Idea for Ubuntu and decomissioned PCs

[benmoretti]

Hello

I work for large company in South Australia who routinely, ie: every three years, refreshes the Windows PC desktops for the latest and greatest hardware. Unlike Linux you have to keep on the upgrade treadmill with Windows!

Many companies like to donate old hardware to schools or other volunteer organisations that need them, however the computer needs an OS, and most companies don't want to pay for a copy of Windows to go on the PC before it is given to someone else.

Enter Ubuntu. We could set up an Ubuntu programme whereby large companies are encouraged to install Ubuntu on these older PCs before they are donated. It would be the vanilla version of Ubuntu, but would be cobranded with some information about the donating company, such as a splash screen saying "Generously donated by XXXXX".

I know there are lots of groups out there that do this, ie: http://www.computerbank.org.au/, but this could be good for Ubuntu and would be a direct way for companies to benefit schools and other volunteer groups.

Cheers

Ben

[Burgundavia]

The person you would want to contact about that would be Benj. Mako Hill, (mako on irc).

Corey

[MikeyXX]

That's an excellent idea! It'll get kids into Linux, allow their decent learning curve to work for them. Drawback is that they would need to have solid support (most schools have an IT who knows MAC or WIN only).

[somuchfortheafter]

hmm i already do this but i give them the option of 98 or ubuntu, if they ask which i recomend of course its ubuntu lol.

[benmoretti]

The person you would want to contact about that would be Benj. Mako Hill, (mako on irc).

Corey

thanks for that, will do.

[benmoretti]

hmm i already do this but i give them the option of 98 or ubuntu, if they ask which i recomend of course its ubuntu lol.

what about licences for 98 to microsoft?

[benplaut]

That's an excellent idea! It'll get kids into Linux, allow their decent learning curve to work for them. Drawback is that they would need to have solid support (most schools have an IT who knows MAC or WIN only).

calling all Ubuntu-running students!

hey... i'm in 8th grade and will be the admin of half of a computer lab (the old junked Win 98 computers with ubuntu)

the students shall come to the rescue!

anyone want to move to Hawaii? i could use some help setting up the rest of the 20 junkers for our middle school lab :roll:

[benmoretti]

That's an excellent idea! It'll get kids into Linux, allow their decent learning curve to work for them. Drawback is that they would need to have solid support (most schools have an IT who knows MAC or WIN only).

this is where ubuntu comes out a winner - the community is so strong it could provide volunteer support to schools, thus growing the level of engagement with the non-geek community (muggles?)

[benmoretti]

calling all Ubuntu-running students!

hey... i'm in 8th grade and will be the admin of half of a computer lab (the old junked Win 98 computers with ubuntu)

the students shall come to the rescue!

anyone want to move to Hawaii? i could use some help setting up the rest of the 20 junkers for our middle school lab :roll:


what about trying these guys http://www.linux.org/groups/usa/hawaii.html they might be able to help you out

[benplaut]

what about trying these guys http://www.linux.org/groups/usa/hawaii.html they might be able to help you out

* Linux Business Network Users Group

City: Honolulu Web Site: http://linuxnetworks.org
Contact: Ronald Willis Email: lug@linuxnetworks.org
Click here for more information


* Mid-Pacific Linux Users Group

City: Honolulu Web Site: http://www.mplug.org
Contact: Warren Togami Email: warren@togami.com
Click here for more information

--

i'm on Big Island :roll:

BILUG (Big Island LUG) is active here, but most of the members are on the other side of the island... i'll ask around in the October meeting (usually the busiest)

[benmoretti]

i'm on Big Island :roll:



whoops! sorry about that - geography of the usa is never my strong point

[benplaut]

whoops! sorry about that - geography of the usa is never my strong point

i didn't learn until 2 years ago that the "Big Island" wasn't the central point of the chain :roll: