Free Geek FAQ

''This article is copies from the Free Geek FAQ: last edited in early 2005 (?). It needs formatting and updating.'' Shawn

FAQ: Questions you might be asked about Free Geek

While perambulating in the "outside world", you may find yourself called upon to explain this Free Geek thing. If you are at all discomfited by this sudden promotion to FREE GEEK representative, don't be! Here are answers to questions many of us get at work, from friends and associates, in bars and coffeeshops, and on the sidewalk when accosted by strangers. Please keep in mind that occasionally the policies listed in this FAQ change, and although we will try to keep this bit of documentation up-to-date, we're not perfect.

(This information can be found online at https://dweeb.freegeeks.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/FreeGeekFAQ ) How long has FREE GEEK been around, and how did it start? FREE GEEK got its start as a good idea that was presented at a booth at the Earth Day festivities in 2000. In September, 2000, the facility on 10th Ave was opened as a recycling and re-use dropoff, even though we weren't yet quite clear what would be done with systems we couldn't refurbish. It's all been a process of evolution (and bone-aching growth), all springing from the original good idea - how about getting some of these "obsolete", but still usable, systems to people who can do good with them?

Hours, address, and bus lines 11 am - 7 pm Tuesday through Saturday. 1731 SE 10th Ave, between Market and Mill; that's two blocks south of Hawthorne and near the 10, 14, 4, 6 and 70 buses. Our phone number is 503 232 9350, though we only answer during business hours and the phone is frequently busy. This information is also available on the website - many questions can be answered there if the questioner has web access.

What do you take? We take all kinds of computer and computer-related equipment, working or not. There is a $10 fee for monitors and terminals (again, working or not). We also accept other electronics, such as audio and video equipment. We do not accept photocopiers, microwaves, televisions, refrigerators, smoke detectors, big wooden turntable cabinets, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, styrofoam or chickens.

Well, where do I send that stuff? Metro (http://www.metro-region.org/ or 503-797-1700) would know where you can recycle or dispose of other materials. Smoke detectors can usually be sent back to the manufacturer (they frequently contain small amounts of radioactive material). There are also a couple of places locally that will take photocopiers and large printers: Google, Metro, or the Yellow Pages can be great resources in this case. Batteries can generally go to Battery Exchange.

Why the fee for monitors? Monitors are considered hazardous waste by the EPA. This means that if the monitor does not meet our standards, it must be shipped to a responsible recycler (within the US) who can deal with the materials in it. Both shipping and disposal cost us money.

Yeah, but this one works! We don't have the ability to test monitors as they arrive, and because of the steep fees we can't afford to take people's word for it. Also, "works" can have a wide range of meaning. Monitors we use are 14" ar larger and must be able to display at least 1024x768 clearly. There's also a certain amount of failure that we have to account for and the fact that monitors are BIG - gotta pay the rent on the storage space somehow. The fees on working monitors are go toward covering the cost of taking care of bad ones.

Can you pick up my donation? No, we don't have the ability to pick up donations. Exception: an organization has a large amount of relatively good equipment they want to give us. This "good equipment" should be described to a staff member - ideally in an email to staff@freegeek.org - before we promise anything. We must be sure it's worth our while. Then we need to find a staff or core person willing and able to make the pickup.

Do you want the software and documentation that came with this stuff? Unless it's pretty darn new and totally intact (with license, if applicable), not really. We can and do recycle the media and paper it's on if you bring them to us, but we install Free Software on the computers we give away so the proprietary software isn't all that useful. Exception: Mac software and documentation that Lorraine might want.

What's with the prices for the other stuff? I'm donating it to you, isn't that enough? I thought you said there was only a fee for monitors. Those numbers are suggested donations you can make along with your donation of equipment in order to show support for our program and to help us pay rent, utilities, salaries, etc. They are not required, but appreciated: more a guideline than a rule.

Is this where you can get a free computer? Yes, that is our main program; people can donate 24 hours of volunteer time in our reuse and recycling facility to earn a computer and a class on how to use it. To get into our Adoption Program, please come by and take a tour (noon and six, Tuesday through Saturday) and we can answer any questions and get you on the waiting list (generally 2 -3 weeks long, but it varies).

What kind of computer is it? It's a FreekBox, built from used equipment that has been donated to the recycling center and running the Debian Linux operating system and other Free and Open Source Software. The current specs of the FreekBox are on our website at http://freegeek.org/freekbox.php

Do I get to build my own computer? If you already know how to build computers or are curious about how the hardware works together, and you don't need a computer right away, you may be interested in the Build Program. Otherwise, it is probably better (and faster) for you to go through the Adoption Program. The computers are all built to the same specifications, so you're not missing out, equipment-wise.

Can I start volunteering before I'm called off the waiting list? We don't encourage this, but if you do, you shouldn't record those hours at the front desk. Working before you've been called in undermines the purpose of having a waiting list, which is trying to ensure that we don't have too many beginners volunteering at once. Also, he database counts total hours worked when we're determining whether you've worked enough hours to have earned a FreekBox. While we think it's very important to record all of our volunteers' hours, working before you've been called in may mean you would earn a FreekBox before other people who came in at the same time as you or even before. (This may sound like a good deal to you, but it's just not fair.)

I don't have time to volunteer; can I just buy a FreekBox? No, FreekBoxen are built for our volunteers. There are computers you can buy in the store, but they are built to lower specs and do not have an operating system on them, so they are not really suitable for beginner machines.

Why aren't StoreBoxen as good as FreekBoxen? We don't want to take resources away from our computer adoption program, which is really our main focus. We also don't want someone to walk into the store, see a FreekBox or higher level system in there for $50, and deduce that their labor is worth about $2/hour to us. It's just not so! (StoreBoxen also don't include a class or support, which are the invisible attributes of a FreekBox that make it even more valuable.)

Can we put our hours together in order to earn our computer faster? Yes, you may smoosh your hours together, but it's important for the person receiving the computer to come in and earn some of their own hours and take the FreekBox Adoption class. The person who will be using the computer should learn a bit about how the computer works by volunteering hours at FREE GEEK and taking the class. Otherwise, the computer may wind up as a useless piece of furniture clogging up the corner of their living room. Please keep in mind that it's one computer per person, so if you have three people adding their hours together, they may earn up to three computers.

I notice that you guys keep upgrading the specs of your Freek Boxen. Can I trade mine in for a newer one? Our policy right now: a FREE GEEK volunteer may earn one FreekBox per person per year, either in exchange for 24 hours of service in the Adoption Program, or as their 6th computer in the Build Program. This way, FreekBox owners may upgrade their systems.

Does FREE GEEK accomodate handicapped volunteers? Yes, our facility is almost completely wheelchair accessible. Those who have joined any of our main programs shouldn't have a problem getting around the facility.

How about volunteers who don't speak English? Unfortunately, we don't have the resources yet to accommodate non-English speakers (or people who have significant difficulty understanding or speaking English) without translators. Volunteers are welcome, though, if they can bring a translator with them when they volunteer and when they take the class or call for tech support.

Can I earn another computer for my neighbor/mother/cult leader/top-secret laboratory? Sure, a year after the last one you earned. We only give out one computer a year to each volunteer. If your neighbor/mother/cult leader would like to come in, volunteer here, and take the class, you are welcome to volunteer with them to help them earn a computer for themselves. Otherwise, sorry, but no.

How can I get a computer (or other hardware) for my church/non-profit/revolutionary sewing circle? Well, my dear, please visit http://www.freegeek.org/grants.php. This page will lead you through our hardware grants process. FREE GEEK grants hardware to official 501(c)3 non-profits as well as organizations which are obviously good causes but not necessarily federally-recognized non-profits. We do not grant hardware to individuals.

I hear you give computers to kids. Not a question!1 But, yes, kids can earn a computer from FREE GEEK just like anyone else - it's just that they have to have an adult with them while volunteering if they are under 16. We also have a program called Computers for Kids, which works with at-risk youth groups (not with individuals) and allows groups of youth to go through either the adoption or build program in a somewhat structured way. For more info, check http://freegeek.org/computersforkids

Do I get a printer with the FreekBox? Unfortunately, we don't receive enough donated printers to be able to give one away with each FreekBox. However, if you're a current volunteer, you may buy a printer with full ink cartridges from our store at a 50% discount. With the discount, you'll pay between $20 and $40.

Can I buy a computer here? Why, yes you can. We offer our StoreBox in our store for around $35. The StoreBox has specs that are below FreekBox specs and are sold without an operating system installed. They are good machines, and are able to do word processing and web browsing, but are designed with the hobbyist in mind.

Can I buy X other item? Ask in the store. Sales do not happen elsewhere in FREE GEEK. It is not ok to pick up an item from the non-store section of FREE GEEK and carry it over to the store. The stock in the store is variable, as it depends on our donation stream, so we can't guarantee that we have any given thing (though some are more consistently stocked than others).

Can I get a laptop/CD burner/other special request? While we are not able to give these items away through any of our volunteer programs, we occasionally have these items for sale in the store. Laptops are relatively rare and slow, while CD burners are in there more often. We may also stock laptop PCMCIA modem and network cards and other interesting goodies.

I'm going to install Windows on my FreekBox, do I need to take the class? No, you don't have to take the class, but it's a good idea to give our Operating System a try, because installing a different one will make you ineligable for tech support. We cannot support Windows computers (unless you count reinstalling our setup as support).

I live in Eastern Oregon/Missouri/Liberia, and I can't come in to earn a computer. How can I get one? Google is the champion here. Google "Eastern Oregon/Missouri/Liberia + free + computer". Volunteer work for our programs must be done at our facilities. It's a bummer for lots of people, but it's all we can do right now. If someone wants a free computer and likes Free Geek's model so much that they'd like to start up something similar, point them to http://lists.freegeek.org/listinfo/startup

I can't volunteer my time but I'd like to help FREE GEEK. What can I do? Spread the word about FREE GEEK and Open Source Software. If you're not in the area, find out if there's a nascent FREE GEEK in your area via the startup list. We will always accept donations - perhaps your employer will make a matching donation! And if you don't have spare cash (few do!), there's the Wish List (on our white board and web site). We rely on the kindness of strangers for so many things...

Are you hiring? If we are hiring, it will be posted on our website at http://freegeek.org/jobs. We don't take unsolicited resumes.

How do you make your money? We get our money from grants, donations, recycling income, and sales in the thrift store.

Can we get someone to make a presentation on FREE GEEK at our fair/organization? Possibly. Contact staff@freegeek.org and we'll try to find a staff or core volunteer willing and able to come help you spread the word.

Do you have Linux classes? Not exactly2. You can get started on the technical end of learning Linux via the Build program, where you'll learn basic command line and some about how the operating system interacts with the hardware. FreekBox adopters get an introduction to user-end Linux (everyday, GUI-based use) in their Adoption class. But we don't yet have a general-purpose Linux intro. Perhaps you could try one of the local LUGs?

Where can I learn to program? Local community colleges generally have introductory programming classes. If you already have some programming background, you may be able to pick up one of our commonly used languages (php or python) by collaborating with our coders group. We have historically had programming classes, but they run on an unpredictable schedule, so i wouldn't hold my breath.