or don't know the toxics they are surrounded by. They can make a living of our trash. By burning components to retrieve the raw materials   they can make money but at the damaging expense of their health and lives.

Something both sites are missing is the business side to the problem. Take back programs are expensive to run and industry complains it is bad for business as always. Neither discuss alternatives to the toxic components, or what to do with parts that can't be recycled. I tried various other searches to find this information but couldn't really seem to find many people writing about the opposing side of the story.

Blog #2: How the Technology Works

I used Ask.com because it groups search results by relevance.

I had to generate two searches as I did not find everything I wanted the first time.I search "understanding computer components," and "toxics pc components." 

These are the two best sites I found:

http://www.viaarena.com/understanding-pc-parts-%93-the-basics.aspx?ID=25&MCatID=3

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/high-tech-trash/computer-interactive

The National Geographic site I trust completely because they are held to high standards in terms of the information and programs they generate. There is no specific author or date, but to be produced on their website everything must have been fact checked and the basic components of computers haven't changed much over the years. 

The first is not a company I am familiar with. I dug a little more and they appear to be a company that provides computer support articles to pc users. It is an article written by the editor of the website just under 2 years ago so the information appears credible and relevant, aside from the fact the word n00bs is visible after the first paragraph.

The National Geographic site provides an easy to read diagram with labeled components color coded by toxin. The diagram is interactive so more information can be discovered through clicking the components to figure out what they, how they are made, the toxics they contains and the effects of those toxins. I have had to study toxic computer components in many environmental studies classes, but this diagram condenses the information so easily that I have a whole new understanding of the material. While this site does a good job of examining the toxins, the computer components could be explained better. 

The Via Arena site had basic diagrams of where things were, but provided no cumulative diagram. What it did best was give al breakdown of all major components and their function with in the computer. They craft helpful metaphors to help readers better understand what all the parts do which is helpful in visualizing information if you are not a computer engineer. This site however, did not provide any information about toxics.