[hblug] HBLUG Computer Refurbish Project

[p.spiller at xtra.co.nz]

Here's some ideas and suggestions contributed
from others, outside our group. I hope it's obvious
which is replies to my request.

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HBLUG Computer Refurbish Project

On Tue, Jan 23, 2007 at 12:14:52PM +1300, Perry Spiller 
wrote:

We're a small group, a club, a local Linux Users Group.
We want to 'spread the word' about Linux. We can't
realistically fully emulate the examples of FreeGeek,
but we want to get some tips and generally pursue
the same idea.

We already have some used computer equipment. We plan
to cobble together as many PCs as we can from the bits,
install Ubuntu and then sell (or donate) the resulting
machines to appropriate causes or people. We need the
benefit of others experiences to avoid repeating any
mistakes that others have made.
  
Here's an initial list of questions that we need a little
guidance on:
 
Offer box, screen, mouse and keyboard.
(Sponsored mouse pads, maybe?)
Box extras/contents? (We're not sure)
CD-ROM.
D/U Modem?
(Should we have minimum specs?)

For selling things, if you have a standard spec, it simplifies 
pricing. If giving things to volunteers, a standard helps avoid 
computer envy between individuals... so in general, standard 
specs (maybe at few different levels) are probably a good 
idea. but it's also harder to do with a smaller set of 
hardware...

Printers Y/N? (there seems to be less redundant printers 
around.)

they can be a lot of work... but they can also really pay off if 
you focus on a specific range of models that are worth 
fixing...

Make a modest charge, say $NZ50-100

Offer rebates in exchange for working bits offered as a 
trade-in/swap, e.g. $20 for a box with [suitable] working 
M/B & RAM $10 for a working monitor $5 for a working 
keyboard AND mouse. (Those figures were 'plucked from 
the air' stuff.)

I suspect the whole concept of offering rebates in exchange 
for equipment will be more trouble than it's worth. to 
identify what is working equipment and what isn't would 
either require testing it on the spot(and without some burn-
in, wouldn't really be a good test for things like monitors), or 
relying on good faith ("yeah, I haven't used it for 4 years, but 
I'm sure it still works")... both of which I suspect will be 
problematic... but I could be wrong.

it just seems complicated to me- much simpler to simply 
accept donations of equipment with no expectations of 
anything in return. it also will be less effective at getting 
technology into people's hands who don't already have it.

<snip>

We think that a small charge is better than free. We think 
people will 'value' them more, if they have to make some 
small sacrifice.

if it's also more of a fee-for-service model, you might be less 
likely to get outright donations...

this is also speculation, but i think a sacrifice of volunteer 
time is going to make people feel like they've really earned it 
more than spending a trivial amount of money... especially if 
they built it themselves (like freegeek's build program).

at freegeek portland, there's both methods- there's the 
volunteer program, where you work 24 hours to get a 
computer, and the thrift store, where you can buy one. the 
stuff in the store is usually lower specs than the stuff you 
can get by volunteering.

I'd encourage you to strongly consider building a strong 
volunteer-driven organization, rather than a pay-for-services 
sort of organization.

all that said, the particular dynamics of any given location 
may make it difficult to really do some of those things...

one thing to think about to is: what are your goals?

do you want it to primarily be a resource for the local geeks?

a service to the larger community?

do you want to be involved with schools and non-profit 
organizations in your region?

do you want more of an educational, social, environmental, 
or technology organization?

good luck!

live well,
- vagrant
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Hey Perry,

I recently moved to New Zealand, near Cambridge, from 
Chicago, and have worked with and visited various FREE 
GEEKSs over the years. I've picked up some equipment I'd 
like to donate, and would like to help out, whereabouts are 
you located?

One thing that makes FREE GEEK tick is getting volunteer 
involment in exchange for the computer.  How do you see 
people who need a computer can get involved, actually get 
their hands on the stuff?  Different FREE GEEKs have 
different programs where people volunteer time and get 
some basic skills training, and that to me is the heart of a 
FREE GEEK type program.   It seems to me, that just 
charging a small fee is not as effective as donating time.  
Donating time, and charging a small fee maybe?  Anyway 
maybe we can talk in IRC and if your anywhere near 
Waikato, would like to meet with you.

Best,
John Billings
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Box extras/contents? (We're not sure)
CD-ROM.
D/U Modem?
(Should we have minimum specs?)

Unless you intend to use the boxes as LTSP workstations, 
they will need CD-ROMs. Why? To update and upgrade the 
system.

Ubuntu and the FOSS community as a whole are moving 
away from supporting dialup modems. Dapper Duck 
supported several linmodems out of the box. The current 
version of Ubuntu, Edgy Eft, apparently does not support 
linmodems according to one of Free Geek Michiana's 
volunteers who is delving into modem support in Edgy Eft. 
The same volunteer reports Edgy Eft could not detect an 
external hardware based modem connected to a serial port. 
Dapper Duck recognized the same external modem.

Since low resource boxes will likely end up in the hands of 
low income families, individuals and organizations, modems 
are still the likely choice for connectivity for them. Lack of 
dialup modem support has become a severe impediment to 
Free Geek Michiana meeting its mission to reuse and 
redistribute low resource boxes. Every recipient of our 
FreeBoxes declares the intention to use the computer to 
access the Internet for communication and educational 
purposes. In our surveys, Internet connectivity is the first or 
second most important reason for a low income person or 
organization to possess and use a computer. Few of our low 
income recipients are able or willing to pay for broadband.

Perhaps broadband connectivity is less expensive in NZ, and 
low income persons and groups can afford it. Not so in 
South Bend, Indiana, USA.

Tom
---------------------------------------------

Hey Perry,

I'd like to come to your next meeting, I've never been out 
that way towards Hawke's Bay, let me know when your 
having it, I looked at the website is it first Wednesdays?  
Someone gave me a 333mhz computer which I plan to 
install edubuntu on, if you guys can use it I'll bring it a long.   
I just got a job  so I've been busy the last few days with 
getting a work permit and stuff.  Glad to get in touch with 
you. I'll be going to the WLUG meeting next week don't 
know if you come for that?

Cheers,
John
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BTW - has a date been set for the next meeting?

Perry