MarkTerranova
=The Linux for Communities Project=
- --- Life changing skills through life changing gifts.
Linux for Communities is an outreach organization based in Northern California. We are committed to bringing technology to those that are underserved in our Community. Hardships can be alleviated by the ownership and use of computers.
- The first thing that struck me about Linux is how empowering it can. Older computers become very useful when coupled a FREE software suite. A full set of programs: Open office.org, media software, Internet with Firefox, and pretty much everything else you might want to do. An 800 MHz or older can run most things most people do. Linux gives you numerous options, without all the Redmond proprietary fun. You can take Ubuntu have the comfort of knowing there is support help with a predictable lifespan.
Another advantage is the live CD. Although it is slower it works sufficiently as a failsafe. Ooops, the hard drive doesn't work? The proper live CD will boot up and allow use of internet, word processing, database, academic, even photo editing & media. If this is done with a cheap thumb drive- you can even save what you do. I would have no problem setting up Winxp (I’ve done it professionally for years.) It is that those DAMN licenses cost more money than the hardware. I use xp myself sometimes. It's also more of a liability as far a proper software licensing goes.
`+My short story and conversion+
The Linux for Communities Project is part of an overall plan to change the community –one person at a time. I am currently in the formative stages of starting a non-profit charity. The board members are in the process of drafting the by-laws, core-beliefs and such… We want to focus on unmet needs. We are unabashed in our belief that to help those in need, we must listen. We believe societal change is rooted in the changes that are needed in individuals.
- +My conversion to community software+
I started how most people start; open source or cross-platform applications. (One of my websites {artgrin.com} has links to some more in-depth explanations.) I tried many different photo editing programs. Most were either very limited or very expensive. I found two choices satisfactory paint.net & the gimp. The Gimp is a great program. I used it, & began researching how to make it perform faster. I pondered using Linux for a while (having had frustrating experiences with it years ago.) Although I’d heard it was much better now, I was hesitant. I began trying different distributions (Distros.)Knoppix worked really well, I could just never get over the idea of the occasional error message in German (I felt as if I was being scolded.)
A few Distros later I found Ubuntu. It’s my happy medium. It gives users safe options. It's techie possibilities are great (once the universal repositories are open!) Ubuntu also has the comfort of knowing there is support, with a predictable lifespan. It just has the right balance of eye candy and reliability. After a while, I felt comfortable enough to test it on someone else.I now carried a few extra LiveCD’s with me, just waiting for more ‘conversion’ opportunities. My Mom was a little hesitant at first. She started out slowly, but, soon had got the knack for it. After I began to see others could use it successfully, I felt safe in recommending it to others. My mom recently passed, but not before helping me start the charity in full. We donated the First computer to a women's transitional housing facilty. I just donated a desktop with Xubuntu to someone with physical challenges. She is very happy with it.
- I work at Quantum Gaming Cafe they are helping with some deskspace. I've just had a couple more decent machines donated. I have some people to help with the building process. My list of allies is growing.
It is a neat act to give a man a fish. My goal is to empower by teaching people how to fish. We want to give them life changing skills through life changing gifts.
- I want to meet more people who know the world can be changed --- one computer at a time.
We can give them life changing skills through life changing gifts.