Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

[cadfael]

Greetings all,

I live in Norfolk, Virginia. Recently over coffee some co-workers and I were kicking around the idea of starting up a nonprofit whose goal would be to refurbish older computers and then give them away to students in the area who couldn't afford to buy one new. We would also have fundraisers to pay for dialup access.

We have decided to go with Kubuntu over other distros (the other alternative was CentOS) due to the ease of use and so forth. I think that Kubuntu with the appropriate language packs will be the best bet.

Anyway I just thought everyone here would be stoked to hear about this! We have set up agreements with Norfolk Freecycle and are talking with the Norfolk Public Schools about placement. Hopefully we will start doing installs this summer. As of yet we cannot really take donations because the paperwork to be recognized as a nonprofit takes about a year. However, any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

[ericesque]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

Good on you guys! I like the idea a lot. Although, what will be even better is when Dapper stable is released and hopefully *fingers crossed* configuring all those computers will become quite a bit easier. --I heard april release, so it should definitley be available by summer.

If you ever have trouble with config, installation, anything else, you know what community to come to

[Open Source]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

Thats great to hear. Where are you planning on getting your computers from. Just curious.

[cadfael]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

Well I live in a military town (Norfolk, VA). You can get a lot of older hardware at the Defense Reclamation & Marketing Office (DRMO)...it is usually sold in auctions with something they are trying to get rid of, like a pallet of moldy old uniforms or something.

There are a couple of business I spoke with who are willing to donate all their old stuff when they upgrade--once we get our status as a nonprofit straightened out and they can get a tax benefit.

And there are always private donations.

I could use some advice on standardizing our hardware--or recommendations of what to look out for in terms of compatibility.

The current plan requires all our computers to be 500 mhz or faster, with a CD burner and a sound card. Any additional requirements you guys can think of would be great.

[cadfael]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

Oh yeah--and since Easy Kubuntu doesn't yet work with Breezy, if anyone can point me at guides to getting the systems set up so the users can play MP3s and burn CDs and all that other stuff--that is, so we can get the best basic desktop experience--let me know!

[Open Source]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

You might want to look for at least 256 MB of RAM and at least a 10 GB hard drive.

[Nirvana]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

Oh yeah--and since Easy Kubuntu doesn't yet work with Breezy, if anyone can point me at guides to getting the systems set up so the users can play MP3s and burn CDs and all that other stuff--that is, so we can get the best basic desktop experience--let me know!

Wait about 2 weeks, and EasyUbuntu will be released, with Kubuntu support (I asked in #easyubuntu for this info btw), and all will be well

[Lobo]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

I also recycle and refurbish old computers, as a hobby, for kids who would not otherwise have a computer at home. Presently I install win98 and set them up with the basics.

But, after downloading and using Kubuntu for several weeks now, I've decided to migrate away from Micro$oft for my personal and business use.

When I get more expertise (I do have to assist the kids with learning) I am going to install Kubuntu on these computers. I don't envision too much difficulty in the kids transitioning back to Window$ at school. I also think that using free source will allow these students to REALLY learn computers.

EasyKubuntu or Edubuntu look promising.

This has probably been said before but I can't help but feel:

Kubuntu!!! Open Source! - Open Mind!! - Open World!!!

[Nirvana]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

I also recycle and refurbish old computers, as a hobby, for kids who would not otherwise have a computer at home. Presently I install win98 and set them up with the basics.

But, after downloading and using Kubuntu for several weeks now, I've decided to migrate away from Micro$oft for my personal and business use.

When I get more expertise (I do have to assist the kids with learning) I am going to install Kubuntu on these computers. I don't envision too much difficulty in the kids transitioning back to Window$ at school. I also think that using free source will allow these students to REALLY learn computers.

EasyKubuntu or Edubuntu look promising.

This has probably been said before but I can't help but feel:

Kubuntu!!! Open Source! - Open Mind!! - Open World!!!

Depending on the age (if they're young), give 'em edubuntu, they'll love it!

[askrieger]

Re: Using Kubuntu as the basis of a charity

Cadfael:
I was reading the February issue of Linux Journal and I came across an artcle(Thin Clients Pay More by Stephen Sefton, pp 76-79) from a guy who is doing in Nicaragua what you are doing in Norfolk. He is using donated PCs (from the Toronto Rotary Club) as thin clients (RAM >= 32MB, Speed >= 266MHz) with s/w from the Linux Terminal Server Project. Basically, it's much easier to get PCs from local businesses who are upgrading, if you don't want the hard drives. Instead you use a server (1 GB of RAM and 2.4 GHz processor, for a dozen clients) and boot Ubuntu Breezy or SUSE 10.0 from the LAN.

Setting it up is non-trivial but there are instructions and, if you can find a subscriber (I'm not, unfortunately). You can download the software from the Linux Journal website.