Installfest for Schools @ LinuxWorld

Donating Open Source computers to schools on recycled hardware from the ACCRC during LinuxWorld August 4-7, 2008

Unwanted Hardware		Community		Computers for Schools
	+		=

Building on the success of the first Installfest for Schools on March 1st, 2008, we are launching a global installfest this Summer at LinuxWorld! We'll be refurbishing older computers, recycled by the Alameda County Computer Resource Center, right on the LinuxWorld Expo floor August 4-7, 2008. With over 10,000 GNU/Linux users attending LinuxWorld, theres no telling how many F/OSS computers we can donate to Schools. But why stop there? We're working with volunteers all over the world to organize Installfests for Schools in their own neighborhoods during the week of LinuxWorld.

How You Can Help:

Volunteer at LinuxWorld

Volunteer in your neighborhood

Organize an Installfest for Schools in your neighborhood

Nominate a school to receive computers

Suggest a recycler to participate

Donate a computer

Join the mailing list

Why Installfests for Schools are cool:

Helps spread F/OSS (Ubuntu, Firefox, OpenOffice & more)
Helps bridges the Digital Divide with underprivileged users
Keeps toxic computer equipment out of landfills
Brings the community together for a great cause

FAQs

What is Open Source Software?

What Open Source Software is being installed?

Why Ubuntu?

Is there any tech support available?

Won't schools just reinstall many Windows?

Why are Untangle and the ACCRC doing this?

My School needs computers, how do we apply?

What about non-profits?

I have an old computer, how can I recycle it?

Which schools are receiving the donated computers?

About ACCRC

The Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit electronics recycler (Tax ID 68-0395504) with a two part mission:

Keeping toxic electronic waste from landfills
Helping bridge the digital divide through free and open source software

In order to achieve these goals, the ACCRC collects electronic waste from the public with out charging any fees and refurbishes discarded computer equipment with Ubuntu in order to be donated to schools, non-profits and economically and/or physically disadvantaged individuals. The ACCRC's sister organization, the Marin Computer Resource Center, operates out of Novato, California.

ACCRC Founder, James Burgett has recently been featured on CNN as part of their popular CNN Heroes: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Achievements series and the CBS Evening News.

About Untangle

Untangle was founded with the vision of untangling the complexities of technology, initially targeting network security and control for small and mid-size businesses. The company follows Open Source development practices to create better code and make it widely available. The Untangle Gateway Platform, the world’s first commercial-grade open source solution for blocking spam, spyware, viruses, adware and unwanted content on the network, provides a free and better alternative to costly, inflexible proprietary appliances. Untangle's applications are currently being used in thousands of businesses in a variety of industries, including financial services, real estate, education, bio-science, and professional services. Untangle is located in San Mateo, California.

About LinuxWorld Conference & Expo

LinuxWorld Conference & Expo is the premier event exclusively focused on Linux and open source solutions. As the world’s most comprehensive marketplace for open source products and services, LinuxWorld provides business decision-makers with information and resources to implement Linux and open source solutions into business infrastructure and enterprise networks. For more information or to register for the event, visit the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo Web site at www.linuxworldexpo.com, or call (800) 657-1474. For exhibiting opportunities, please contact Amy Bonner at (508) 424-4892 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or Giovanni Stein at (508) 424-4864 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ellen Boland at (508) 988-7830 or Michelle Mohr at (508) 424-4855, or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Answers to FAQ:

What is Open Source Software?

The Open Source Definition was written by Bruce Perens and contains 11 criteria that software must meet in order to be "Open Source." The first 3 criteria ensure that Open Source software is free to use and distribute, access to source code is available and that modifications and derived works are allowed. GNU/Linux, and Firefox are popular examples of Open Source software.

What Open Source Software is being installed?

Schools will be receiving desktops running Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop Edition. Schools will also have the option of receiving systems runnning Untangle's Open Source Network Gateway in order to protect their students from spam, spyware, and maintain a safe learning environment by blocking porn, gambling and other inappropriate websites. Ubuntu and Untangle both leverage many popular open source projects including:

Ubuntu		Untangle
-GNU / Linux		-SpamAssassin
-Gimp		-PostgresSQL
-Firefox		-OpenVPN
-OpenOffice		-ClamAV
-Evolution		-Snort
-Gnome		-Vipul's Razor
-Pidgin		-FuzzyOCR


...and much, much more!

Why Ubuntu?

We believe that Ubuntu is the easiest open source operating system for anyone transitioning from Windows because its designed with non-technical "everyday" people in mind. In fact, "Linux for Humans" has been a popular Ubuntu slogan. Also, Ubuntu comes pre-installed with excellent email, productivity and multimedia applications in addition to the vast library of free software maintained in their online catalog that anyone can download and install at the click of a button.

Is there any tech support available?

Yes. Untangle and Ubuntu both have excellent free community support through forums, wikis, mailing lists and IRC. Both companies also offer live phone support to paid subscribers.

Won't many schools just reinstall Windows?

First and foremost we are seeking out schools that are willing to try Open Source software. And given how easy Ubuntu is to use vs. the days it would take to reinstall Windows on each computer... were hoping it won't be long they start converting their pre-existing Windows computers! Ultimately, we believe that giving children access to computers and protecting our environment from toxic waste are the most important issues.

Why are Untangle and the ACCRC doing this?

Untangle has benefited greatly from the Free and Open Source software community and we're always looking for ways to give back. The ACCRC recycles, refurbishes and gives computers to schools as part of their core mission. They do this every day and we love them for it!

My School needs computers, how do we apply?

Its easy, just fill out the ACCRC's school application form and fax it back to them at (510) 528-4053.

What about non-profits?

This installfest is specifically for schools. However, the ACCRC regularly donates computers to non-profits. Just fill out their non-profit application form and fax it back to them at (510) 528-4053.

I have an old computer, how can I recycle it?

You can bring your unwanted computers to the Marin County or Berkeley installfest or at the ACCRC or MCRC during normal business hours.

Which schools are receiving the donated computers

Some of the schools that have received computers from the ACCRC in the past include:

Ascend School (Oakland)
Bella Vista Elementary (Oakland)
Lockwood School (Oakland)
Whittier Elementary School (Oakland)
Casa Granda High School (Petaluma)
Woodside Elementary School (Concord)
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy (San Francisco)
Mission High School (San Francisco)

If you know of a school that would like to participate, just fill out the ACCRC's school application form and fax it back to them at (510) 528-4053.

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