Ian writes:
adam@thebowery.co.uk wrote:
Of course, we could setup a "Free Linux Computer" campaign [...]
Now that is what I call a good idea.
This is something we've discussed in Peterborough (PLUG), and I agree its a good idea. We're at the early stages so far (ie we haven't really done anything other than talk about it, but it only came up in discussion a month ago) but I'd be keen to see which way ALUG go with it and see if we can share experiences.
My feeling is that we should try to source second hand hardware of a pre-defined minimal spec, turn it into a "standard" config which we (PLUG in our case) would decide on, based on personal preferences, ease of use for new users, etc, then either return it to the donator (ideally they'd be at the meeting for the install anyway) or give them to worthy causes (or, perhaps, sell them at nominal cost in aid of worthy causes).
The key here is to decide what is a minimum spec. I personally have spare kit of 386/486/P75 level which it seems a shame to throw out, but that's below what I'd even suggest for a firewall. Taking donations of old kit which isn't realisticallly going to be useful just means our meeting venue (my office) will get filled with a PC junk archive. And, of-course, this should promote Linux; if you give someone a Linux box based on slow kit, and they compare it against their friends fast XP machine, it could (unfairly) do a lot of damage to the image of Linux, rather than support it.
Discussions on PLUG's list didn't really reach a conclusion of what a minimum spec should be, but ALUG's list is more active so maybe a concensus here would be more likely?
Incidentally, we (my company) have done some work for a local government funded environment/recycling organisation. I would like to have a proposal to put to them regarding recycling "old" hardware and se whether they'd support it, but I kind of need more flesh on the proposal than I have at the moment. Although Peterborough based, their schemes cover much of East Anglia. See www.bems.co.uk for more info. Suggestions for how to tackle them welcomed!