Requesting a one time post to Ubuntu-ca mailing list

[Corey Burger]

Hey all,

Dave Sampson asked that I pass this along to you. Seems relatively on topic.

Cheers,

Corey

On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 10:37 PM, Dave Sampson <samper.d at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am interested in having the following one time posting posted to your
> mailing list.
>
> Please advise as to the most appropriate means to notify your group of
> our initiative
>
> -----------------------------------------
> Topic: A New Addition to the Open Source Ecosystem in Ottawa
>
> This is a one time post to notify you of a new project in the works in
> the Ottawa area. The FGO project (aka Free Geek Ottawa) connects people
> with technology while helping the environment and contributing to the
> growing open source community along the way. All responses concerning
> this post can be directed to our mailing list found bellow.
>
> The FGO project is still in the approval process to use the Free Geek
> trademarked name. The name may change, but the mission will remain the same.
>
> Our mission statement is:
> --------------------------
> "Free Geek Ottawa is a locally owned and operated not-for-profit
> community organization that reduces the social and environmental impacts
> of waste electronics by refurbishing and recycling used technology. It
> provides refurbished computers, hands-on experiential education,
> Internet access and job skills training to those in need, in exchange
> for community service. Free Geek Ottawa advocates the use of affordable,
> reliable and accessible technology solutions including mature open
> source software in order to help bridge the digital divide in the
> National Capital Region"
>
> The FGO project hopes to become a welcome and integral part of the Open
> Source ecosystem in the Ottawa area. One major approach by which we hope
> to contribute is by distributing open source technology through our
> programs, and providing accessible and affordable training opportunities
> to use Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
>
> Our two program offerings we hope to soon provide include a computer
> adoption program and a computer building program. The computer adoption
> program allows anyone willing, to volunteer 24 hours learning how to
> dismantle and recycle obsolete computers donated to our group. After 24
> hours the volunteer would earn themselves a working computer loaded with
> open source software and an opportunity to receive training on using the
> computer and included software.
>
> The second program is for those who want a hands on experience learning
> how to build a computer from basic parts such as hard drives, RAM,
> motherboards etc. If a volunteer commits to building 6 computers, then
> they get to keep the 6th computer they build. No previous experience
> would be required, we would provide all the required hands-on training.
> Our goal is to provide 1 year of tech support for any machine adopted
> through our programs.
>
> The basic premise is to connect cast-off technology that is still usable
> with individuals that may be presented with barriers to adopting
> technology in our community. In addition we hope to provide access to
> the Internet using affordable community ISP's such as National Capital
> FreeNet.
>
> To date, our accomplishments include:
> * 18 interested volunteers
> * 11 interested partner organizations
> * 100 Computers pledged for donation by local High tech firms
> * 24 computers awaiting more RAM
> * 10 Computers to be used for parts
> * 8 computers awaiting recycling
> * 1 Public speaking event
>
> The key ingredients to the success of this project include:
> 1. A large pool of technically skilled volunteers wanting to teach others
> 2. A larger pool of unskilled volunteers willing to learn new skills
> 3. A regular flow of donated computers from individuals and companies
> 4. A facility to house our training, refurbishing and recycling operations
> 5. Public speaking opportunities to engage the social and tech communities
>
> If you know of someone or a company that may help the FGO project
> achieve its goals or wish to help with any of the above please pass
> along this post or join our mailing list.
>
> Thanks for your time
>
> Cheers
>
> Sincerely,
> Dave Sampson
> Founder, The FGO Project
>
> email: communications.fgo at gmail.com
> Website: http://fgo.openconcept.ca
> Mailing list: http://list.openconcept.ca/sympa/info/fgo
>
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