Free Geeks?

[teejay17]

Hi all,
I'm just curious if anyone here has experience with Free Geeks (http://www.freegeek.org/)? I'd love to get something similar going in my community (maybe Free Geeks, maybe not) and would love to hear from those with first-hand experience.
Cheers

[Ghost|BTFH]

No experience with Free Geek, but I've offered my services to local NPOs etc. To me, if you're going to help, don't get anything out of it - just help out.

[forrestcupp]

That's a pretty cool organization.

[Famicube64]

It's a great place to pick up weird adapters for next to nothing. You just need to know what to look for.

[teejay17]

Yeah, I'm not looking to get anything out of it except some more experience configuring Ubuntu on different machines, and also helping the promotion of free/open source software.

[sidzen]

One in Vancouver (http://www.jigsaw.com/id2229777/free_geek_company.xhtml), so there is likely an affiliate Free Geek near you!

[teejay17]

One in Vancouver (http://www.jigsaw.com/id2229777/free_geek_company.xhtml), so there is likely an affiliate Free Geek near you!
Sort of. Toronto is only a 4.5 hour drive away!

[Dr. C]

It is a great idea and one that uses Ubuntu to help address the very fast growing environmental problem of eWaste.

[teejay17]

It is a great idea and one that uses Ubuntu to help address the very fast growing environmental problem of eWaste.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I'd love to get something like that going for my city, even in a small, probably unaffiliated way (at first).
My biggest challenge is figuring out how best to connect with like-minded individuals here, to get such a program at least initiated.

[Dr. C]

I am approximately 800km away from the nearest Free Geek in Vancouver (http://freegeekvancouver.org/) so I have no direct knowledge, but there is a lot of information on how the organization operates in their wiki (http://wiki.freegeekvancouver.org/).

[christopher.wortman]

That makes me want to start one of my own around here lol. I would so be into that. Imagine how many people would go for a "free computer" or a computer for next to nothing... just to take it home and go to boot it up with anticipation.... Surprise its not Windows, its Kubuntu! lmao then the phone call "sorry we don't support Windows"

[sidzen]

teejay17 said, "My biggest challenge is figuring out how best to connect with like-minded individuals here, to get such a program at least initiated."

Suggest starting at colleges and universities and, by the looks of it(see http://www.trade-schools.ca/ontario/sudbury.asp), you are situated nicely to make contacts for old, discarded PCs. Hard drives may be a problem, as most do not like to chance having data deemed important floating about.

Start small, perhaps with a basic info website and a guest book, for people to let their interest and contact info be known. Don't expect it to take off overnight.

Lots of initial footwork posting flyers and meeting people,, a business card, a dependable phone number, a
digital camera and an email address will be helpful initial outlays. {See here (http://www.zazzle.com/businesscards) for good deals on business cards}

Teach kids about Linux!

Best wishes to anyone choosing to take action in this regard

[christopher.wortman]

teejay17 said, "My biggest challenge is figuring out how best to connect with like-minded individuals here, to get such a program at least initiated."

Suggest starting at colleges and universities and, by the looks of it(see http://www.trade-schools.ca/ontario/sudbury.asp), you are situated nicely to make contacts for old, discarded PCs. Hard drives may be a problem, as most do not like to chance having data deemed important floating about.

Start small, perhaps with a basic info website and a guest book, for people to let their interest and contact info be known. Don't expect it to take off overnight.

Lots of initial footwork posting flyers and meeting people,, a business card, a dependable phone number, a
digital camera and an email address will be helpful initial outlays. {See here (http://www.zazzle.com/businesscards) for good deals on business cards}

Teach kids about Linux!

Best wishes to anyone choosing to take action in this regard

Craigslist :guitar:

[teejay17]

Thanks everyone for the ideas so far. Colleges and universities are a great idea--there are at least 3 major ones here in town. A website is also a good idea (would WordPress.com be a good place to start, as it is free?). Ditto Craigslist or alternative (around here no one uses that, but instead for some reason use "Kijiji").

[donkyhotay]

Free geek is awesome. If you have one in your area I strongly recommend checking it out. If you don't then you might want to get in touch with them to see about setting one up in your area.

[teejay17]

Free geek is awesome. If you have one in your area I strongly recommend checking it out. If you don't then you might want to get in touch with them to see about setting one up in your area.

Agreed.

[juancarlospaco]

I dont understand " in exchange for community service. "
Yes, i have read the web, but still...

[donkyhotay]

Basically you volunteer time working there helping them recycle old electronics (mostly computers) and in exchange you can earn yourself a new computer or at least discounts on used parts.

[Warpnow]

Its a self-sustaining NPO model by requiring the people receiving aid to in turn provide aid to the people that receive it after them.

Quite brilliant in my opinion.