[ale] Volunteer work for non-profits

[Greg]

The answer is probably in many layers:

1.  All PC's given to kids *have* to be the exact same, else the kids start
whining over "Why is Susie's PC bigger/bluer/smaller/etc etc than mine.  So
standardization is req'd in some aspects of their operations.

2.  More games on PC's. (I dunno, I just made this up).

3.  It's a M$ world.  I know that this is a poor forum for pointing out this
fact, but a fact it is.

4.  Their website says kinda that they are open to Linux provided that they
have the things many small businesses need. i.e.:



Why doesn't Free Bytes offer updated versions of Windows on their PCs?

Free Bytes 'can' distribute copies of updated versions of windows
(preferably Windows 95b), provided that the original license for the
operating system is donated with the PC. The original license is the
"Certificate of Authenticity." If your are in an office environment, the
network administrator may have a drawer full of them.

Otherwise, as a non-profit, Free Bytes is only authorized to distribute
copies of Windows 3.11 and earlier. While it is not the latest software out
there, it is perfectly suitable for the database management, word
processing, and spreadsheets that are the greatest needs among non-profits
requesting computers.



So, I think that they are open in many respects, but you have to be mindful
of reality.  I dunno, you would really have to ask them.  However, Windows,
in some cases, runs on old stuff better, since it is not as strict as a *nix
on stuff (read M$ has lower reliability standards.

Greg Canter



> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-admin at ale.org [mailto:ale-admin at ale.org]On Behalf Of Geoffrey
> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 11:41 PM
> To: ale at ale.org
> Subject: Re: [ale] Volunteer work for non-profits
>
>
> Greg wrote:
> > Well, it is basically wall to wall of old semi/old equipment.
> It is located
> > in an old theatre/club that used to be known as "Ground Zero".
> They have an
> > AS400 they are trying to get up (and I suggested putting Linux
> on it). I put
> > in a Samba server today.  They need help processing and fixing
> all manner of
> > PC's and printers.
> >
> > I saw a table that looked it was out of museum.... old PC's that used to
> > ran/run off a floppy (the 5 1/4 " kind), Apple II (?), stacks
> of Apple power
> > PC's, SE-30's (sniff sniff, my first computer), and everything else you
> > could imagine.  CPM anyone ?
>
> I should donate one of my 3b2s. :)
>
> >
> > They refurbish equipment for donation to non-profits, they help teach
> > classes to disadvantaged youth and give them PC's at the end of
> the course,
> > and help train volunteers to fix PC's.  Anyone who has cracked
> a box open
> > would do well
>
> Hmm, cracked a good 4-5 over the past week.  So you're saying knowledge
> with getting these pieces into working systems.
>
> > They have way more stuff than they have folks to help.  The
> PC's they give
> > away have Windows 95 and 98 on them,
>
> So, how do the deal with the licensing issues regarding these OSs.
> Maybe we should sit down with them and try to understand why the
> continue to promote M$, verses Linux?  If these things are going to
> nonprofits, they don't need M$, I would expect whatever it is they do,
> there's a viable Linux solution.
>
> --
> Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net
>
> The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user agreement.
> Think about it...
>
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