Ubuntu being used in Computer Lending Library project in Winnipeg

[Anthony Yarusso]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Shaleem Hosein wrote:
> Hello, list members.
> 
> I'm new on the list and wanted to tell you about a project that I'm
> involved in.
> 
>
> It's the Computer Lending Library Project in Winnipeg.  Essentially,
> we work on and then hand out surplus computers to poor people.  The
> computers are donated by Computers For Schools & Libraries, who
> receive computers from the Feds, Manitoba Hydro and other organizations.
>
> 
>
> The project originated in Selkirk by the Smart Partners
> <http://www.smartwinnipeg.mb.ca/> group.  About a year ago, the
> projected began to operate in Winnipeg, out of the Aboriginal Centre
> building and with the cooperation of their tennant, CAHRD, the
> Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development.
>
> 
>
> The computers were handed out with the default installation of
> Windows 2000, but no service packs, anti-virus or spyware detection
> software.  Not surprisingly, many of the computers ended up being
> returned due to malware and spyware problems.
>
> 
>
> In the fall of 2006, Smart Partners asked the CIPS Winnipeg
> President if CIPS could help out.  CIPS decided to ask their student
> members if they wanted to get involved.  At the same time, I, as
> both a member of CIPS and The Manitoba Open Source Group (an
> advocacy group), thought that the project could benefit from
> installing open source software and also Ubuntu Linux.
>
> 
>
> The participants from the TMOSG came up with a software load for the
> Windows computers comprised of open source programs.  We are
> currently working on an image for Ubuntu Linux, which will speed up
> the production of the computers. We are hoping to see how many
> recipients actually return Ubuntu computers due to problems with
> malware and viruses.  The students are excited to work with Linux
> and many of them have installed it already.  They realize that they
> stand to learn new skills that others who hope to enter the IT
> sector do not necessarily have.
>
> 
>
> The recipients of the free computers have to attend a 40-hour course
> on software, which has been sponsored by Microsoft.  We?re hoping to
> have a few hours of Ubuntu training thrown in.  Also, when the users
> show up to pick up their computers, we hope to demonstrate Ubuntu to
> them.  We?re going to put the PDF Desktop User Guide for Ubuntu 6.06
> on the desktop.  Having some Ubuntu training added will not be a
> problem, as it turns out.  They will also be taught about saving
> documents with MS extentions, in the event that they have to or wish
> to do so.
>
>
> Should the Computer Lending Library program become successful, it
> may be looked at as a pilot project for the rest of Canada.  That
> potentially means that there could be a lot more Ubuntu computers
> out there and this has me encouraged.  I've sent some
> self-addressed, pre-paid envelopes for free Ubuntu stickers to afix
> to each Ubuntu computer.
>
> 
>
> The CLL Project website is http://www.computerlendinglibrary.ca/, if
> anyone is interested.  We are currently operating without a budget.
> Expenses for supplies have been paid for by CIPS but some of the
> folks on the board will be looking around for funding and donations
> of supplies.  The Aboriginal Centre is providing us with a DSL line
> and work space.  Since December, every Saturday about 8 students
> (the group fluctuates) show up along with members of the steering
> committee to lend technical leadership.  Our goal is to pump out
> 20-30 computers a week.  We have a mix of P2 and P3s, most with 128
> MB of RAM, which is barely enough.  Eventually, we will have far
> more P3s and will hopefully be able to find more RAM.  So far, the
> project has been in a ramp-up phase.  Every week, we break some new
> ground.  Soon, when we have our images in place, we will be able to
> focus more on production.
>
> 
>
> The Manitoba Open Source Group is a collection of guys (just guys at
> the moment) who hang out about once a month to chat about
> technology, sports and anything else that comes to mind.  Some of
> the guys are open source consultants, some are IT professionals
> (like myself) and some have a background in IT but are mostly Linux
> and computer hobbyists who believe in the concept of open source.
> On occaision, we write letters to educate political candidates about
> open source.  One of  guys has taught Linux to high school teachers
> who then incorporate Linux  in their computer labs.  The students
> are loving it.  We are hoping to convince more organizations in the
> public and private sector in Winnipeg to investigate open source as
> an option and to encourage them to switch over or integrate open
> source into their systems.  I personally am a true Linux and Ubuntu
> newbie.  I run Win 2000 on my P2 and Ubuntu 6.06 on my P4, with a
> KVM switch to share the monitor and keyboard.
>
> 
> I am supposed to create a how-to document for the recipients of the
> free computers and that is my next little project.  This document
> has to written to take into account that many of these recipients
> have never used a computer before, which is why including the
> Desktop Guide by itself may not be enough.
> 
> If anyone has any feedback with ideas about anything I've written,
> I'd love to hear them.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
>
> 
>
> Shaleem Hosein
>
> Winnipeg.
>
> www.cipswinnipeg.ca <http://www.cipswinnipeg.ca>
> http://trinimansblog.blogspot.com/
> http://blogcritics.org/
That sounds really awesome.  I can't help you with the budget, many of
us are getting practice in "visibility".  If this works well, it could
be a good contender for www.ubuntu.com/mystory, btw.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQFFxq7E6iO+5ByUi/QRAm5BAJ4pN8OoHSNs5wMBF0RwxFPuHiuVXwCeKpUv
XP6MXKLwqk0EsJd5Dg0Rt9E=
=Xs/K
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----