Media Kit/3Free - Revision history

Rfs: /* free help */

2010-07-06T23:19:11Z

free help

Halfasspete: more general editing

2006-05-07T23:28:20Z

more general editing

Halfasspete at 03:34, 27 April 2006

2006-04-27T03:34:55Z

Vagrant: gnu project

2006-04-15T21:05:22Z

gnu project

Halfasspete at 05:23, 15 April 2006

2006-04-15T05:23:46Z

Halfasspete: general refinements

2006-04-15T05:04:18Z

general refinements

K7AAY at 05:09, 8 April 2006

2006-04-08T05:09:55Z

K7AAY: /* free hardware */

2006-04-08T05:00:50Z

free hardware

Halfasspete: add category

2006-03-27T00:08:05Z

add category

Halfasspete: spacin fer printin

2006-03-16T02:38:28Z

spacin fer printin

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come to earn a free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the chance to build a community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.
-(write concluding paragraph, tie it all together and introduce rest of [[Media Kit]].)
+(write concluding paragraph, tie it all together and introduce rest of Media Kit.)
 [[Category:Media Kit]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-At Free Geek we collect discarded computer equipment ('''e-waste'''), repair and refurbish, and return working computer systems to the community and the world.  What we can't reuse is broken down, then recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner.
+Free Geek repairs discarded computer equipment ('''e-waste'''), and returns working computer systems to the community and the world.  What we can't reuse is broken down, then recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner.
-We are often described as a "recycling" organization—and it's true, we do lots of recycling. But our first choice is always reuse over recycling. Wherever possible, we find a new use for discarded gear, rather than condemning it to the hammer and chisel.
+We are often described as a "recycling" organization—and it's true, we do lots of recycling. But reuse is our first goal. Wherever possible, we find a new use for discarded gear, rather than condemning it to the hammer and chisel.
 Free Geek collects e-waste, but we produce much more then just '''e-scrap''' (separated materials directed to recycling outfits.) We also produce fully functioning computers, refurbished and ready to use, which we give away or sell at very low prices. In the process, we train our volunteers in skills that serve them well in the job market and in day-to-day life.
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 Free Geek is a place where volunteers can share skills with one another while working to benefit the community. Whatever their level of skill or experience, our volunteers have ample opportunity to branch out in new directions.
-In its five year history, Free Geek has grown dramatically, processing more donations and giving away more computers each year. How is all this possible? Read on to learn about our "three frees": free hardware, free software, and free help. (It takes a little magic too—but you'll have to come see us first hand to become a true believer.)
+In our five year history, Free Geek has grown dramatically, processing more donations and giving away more computers each year. How is all this possible? Read on to learn about our "three frees": free hardware, free software, and free help. (It takes a little magic too—but you'll have to come see us first hand to become a true believer.)
 == free hardware ==
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 Though it has been cast off as broken or outdated junk, much of this hardware is easily repaired. Because of the huge number of systems, we have lots of spare parts. This makes it possible to replace broken parts, or upgrade components, without incurring any cost from buying more parts.
-First, our volunteers sort donated hardware into basic categories, such as computer systems, printers, keyboards. Computer systems are evaluated on a basic level: how fast are they, what kind of components do they have, do they even turn on? Next, we send the obvious junk to our Recycling department, where plastics, metals, and other recyclable materials are separated. The good stuff gets taken apart, the parts get tested more thoroughly. Finally, we put the parts back together to make usable PCs.
+First, our volunteers sort donated hardware into basic categories, such as personal computers (aka '''PCs''' or '''systems'''), printers, keyboards. Computer systems are evaluated on a basic level: how fast are they, what kind of components do they have, do they even turn on? Next, we send the obvious junk to our Recycling department, where plastics, metals, and other recyclable materials are separated. The good stuff gets taken apart, and we test parts more thoroughly. Finally, we put the parts back together to make usable PCs.
 The result: For every five computers "disposed of" at Free Geek, we have put one back into use. Our volunteers, thrift store customers, and other non-profit organizations reap the benefits of free or affordable technology every day.
 <!-- :(MOVE THIS COMMENT to another page. Note: if a computer system still has a working operating system or documents, we never see it, and our donors' data is carefully protected from prying eyes. Hard drives we put back to work are erased five times over, first, before reinstallation in a system.  Hard drives we recycle have holes drilled through them to make any data unrecoverable. -->
@@ Line 34: / Line 36: @@
 You could even say the fact that we don't have to pay for this software is a side benefit…it's the philosophical connection, the freedom to share ideas and solve problems as a community, that's most important.
 <!-- eliminate the following:
@@ Line 52: / Line 56: @@
 The word "'''software'''" refers to the instructions that tell computer hardware how to do stuff. Operating systems (like Windows, Mac OS X, UNIX and GNU/Linux) are software, as are programs (like Word, Excel, Firefox, iTunes.)
-Most of the software you're probably familiar with is '''proprietary''' - a company or person owns the rights to it, and you pay them for the right to use it. Some proprietary software is available free of charge (like iTunes, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer), but in order to use it you have to agree to conditions set by the copyright owner (Apple Computer, Adobe, Microsoft.)
+Most of the software you're probably familiar with is '''proprietary''' - a company or person owns the rights to it, and you pay them for the right to use it. (Some proprietary software is available free of charge: e.g., iTunes, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer. But in order to use it, you must agree to conditions set by the copyright owner: Apple Computer, Adobe, Microsoft.)
-There is another option—free software—which takes a different approach. '''Free software''' is available free of charge, but it's not just a money thing; it is distributed in a way that is designed to promote our freedom to share ideas. The source code—essentially the blueprints that make the software work—is "open," meaning it's available for anyone to study and modify. As it's often said, the software is free "not just like free beer, but like free speech." Users of free software are encouraged to make changes, and share their changes with the entire world, so the software becomes more and more refined as time goes on.
+There is another option—free software—which takes a different approach. '''Free software''' is available free of charge, but it's not just a money thing; it is distributed in a way that is designed to promote our freedom to share ideas. The '''source code'''—essentially the blueprints that make the software work—is "open," meaning it's available for anyone to study and modify. It's often said that the software is free "not just like free beer, but like free speech." Users of free software are encouraged to make changes, and share their changes with the entire world, so the software becomes more sophisticated and refined as time goes on.
 Free software has existed for over 30 years. The Linux operating system was conceived in the early '90s, and computer enthusiasts soon combined it with existing programs from the GNU project. Computer "geeks" enjoyed developing and using the software, but for many years the products they produced—though worthy in many respects—lacked the polish of more consumer-oriented products from commercial software developers.
@@ Line 69: / Line 73: @@
 Free Geek currently has about a dozen salaried employees, but their main task is to provide structure and organizational support for the volunteers. The XXX + hours logged each month by our dedicated volunteers are where the real work gets done.
-So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come to earn a free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: a free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the chance to build a community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.
+So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come to earn a free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the chance to build a community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.
 (write concluding paragraph, tie it all together and introduce rest of [[Media Kit]].)
 [[Category:Media Kit]]

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 Free Geek is a place where volunteers can share skills with one another while working to benefit the community. Whatever their level of skill or experience, our volunteers have ample opportunity to branch out in new directions.
-In over five years, Free Geek has grown dramatically, processing more donations and giving away more computers each year. How is all this possible? Read on to learn about our "three frees": free hardware, free software, and free help. (It takes a little magic too—but you'll have to come see us first hand to become a true believer.)
+In its five year history, Free Geek has grown dramatically, processing more donations and giving away more computers each year. How is all this possible? Read on to learn about our "three frees": free hardware, free software, and free help. (It takes a little magic too—but you'll have to come see us first hand to become a true believer.)
 == free hardware ==
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 The result: For every five computers "disposed of" at Free Geek, we have put one back into use. Our volunteers, thrift store customers, and other non-profit organizations reap the benefits of free or affordable technology every day.
-<!-- :(MOVE THIS COMMENT to another page. Note: if a computer system still has a working operating system or documents, we never see it, and our donors' data is carefully protected from prying eyes. Hard drives we put back to work are erased five times over, first, before reinstallation in a system.  Hard drives we recycle have holes drilled through them to make any data unrecoverable.>
+<!-- :(MOVE THIS COMMENT to another page. Note: if a computer system still has a working operating system or documents, we never see it, and our donors' data is carefully protected from prying eyes. Hard drives we put back to work are erased five times over, first, before reinstallation in a system.  Hard drives we recycle have holes drilled through them to make any data unrecoverable. -->
 == free software ==

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 There is another option—free software—which takes a different approach. '''Free software''' is available free of charge, but it's not just a money thing; it is distributed in a way that is designed to promote our freedom to share ideas. The source code—essentially the blueprints that make the software work—is "open," meaning it's available for anyone to study and modify. As it's often said, the software is free "not just like free beer, but like free speech." Users of free software are encouraged to make changes, and share their changes with the entire world, so the software becomes more and more refined as time goes on.
-Free software has existed for over 30 years. The Linux operating system was conceived in the early '90s, and computer enthusiasts soon combined it with existing programs from the GNU organization. Computer "geeks" enjoyed developing and using the software, but for many years the products they produced—though worthy in many respects—lacked the polish of more consumer-oriented products from commercial software developers.
+Free software has existed for over 30 years. The Linux operating system was conceived in the early '90s, and computer enthusiasts soon combined it with existing programs from the GNU project. Computer "geeks" enjoyed developing and using the software, but for many years the products they produced—though worthy in many respects—lacked the polish of more consumer-oriented products from commercial software developers.
 But free software blossomed with the emergence of the Internet, as programmers became able to share their modifications instantly around the globe. In the last few years, free software like Linux, the Firefox web browser, and the OpenOffice.org office programs have evolved into highly sophisticated and user-friendly programs.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:23, 15 April 2006
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	At Free Geek we collect discarded computer equipment ('''e-waste'''), repair and refurbish, and return ~~the~~ working computer systems to the community and the world. What we can't reuse is broken down, then recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner.	+	At Free Geek we collect discarded computer equipment ('''e-waste'''), repair and refurbish, and return working computer systems to the community and the world. What we can't reuse is broken down, then recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner.

	We are often described as a "recycling" organization—and it's true, we do lots of recycling. But our first choice is always reuse over recycling. Wherever possible, we find a new use for discarded gear, rather than condemning it to the hammer and chisel.		We are often described as a "recycling" organization—and it's true, we do lots of recycling. But our first choice is always reuse over recycling. Wherever possible, we find a new use for discarded gear, rather than condemning it to the hammer and chisel.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-At Free Geek we collect discarded computer equipment ('''e-waste'''), repair and refurbish what we can, and return the repaired, renewed systems to the community and the world.  What we can't reuse is broken down, then recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner.
+At Free Geek we collect discarded computer equipment ('''e-waste'''), repair and refurbish, and return the working computer systems to the community and the world.  What we can't reuse is broken down, then recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner.
-We are often described as a "recycling" organization - and it's true, we do lots of recycling.  But wherever possible, we find ways to reuse things before we resort to hammer and chisel to separate the metals from the plastics and the toxic materials  in computers and things attached to them. The toxics we dispose of, safely.
+We are often described as a "recycling" organization—and it's true, we do lots of recycling. But our first choice is always reuse over recycling. Wherever possible, we find a new use for discarded gear, rather than condemning it to the hammer and chisel.
 Free Geek collects e-waste, but we produce much more then just '''e-scrap''' (separated materials directed to recycling outfits.) We also produce fully functioning computers, refurbished and ready to use, which we give away or sell at very low prices. In the process, we train our volunteers in skills that serve them well in the job market and in day-to-day life.
-Many of our volunteers arrive as computer novices. Others have extensive computer experience, and some have already worked to bring old computers back to life bby collecting "dead" PCs from friends and relatives after they've been cast aside, and finding ways to make them useful again.
+Many of our volunteers arrive as computer novices. Others have extensive experience with computer hardware, programming, or networking. Still others bring valuable skills in areas like customer service, event planning, and recycling technology.
-We made Free Geek, a place where our volunteers can share these skills with one another, continually refining a process that turns waste into riches. How do we do it? Read on to learn about our "three frees": free hardware, free software, and free help. (It takes a little magic too - but you'll have to see it first hand to become a true believer.)
+Free Geek is a place where volunteers can share skills with one another while working to benefit the community. Whatever their level of skill or experience, our volunteers have ample opportunity to branch out in new directions.
 == free hardware ==
@@ Line 14: / Line 16: @@
 Though it has been cast off as broken or outdated junk, much of this hardware is easily repaired. Because of the huge number of systems, we have lots of spare parts. This makes it possible to replace broken parts, or upgrade components, without incurring any cost from buying more parts.
-First, our volunteers sort donated hardware into basic categories, such as  computer systems, printers, keyboards. Computer systems are then evaluated on a basic level; how fast are they, what kind of components do they have, do they even turn on? Next, we send the obvious junk to our Recycling department, where plastics, metals, and other recyclable materials are separated. The good stuff gets taken apart, the parts get tested more thoroughly. Finally, we put the parts back together to make usable PCs.
+First, our volunteers sort donated hardware into basic categories, such as computer systems, printers, keyboards. Computer systems are evaluated on a basic level: how fast are they, what kind of components do they have, do they even turn on? Next, we send the obvious junk to our Recycling department, where plastics, metals, and other recyclable materials are separated. The good stuff gets taken apart, the parts get tested more thoroughly. Finally, we put the parts back together to make usable PCs.
-The result: For every five computers "disposed of" at Free Geek, we have put one back into use. Our volunteers, thrift store customers, and charitable, educational and other non-profit organizations reap the benefits of free or affordable technology, plus hands-on education, every day.
+The result: For every five computers "disposed of" at Free Geek, we have put one back into use. Our volunteers, thrift store customers, and other non-profit organizations reap the benefits of free or affordable technology every day.
 <!-- :(MOVE THIS COMMENT to another page. Note: if a computer system still has a working operating system or documents, we never see it, and our donors' data is carefully protected from prying eyes. Hard drives we put back to work are erased five times over, first, before reinstallation in a system.  Hard drives we recycle have holes drilled through them to make any data unrecoverable.>
 == free software ==
-As we build computers out of used parts, we need to install '''software''' - an operating system, a word processor, a web browser, some games - to make them useful. After all, we can only call a computer "functional" if it's capable of performing useful tasks.
+After we build computers out of used parts, we need to install '''software''' on them—an operating system, a word processor, a web browser, some games—to make them useful. After all, we can only call a computer "functional" if it's capable of performing useful tasks.
 <!-- introduce the requirements we have of software) -->
@@ Line 27: / Line 29: @@
 <!-- show how free software meets those needs...don't get into why proprietary software doesn't. clean up this next paragraph.-->
-'''Free software''' (see sidebar) comes to the rescue in all these ways. It's sophisticated, efficient, well-tested, easily modified, user friendly. But there's more: Free Geek's spirit of collaboration and community-driven decision making is prominent in the world of free software. Geeks around the world, of all backgrounds and abilities, have collaborated for many years to produce free software like the Linux operating system, GNU software, and Mozilla Firefox. You could even say the fact that we don't have to pay for this software is a side benefit... it's the philosophical connection, the freedom to share ideas and solve problems as a community, that's most important.
+'''Free software''' (see sidebar) comes to the rescue in all these ways. It's sophisticated, efficient, well-tested, easily modified, user friendly.
 <!-- eliminate the following:
@@ Line 41: / Line 47: @@
 -->
-== code name: (sidebar to free software) ==
+== code name: free software (sidebar to free software section) ==
 '''free vs. proprietary software'''
 The word "'''software'''" refers to the instructions that tell computer hardware how to do stuff. Operating systems (like Windows, Mac OS X, UNIX and GNU/Linux) are software, as are programs (like Word, Excel, Firefox, iTunes.)
-Most of the software you're probably familiar with is '''proprietary''' - a company or person owns the rights to it, and you pay them for the right to use it. Some proprietary software is available free of charge (like iTunes, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer) but in order to use it you have to agree to conditions set by the copyright owner (Apple Computer, Adobe, Microsoft.)
+Most of the software you're probably familiar with is '''proprietary''' - a company or person owns the rights to it, and you pay them for the right to use it. Some proprietary software is available free of charge (like iTunes, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer), but in order to use it you have to agree to conditions set by the copyright owner (Apple Computer, Adobe, Microsoft.)
-There is another option - free software - which takes a different approach. '''Free software''' is available free of charge, but it's not just a money thing; it is distributed in a way that is designed to promote our freedom to share ideas. The source code - essentially the blueprints that makee the software work - is "open," meaning it's available for anyone to study and modify. As it's often said, the software is free "not just like free beer, but like free speech." Users of free software are encouraged to make changes, and share their changes with the entire world, so the software becomes more and more refined as time goes on.
+There is another option—free software—which takes a different approach. '''Free software''' is available free of charge, but it's not just a money thing; it is distributed in a way that is designed to promote our freedom to share ideas. The source code—essentially the blueprints that make the software work—is "open," meaning it's available for anyone to study and modify. As it's often said, the software is free "not just like free beer, but like free speech." Users of free software are encouraged to make changes, and share their changes with the entire world, so the software becomes more and more refined as time goes on.
-Free software has existed for over 30 years. The Linux operating system was conceived in the early '90s, and computer enthusiasts soon combined it with existing programs from the GNU organization. "Geeks" enjoyed developing and using the software, but the products they produced - though worthy in many respects - lacked the polish of more consumer-oriented products from commercial software developers.
+Free software has existed for over 30 years. The Linux operating system was conceived in the early '90s, and computer enthusiasts soon combined it with existing programs from the GNU organization. Computer "geeks" enjoyed developing and using the software, but for many years the products they produced—though worthy in many respects—lacked the polish of more consumer-oriented products from commercial software developers.
 But free software blossomed with the emergence of the Internet, as programmers became able to share their modifications instantly around the globe. In the last few years, free software like Linux, the Firefox web browser, and the OpenOffice.org office programs have evolved into highly sophisticated and user-friendly programs.
@@ Line 57: / Line 63: @@
 == free help ==
-OK, so we've collected lots of hardware, and chosen the right software to run it. Now we need people to keep track of gizmos, test them, disassemble and reassemble, writing software. Not to mention respond to emails, run phone cables through the walls, sweep the floors, research unusual equipment, move boxes of stuff around.
+OK, so we've collected lots of hardware, and chosen the right software to make it useful. Now we need people to keep track of gizmos, test them, disassemble and reassemble, write software. Not to mention respond to emails, run phone cables through the walls, sweep the floors, research unusual equipment, move boxes and pallets of stuff around.
 That's where our volunteers come in. And do they ever come in: every month, about XXX new volunteers sign up for their first shift, joining many other long-term volunteers.
@@ Line 63: / Line 69: @@
 Free Geek currently has about a dozen salaried employees, but their main task is to provide structure and organizational support for the volunteers. The XXX + hours logged each month by our dedicated volunteers are where the real work gets done.
-So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come for the free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: a free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the sense of community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.
+So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come to earn a free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: a free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the chance to build a community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.
 (write concluding paragraph, tie it all together and introduce rest of [[Media Kit]].)
 [[Category:Media Kit]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 == free hardware ==
-Free Geek has received well over 30,000 donated computer systems (and similiar numbers of monitors and printers) over five years. All this stuff is called, most generally, '''computer hardware'''.
+Free Geek has received well over 30,000 donated computer systems (and like  numbers of monitors and printers) over five years. All this stuff is called, most generally, '''computer hardware'''.
-Though it has been cast off as broken or outdated junk, much of this hardware is easily repaired. And because of the huge number of systems, we have lots of spare parts. This makes it possible to replace broken parts, or upgrade components, without incurring any cost.
+Though it has been cast off as broken or outdated junk, much of this hardware is easily repaired. Because of the huge number of systems, we have lots of spare parts. This makes it possible to replace broken parts, or upgrade components, without incurring any cost from buying more parts.
 == free software ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:08, 27 March 2006
Line 68:		Line 68:
	So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come for the free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: a free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the sense of community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.		So, where do all these volunteers come from? And why do they do it? Well, ask 10 volunteers, and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Because there is no end to the benefits available at Free Geek. Many initially come for the free PC, but the reasons they stay are even more compelling: a free education, the chance to make a difference in our world, the sense of community. See the "Free Geek as a social resource" page for more detail.

−	(write concluding paragraph, tie it all together and introduce rest of ~~media kit~~.)	+	(write concluding paragraph, tie it all together and introduce rest of [[Media Kit]].)
		+
		+	[[Category:Media Kit]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:38, 16 March 2006
Line 19:		Line 19:

	<!-- :(MOVE THIS COMMENT to another page. Note: if a computer system still has a working operating system or documents, we never see it. Our donators' data is protected from prying eyes: recycled hard drives get holes drilled in them, and those we put back to work are erased five times first. -->		<!-- :(MOVE THIS COMMENT to another page. Note: if a computer system still has a working operating system or documents, we never see it. Our donators' data is protected from prying eyes: recycled hard drives get holes drilled in them, and those we put back to work are erased five times first. -->
		+
		+
		+

	== free software ==		== free software ==