FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 047 (18/03/97)

POWER STRUGGLE

I would like to draw your attention to the problem of safely disposing of nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries (Power Perils, FFF 18/2/97). As an environmentally concerned retailer of mobile phones, we contacted a number of local authorities, who told us they mostly favour deep landfill, which is not as environmentally sensible as recycling. Unfortunately few recycling plants exist -- none in the UK to my knowledge -- it must be carried out on an enormous scale to be commercially viable. We at Uplands BT Communications Centres are running a test program to collect mobile phone batteries and then send them for recycling.  Stores running this scheme are in Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Weston super Mare, Bristol, Bath, Melksham, Cheltenham, Reading, Hammersmith, Romford, Cambridge, Birkenhead, Newport, Cardiff, Llantrisant, Swansea and Crosshands.

G. D.

A

It is indeed a big problem, and growing larger all the time with the proliferation of battery powered gadgets. You’re right, there are no recycling facilities in the UK, the nearest one is in France, and according to the British Battery Manufacturers Association they processed upwards of 100 tonnes of our spent batteries last year. They were mainly large industrial and commercial batteries -- from emergency lighting systems etc. --  only a relatively small proportion were from ‘domestic’ appliances like mobile telephones, laptop computers, camcorders and power tools. These mostly came from manufacturer’s service centres and a few enlightened retailers like Uplands, rather than individual users.  Under the current system batteries sent for re-processing are collected and sorted in bulk by Hampshire-based specialists Lodden Holdings.

There are, however a number of local and manufacturer-based initiatives. For example, Sutton Council have set up collecting bins for dud batteries in council owned buildings, like libraries, and several companies, including BT, Makita  and Motorola, actively encourage their customers to return expired battery packs. The BBMA tell us that later this year a scheme called REBAT -- backed by a group of 30 leading companies -- aims to set up collection points in retail outlets, that sell replacement batteries. Participating shops will display window stickers.

Nevertheless, we’ve still got a very long way to go. Doorstep collection schemes operate in some European countries. In the US, the RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation) a non-profit public service organisation, has been operating for some time, with the intention of diverting all nicad batteries from waste streams. They’re also responsible for having lessons about batteries and related environmental issues included in school curriculum’s in many states.

Contacts:

British Battery Manufacturers Association

Loddon Holdings 01420 587251

RBRC http://www.rbrc.com

Uplands 0800 240000, http://www.uplands.co.uk

BIGGER IS BETTER

Having taken up computing in my dotage I'm very much at the lower end of the learning curve! One sees much written about upgrading. I have a relatively new Apricot computer with Pentium 120 processor and 8Mb RAM, using Windows 95 for fairly light applications such as MS Money, spreadsheets, word processing and the occasional game. What I would like to know is how one would, or should, know when it would be advantageous to upgrade to, say, 16Mb RAM. and what difference it would make if one did.

W.G.W.

A

Although Windows 95 will perform adequately on a Pentium with 8Mb of RAM, it’s far happier with 16Mb, and positively ecstatic with 32Mb... With 16Mb you will notice a significant increase in speed on your machine, and a big reduction in hard disc activity. Memory prices are still quite low but maybe not for much longer, so don’t delay. It will be the best and probably the cheapest upgrade you can make to your system.

ALL AT SEA

I am intending to sell up and sail around the Mediterranean  and Aegean. During the last year I have enjoyed e-mail and now have many friends who will want to keep in contact with me. I will be using a GSM mobile phone. Can you tell me what the minimum specification PC I would need to be able to transmit and receive e-mail via my mobile phone?

M. K.

A

Choosing a PC will be the least of your troubles. Any recent laptop with a 386, 486 or Pentium processor will be more than adequate to cope with e-mail, net access and faxing, using a data card and mobile phone. It’s not very fast though, 9600 bps is standard, though some compression systems can speed it up a little. The biggest hurdles though, are  coverage -- or rather the lack of it --  and establishing and maintaining reliable link, though you may find you actually get a stronger, less erratic signal off-shore in some places. Not all countries in the areas you’re visiting have GSM networks, and of those that do, not all support data communications. It’s changing all the time but at the moment the ones that have a full two-way data service are: Croatia, France, Lebanon, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. Cyprus have begun testing a data service, which may be fully operational by the time you arrive. You can use fax and send but not receive data on the Greek Panafon and Italian SIP networks. Places to avoid -- as far as data communications are concerned -- are Egypt, Libya, Romania and Syria. Israel don’t have a GSM network. You should check your network’s roaming agreements before you leave, and ask about the tariffs; net surfing on a mobile abroad can be a slow and expensive business!