[NCLUG] Re: FreeGeek

[William Dan Terry]

Nice program. Sounds well thought out. That approach could be useful
everywhere.

I like to travel and have noticed that what Americans throw out in terms
of computers would actually be advanced technology (for the populace -
individuals, schools,... - not big businesses) in many countries. I've had
a vision of organizing something to get American "throw aways" to other
countries for their schools.

Well, I found something closer to home.

I don't know how many locals have heard of Nightwalker Enterprises, but
it's a charity started by Louis Nightwalker to provide assistance to
Native Americans on reservations. Over the years I'd donated computer
equipment and school supplies to them and got to know the people
there. After Louis' passing, his sister Birdie took on the task. Other key
players there are Andi and Birdie's son, Kent.

Anyway, one time talking to Birdie she told me about their plight. They
end up with lots of donated computers with no sw licenses, and even
questionable operation. They had a back room filled with them. So I took
on the task of trying to get some of them operational in Linux to
alleviate the license issue and get more power for the level of
hardware.

While some people may not be as concerned about licensing in such a
situation, if you think about it, they can't really afford to be sued by
the likes of M$. If I recall, Andi or Birdie had written M$ to ask if they
could get an exemption for older software in their case and received an
unfavorable answer.

I put out a plea to CSU and there appeared Iz'an Zorlu. He and I worked to
get some of the systems operational, partly by scavenging many of the
donated "systems" for enough parts to make full systems. On top of things
we had a time crunch as Nightwalker had to move, were also losing their
warehouse, and didn't have much space at their new location.

So they took truck and trailer loads! to the dump and paid to dump
them. So while local business took their tax deductions for donating
mostly unusable systems (only a small percent had HDs), Nightwalker, a
charity to help people, footed the bill for disposing of the stuff.

I don't recall now, but we got 5-10 systems for them out of over 100
units donated.

They've now changed their policy on what they'll accept, and I don't
recall what that was (I was just there a few days ago dropping off some
Windows type sw left over from my old business where we had some M$
machines too, but didn't think of catching up on their computer situations
- I was in a hurry). I'll be seeing what their needs are again, and if
there is interest, maybe we can get some more machines going for
them. I've been checking out the Gnome sw and there are grade books and
other goodies. Nightwalker has also had the need in the past for computers
to use for reservation libraries. So let me know if anybody is
interested. I'll be glad to spearhead the effort.

Peace, William

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