[svlug] Let them eat cake (Linux for the poor)

[Paul Cubbage]

It's very hard to help people and even give things away.  I've tried more
than once.  Generally, I haven't been good at helping individuals but have
helped organizations.  I got involved at Dataquest when they modernized
systems in the early 90's.  I wanted a few computer tables for a school and
ended up with 400+ XT/AT systems, monitors, printers, terminals, etc.  My
brother and I ended up configuring each one with DOS, a monitor, printer,
and some basic software.  The scouts used a lot and there was shareware
available.  We gave them also to schools, senior centers, some church
projects.  It took a lot of time and trouble.
Helping individuals is difficult.  The real problem is getting them
motivated to seek help.  The best idea is to let them self select.  Some ads
on bulleting boards, local papers etc.
Enough caveats.  The issues are:
- Find computers.  Many companies have rooms full of 386-486 stuff and don't
want to spend the effort to haul them off.
- Find people who need them  There are blue collar types who are now
homeless.  You might start with the shelters.  How would they store a
computer is one problem.  Many charitable organizations are struggling to
network their systems.  Goodwill is involved in re-training and doing things
there could help them and trainees. Linux might be perfect for that.
- Train them.  I don't think an install-fest and a manual are enough.
Week-end classes or evenings might work.  The issue then is the place to
teach.
BTW, if they do get started and want to get serious, student loans are
available for DeVries and other trade schools.  Whatever you may think of
them, I have two friends who both have good jobs and started out of trade
school.
It all takes time and patience.  Good luck!
Paul Cubbage
Open Country
23450 Old Santa Cruz Hwy
Los Gatos, CA 95032
408-353-2164 408-353-8181FAX
paul at opencountry.net


-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-svlug at svlug.org [mailto:owner-svlug at svlug.org] On Behalf Of Hans
Cathcart
Sent:	Friday, November 20, 1998 9:32 PM
To:	svlug at svlug.org
Subject:	[svlug] Let them eat cake (Linux for the poor)

Let me first qualify that being poor in Silicon Valley means you are not
making enough to pay for rent by yourself in a cheap place.

But, on Wednesday I was chatting with a 3Com security guard, he was on the
graveyard shift, and he mentioned something about: "Someday I'll buy a
computer." And I wondered why he didn't have one already. Well, he said
that his salary wasn't all that good. (I'm guessing close to minimum wage),
which got me thinking. I reassured him that computers are getting cheaper
and cheaper and soon they'll be trivial even for someone with a not so
great a salary.

So I'm wondering is there any value finding used computers for low income
people, assembling them and installing Linux.  Is there any value in trying
to teach people that don't have computer experience at all, something as
relatively complex as system administration.  If it worked could people who
learn Linux, but have few years of computer experience get well paying jobs
in the valley? I always hear people focussing on giving computers to
children, which is a good thing, but adults need them also. In fact, if
adults manage to raise their incomes through computer technology skills,
this is a very positive sign for their children, perhaps even better than
focussing so much attention on kids.

Is the fact that Linux is free, and runs on really cheap hardware
potentially an opportunity to help minimum wage workers raise their
incomes?  I would never think of thinking about this in the Windows world,
because in order to improve skills there, you need money for software. With
Linux you only need time and patience.

What things would be required?

1.) CPU that can run X and Netscape
2.) Monitor
3.) Printer
4.) Phone and Internet connection
5.) Instruction and advice at Installfests and online.

I'd be interested in hearing what you all think.

--
Hans Cathcart ________________________ http://www.itavera.com/~hans/
   Itavera Inc. - Web developers for the embedded systems market
        w:650-369-8381 - hans at itavera.com - c:650-400-2707
________ Linux - The Operating System for the 21st Century _________



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