Well......from my own perspective I'm a Linux newbie, but I'm getting there slowly but surely (come to think of it I haven't booted into Windows all week). Fact is though that Linux increasing it's share is only going to come about by computers coming pre-loaded with it. I don't know what the situation is down there in Texas, but perhaps as this is a social project to give the computers away maybe you could get some kind of funding (State/ Federal?) to run a computer course for those people teaching them the basics of how to use a computer with Linux. Just an idea.

Otherwise why don't you consider using Lindows, that certainly is something that people could use as easily as Windows 98. Of course with the games side of things its always going to be more difficult, as I guess not that many new users are going to want to buy WineX/Cedega.

Ok.... I get it now... Well, having Linux on a few of them would be a good idea... Are all these computers going to be centrally located in one room, like a school or something, or are they going to individual homes? If they are all going to be in one room or something, having Linux on a few of them would be a great idea. That way everyone knows about it and has the option to sit down at a Linux computer instead of a Windows one. If however, they are going to individual homes, then honestly, I don't see much reason to put Linux on a few of them... Not unless that person is already into Linux and doesn't mind or actually prefers it..... Just a thought....

Hmm - I don't know if I would have much to offer in the way of an "expected startup sequence", because I've been using computers so long that I do a bunch of things constantly that I never really think about. I also use Slackware and don't boot directly into any windows manager, and I'm the command line type, so I couldn't provide that much insight into the mind of a new computer user. It may seem small, but I've always had a knack for proofreading, so if you find articles that you'd like to use or decide to write your own, I'd be happy to look them over for typos or places where clarification might be desirable. I do agree with one of the suggestions above as well that recommends using a HTML guide - opening and paging through a text file, then finding a link to a different text file, opening that up, etc...might be difficult for someone who has just sat down at a keyboard for the first time. HTML interfaces are very user-friendly, and a single click gets you where you need to be, no questions asked. Hope that's helpful.

Right now, any sort of funding is a longshot, as we haven't done anything yet. I'm still waiting to see if my friend has picked up the computers yet. In any case, we will have them by next week. If this project becomes something big, which I actually do intend it to be, then we may look for funding.

The computers will be given to individuals. We do not know of any place that needs computers in a central location, but now that you mention it, I could work out something with my local library and local Ronald McDonald's house.

Right now, my idea on installing Linux on a few of them is to offer the choice to the user. The advantage of using Linux: the basic, small chance of hack, virtually no virus problems; but I can also offer quick and easy remote resources like being able to save files and print from home to their school. Basically, Linux is directly targetting students (who are likely to pick up things fast), and others who are willing to give it a shot. This is why I would like to have the Linux boxes dual-bootable, so in case the user is unhappy with Linux for any reason, he can easily go into windows. Of course, the problem is disk space, and I do not know how much is available.

We are going to partner with two programs right now: Habitat for Humanity, and the School Board for identifying families and students who are in need of computers.

My goal is to extend this from my little town of Temple, hopefully into Austin (and then I can get trickykid to help out too ). I really don't want to charge for anything I do, because all of my work will simply be derivatives of other things I have learned. As I stated before, I cannot put a price on such "intellectual property." On a more pragmatic note, no one in my town will pay any price to try Linux, so it is best I keep it free.

Just a note: it sounds like I am deviating from the projects intention as social work to mere Linux promotion; trust me, this is not the case. I really want the middle-school/high-school students to use Linux because of the options available, and how easily they can be incorporated.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how we can earn some money to keep the project going, it would definitely make us more recognizable and give us a better chance at getting funding.

Thanks!

p.s.: Proofreading skills will definitely be needed. This is a community effort, and I think it is great that so many are offering to help out!

theoneandonlysm; hey had/have same idea long time. at least since 99 when volunteering with AF(arthritis foundation) junking their aged pc,s. at that time requested permission for recieving one to rebuild but unable to transport home. since then found that lot of corporations dispose pc,s . comment: this could be an opportunity for an industry to bloom out of trash heap! have posted same idea with some results.

Alright. We have 58 computers which appear to be functioning, and 8 that will be "canabalized" because something doesn't work and is not immediately fixable.

I didn't get all the specs, because today we just wanted to sort out from the seemingly functioning and the ones that don't function, so that we could take inventory and request computer parts if we needed them.

The computers we work with have the following specs:
Pentium 1 MMX 166 mhz (and a few 200 mhz)
64 megs ram, some with 130 megs ram
Cirrius graphics card, and some S3's
2.5 gig - 4.5 gig harddrives (within this range)
3com base 10 ethernet cards

I would like to know how old I should go with these specs; from the debian systems my friend installed, kde 3.2 was painfully slow and nearly useless. I haven't installed xfce, but hopefully i can take one box and see how that works.

We are in need for cd-drives and modems. Most of the computers given to us had them ripped out already, and we are contacting the hospital for more. We are in need of about 55 modems and 50 cd-drives. If anyone has anything they can donate or know of a company willing to donate, that would be appreciated! Just post here or send me an e-mail.

One thing we are afraid of is the fact that OpenOffice will be insanely slow, specifically in starting up, for these machines. Is there any way to trim it down, speed it up, or will we have to live with it?

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks!

*edit:
Also, with such limited space, could someone compile a list of packages (specifically for Slackware) that really don't need to be installed if the computer is being used for basic computing purposes, as described in previous posts? I will keep XFCE, perhaps the kde and gnome libs, and the tools needed for compilation. Thanks!

theoneandonlysm; before chosing any hardware check these two for compatibility. http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php check all contents of list expanded also http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO/index.html check all devices for compatibility with u r pc,s. useful is
this preinstall check list http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Pre-installati...checklist.html

Ummm...

PLEASE don't set the needy up for failure with an old Microsoft product. Even if you have the licenses don't load Win98. It has memory leaks and security holes. Micro$oft does not want to support (read that "fix") Win98 and anyone who continues to run that old OS is destined to be hacked. Don't do that to your users.

You need to contact FreeGeek (www.freegeek.org.) They have been doing in this community exactly what you want to do in yours. They give away Linux computers to the needy - WITH TRAINING - and provide other low cost solutions to the area.

It's important (IMHO.) Don't set your needy users up for failure or the Micro$oft lock-in.

2sleepy2; absolutly ream out w98 out of them and match the pc,s with linux
compatible hardware then use or donate to needy.

Thanks a lot guys! You really give me the encouragement I need, especially in a time when the promotion of good software is hindered by "outside forces."

The hardware compatibility list is a great place, but I am confident that most cd/dvd drives (including the LG ones) will work without problems. We will test them anyway, so hopefully any problems will come up during that time.

I must reassert, we will likely not, for now, remove the Windows 98 option. I know that the average user cannot tell Linux apart from Windows, but the average user will simply 'refuse' to use something they have never heard before. This is a two-man project, and we have only 58 computers... we are not large enough and do not have enough manpower to provide training and a lot of on-site help. One thing I have learned is that in order to defeat something large and common, such as Windows, you must first work with it, and slowly provide the transitions. This is why I like the dual-boot system. I want to let users have the freedom of choice to use what they wish. If Windows 98 fails (which it likely will), the user can always use Linux with fair ease, until they can get a hold of one of us to fix the problem. We are most Certainly not setting our users up for failure... that would defeat our purpose; we are giving them what they want: ability to use the computer.

I will continue to run this past my friend... Linux will be used on the computers, so there isn't any need for clamor about the choice to use Windows 98.

As for the site Freek Geek: very awesome! I would contact them right away about affiliation, but right now it is too early for me to know how well the project will go in my small, excessively conservative town. I will definitely contact them and see how they deal with the gripes users may have about using Linux.


Now, for the imminent need: We need a name. I would extend Freek Geek, but that simply is not possible now with our lack of resources; also, the specific goals may not match. We need a name for our organization, which will serve to simply bring standard computing technology to people in need. We want an attractive name that everyone can accept; nothing too flowery or extreme (for example, no one in my community would join a community called "Freak Geek"). Our main focus is a name for an organisation/club in my High School. If anyone has ideas, please post them!

Any other suggestions/comments are still welcome, thanks!

theoneandonlysm; make name title simple; ie taking first letter of school,team, that would apporiately do justice to organization. think of some thing that would be easy and outstanding! WOW 58 is not peanuts,
thats a job then some. you have your hand really full. YOU need help yes,
of course dumb question what am i thinking? (pun intended) . LQO is here
to help. of course that includes all open source,s orgs.

Having given computers away myself I have ran into some issues. The person who hasn't used a computer before won't care or understand what an OS is, they simply know they are using a computer. However their friends and family will be glad to share the game or program they loaded on their pc and then wonder why it doesn't work. Or the recipient of the pc will decide to get on this thing called the internet so they will pop in the AOL cd they got in the mail today and wonder why it won't work. Or they may have some money so they will pick up a game/program at WalMart and wonder why it doesn't work either. You will get a lot of calls telling you the computer you gave them is "broken". Be prepared to answer a lot of calls asking to that effect. You also will get called by the neighbors kid who said you gave them a broken computer and he needs the modem drivers for windows 98 so he can reinstall it. Even giving away a pc with windows on it I have had problems, people want to know why the game that required windows XP on a 2GHz P4 won't run on the p166 I gave them and why I gave them a broken computer and how am I going to fix it. I've had people get mad at me and yell at me even because some web page downloaded some spyware which changes a setting. Maybe I've just been burned one too many times but I have had so many people get angry at me after I gave them a compter that I have stopped giving working machines, I will only hand out parts anymore.

Ya, the name will definitely have to be simple, but the problems are that the names I come up with are lame, and the halfway-good-ones are often stereotyped: for example, Computer Club would do justice since I want to do more than simply give away computers, but also offer repairs in the community and work with the school to get a few GNU/Linux boxes up. However, such a title will be stereotyped to outcasted nerd-atrons, and that alienates those who can see the reality of the club from others who would make awesome members but are too worried about their social reputation. The whole reason for the name is to entice people to join, because people Will judge a book by it's cover.
And penguin, you are right that 58 computers is quite a few, and I know that LQ will be here to help... just take a look at this thread . But I also know that if the organization is to survive, we need a Lot more computers continually coming in, since our current ones already have a place to go, once they are setup.

Enine: LOL, you make some very good, interesting points. Thanks for that input. People will definitely have to be told not to go out and buy the latest software from stores... easier said than done, though. I like social work, and I don't think I will get too ticked when I get those phone calls; I can only hope they will keep receipts . But this is once again why I need to keep Windows as an option, just to alleviate the fact that some families will want to run Turbo Tax that their friends will bring over, and we just don't have enough people to setup wine or explain how to use gnucash. No matter how user-friendly gnucash is, I know from personal experience that people will refuse to use it because it is different from Quicken. But also, once people start complaining about spyware that a website downloaded, it is just more enticement to go to Linux... so in a sense, it is a win-win situation....

Thanks!

Note that a lot of opened software can't be returned even with the receipt and a lot of the software that gets installed on a new users pc is stuff that is borrowed and crap like elf bowling that gets e-mailed. You will get a lot of calls

jong357,maillman,theoneandonlysm, &enine; i,m back, lastest input found
a site that is working in that direction:http:[url]www.sharetechnology.org/reuse/scroll.asp, wow[url] what amazes me is that all metro cites complain about their landfils getting full
(get this) with toxic monitors & p.c,s components(the lead,chromium + other
substances) and this org is begging for pc,s.? why are large companies,corporation and public services why are they dumping their P.C,s? no comprhend?