CNN's Hero Contest - Supporting one of our own - Needs help!

[southernman]

I just got this on the Ubuntu-Server mailing list. It's a plea for fellow Linux users to support one of our own in CNN's Hero Contest.

Please help James if you can, or are so inclined to do so.

The entire email is copied below: (removing email addresses of the individuals of course)


He is behind by about 100 votes, but could catch up if a few more people voted!


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Christian Einfeldt
Date: Oct 1, 2007 2:16 PM
Subject: [sf-lug] Major SF Bay Area Linux donor is number 2 in a CNN
"hero" contest
To: SF-LUG


hi

As many of you know, James Burgett of the Alameda County Computer
Recycling Center has given 30 Ubuntu boxen to our local public middle
school FOSS project. Actually, this email is being written on one of
those boxen.

Now, CNN is running a contest to see who the most popular hero of our
day. Number one currently is a guy who is working to prevent the
extinction of gorillas, certainly a laudable goal. But James is
number two.

Now we have a chance to support him by voting in a CNN contest to
determine who is the most favorite hero. Saving Gorillas is awesome,
but IMHO, giving away 16k Linux boxes to people who really need them
is even better. Please consider digging this story below, and then
voting for James on the CNN site. Thanks either way!

http://digg.com/linux_unix/Man_is_Dugg_4_donating_16_000_Linux_boxes_now_is_n o_2_in_CNN_hero_contest

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/cnn.heroes/

BTW, I do not work for either James or for CNN. Most of you already
knew that. But it bears repeating.

-- Christian Einfeldt, Producer, The Digital Tipping Point _______________________________________________
-- ubuntu-server mailing list ubuntu-server@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-server More info: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ServerTeam

Thanks for reading and helping if it's your choice to do so. I am sure James will appreciate it also.

edited- Updated Digg links:
Original digg - http://digg.com/linux_unix/16_000_Linux_computers_delivered_for_free

Latest digg - http://digg.com/videos/people/Man_is_Dugg_4_donating_16,000_Linux_boxes,_now_is_ no.2_in_CNN_hero_contest_

[southernman]

bump... for a good cause

[LookTJ]

I voted :)

[southernman]

fixing links for the digg article(s)

Original digg - http://digg.com/linux_unix/16_000_Linux_computers_delivered_for_free

Latest digg - http://digg.com/videos/people/Man_is_Dugg_4_donating_16,000_Linux_boxes,_now_is_ no.2_in_CNN_hero_contest_

James is now in the lead, but let us continue to spread the word and push him so far over the top, there is no way he won't be a candidate for CNN's award in the final round.

[southernman]

I voted :)
kewl

ty :)

[p_quarles]

Just voted. Looks like Burgett is now in the lead by more than 100 votes.

[reyfer]

I'm sure that James Burgett is doing a great job, and he deserves support, but... as an environmentalist myself (I have my own Eco-adventure travel company), I see the preservation of wildlife as a little more important. I was tempted to vote for Burgett, but then my niece (she's 10 years old) told me something that made me consider it: she said she would be sad if the PC she uses came at the cost of one gorilla's life. Sorry.

[DeadSuperHero]

I remember seeing him on CNN Heroes with Robin and Company. I immediately spotted Ubuntu 7.04 on the computers.
I was like "Oh my God, Sweeet!"

[southernman]

Just voted. Looks like Burgett is now in the lead by more than 100 votes.
Yeah... looks like that email to the server list kicked in, along with the diggs of course. When I posted the thread here, with my vote he was down by 95.

@reyfer - I appreciate your position, as anyone could/would. It's why I suggested in the OP:
Please help James if you can, or are so inclined to do so.I feel that animal rights activist and environmentalist are actually serving the same purpose in the end.

@Mr. Psychopath - You mean there is something else available to use? ;)

[southernman]

bump! :p

[southernman]

up nearly 200 points now

[curuxz]

I'm sure that James Burgett is doing a great job, and he deserves support, but... as an environmentalist myself (I have my own Eco-adventure travel company), I see the preservation of wildlife as a little more important. I was tempted to vote for Burgett, but then my niece (she's 10 years old) told me something that made me consider it: she said she would be sad if the PC she uses came at the cost of one gorilla's life. Sorry.


Lol if he loses I dont think Burgett is going to go on a killing spree of gorilla's :P

No harm in them losing a contest. :)

[southernman]

Lunchtime bump! ;)

Up by 232 - w00t

[Perfect Storm]

Voted :KS

[mips]

Are we being rational & objective here ? Does he really deserve the #1 spot ?

Are there not more important things in life ?

[Perfect Storm]

Are we being rational & objective here ? Does he really deserve the #1 spot ?

Are there not more important things in life ?

Well, there's so many thing in the world that is unfair/bad/"evil" so it's hard to pick one, that try to make the world a better place. All of them should be celebrated as heroes.

[drphilngood]

While voting for him, I spotted this:


The top vote-getter in each of the six CNN Hero categories will compete in an online vote starting Monday, November 12, with the winner honored at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"!

...so don´t forget to check back.:)

[Kymac]

Are we being rational & objective here ? Does he really deserve the #1 spot ?

Are there not more important things in life ?

IMO, James is helping people. He is helping human beings, and he's also helping to clean up the home front. Which, I value more than saving some Gorillas, or keeping some mountains. Not to downplay any of the other people here, but I truely think he is the one that is doing something I have the most respect for.

[JustinAllen]

Voted! James is doing a great job!

[southernman]

Are we being rational & objective here ? Does he really deserve the #1 spot ?

Are there not more important things in life ?It doesn't seem as though you are... really. Not without qualifying what your points are IMO.

I feel he does deserve the number one spot, over the other candidates he is up against atm. If you don't, then that is ok... really it is. ;)

Yes, there are more important things in life. What James is doing/has done, is also important and not just to him... but the the people he employs, trains, and helps to give them a sense or purpose! More important than that though, are the over 16,000 people that otherwise may not have had a computer... now do. And it cost them not one red cent!

To have come from his upbringing and the odds he faced... to have done/be doing what he is seeing through to fruition is nothing short of awe inspiring.

What is your complaint?

To everyone that's taken part since my lunch time bump... =D> Thank you! I am sure James would thank you himself, if he knew this was going on here at UF.org.

[p_quarles]

I'm with you on this, southernman. It's not to denigrate any other cause, just to say that we should not underestimate the value of bringing working computers to under-served children. Geeks like us all (or mostly) started early -- who remembers BASIC? -- and we reap the benefits of that today. You don't have a computer, you don't learn to use one, and that will become more and more of a disadvantage in the years to come.

[RomeReactor]

Personally I side with James' opinion on this (http://aftermath-technologies.blogspot.com/2007/10/cnn-heroes.html). If people living in California want to help him, you can do so by contacting the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/) and show your support for the Alameda County Computer Resource Center.

Just my 2 cents.

[southernman]

Thanks p_quarles!

Thank you too RomeReactor, for pointing out how flawed "the suit's" can be. These bureaucrats should be reminded of these things come next election time, with a vote for their opponents.

Voting ends Monday, the 8th. If you've not voted, please do so. If you've not forwarded this plea to other mailing lists and friends yet, please do so if it's something you would like to help James with.

[Paul820]

I left my mark. :) This guy is doing a great thing and i hope he can continue to do it.

[southernman]

I left my mark. :) This guy is doing a great thing and i hope he can continue to do it.
Thanks Paul820... I couldn't agree more, obviously so! :)

[southernman]

Sunday Brunch Bump! w00t

[southernman]

It's Disco fever time...

do da hustle!




BUMP!

[southernman]

James could really use some more support, folks. His competition must have had a community based rally in the voting too, as they are mighty close in numbers again.

Please, place your vote where you feel it's most deserved.

Bedtime bump! :p

[southernman]

neighbors dog barking waking me up.... bump! grrrr

[southernman]

James only has a 7 vote lead now... :(

[CarpKing]

Thanks for the heads up. I voted for Rutagarama, because benefiting two species is better than one.