Adoption Program Information

Welcome to the Adoption Program at Free Geek! The Adoption Program is our longest-standing program. Anyone may participate, as long as they can make it to our facility to volunteer. In exchange for 24 hours of service, our adopters receive a computer with monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse, a class on how to use the computer, and 1 year of free tech support. We also hope that you learn a bit about computers while you're volunteering.

What Tasks Will I Do While I'm at Free Geek?

The usual tasks for adopters include:

• Receiving, where you'll take in equipment from donors,
• Recycling, where you'll disassemble computers,
• Basic Testing, where you'll test mice, keyboards, monitors, CD-ROM drives, and speakers, and
• Data Entry, where you'll use our computers to keep our database up-to-date.

You also have the opportunity to do some special tasks, like help out in the Thrift Store as a Store Helper, assist the front desk, or do some cleaning. If you're interested in doing one of these special tasks, just tell the person at the front desk.

What Kind of Computer Will I Receive?

We've named the computers we give away to volunteers FreekBoxes. The current specifications are as follows:

• Pentium III 600 - 733mHz processor
• 192 MB of RAM
• 11 - 20 GB hard drive
• 56k modem
• CD-ROM, floppy, network card, sound card, video card
• 17" monitor
• Keyboard, mouse, speakers

What About This Class That I Keep Hearing About?

The Getting Started Class is an introduction to computers and to using Linux, the operating system we install on FreekBoxes. You'll receive your "new" computer at the conclusion of the class, so it's important to arrange for transportation.

We require this class of all adopters receiving their computers. Even if you have some computer experience, Linux is a bit of a different ballgame, so we want to be sure you understand how to use it. If you do decide to opt out of the Getting Started Class, you won't receive any tech support from us.

Please be aware that the classes are often booked far in advance, so it may take a while for you to get into one. Also, if you can't make it, please call us at least 24 hours in advance to cancel so another volunteer can take your place. We offer the class on Saturdays: one class from noon - 3pm, and one from 4 - 7pm. Occasionally we also hold Getting Started Classes during the week.

Recording Hours

At the end of each of your volunteer shifts, you'll need to log your hours and sign up for your next shift at the front desk. If you won't be able to make it to Free Geek for your shift, please call us. As an additional thank-you for your service, after you've volunteered for 4 hours, you'll receive a 50% discount in our Thrift Store!

Common-Sense Stuff

Please stay safe. There are lots of pointy things and tall piles of computer stuff at Free Geek. Be careful, wear shoes, dress appropriately for your task, and alert a staff member if you see something that needs attention.

- Stay safe - You can always keep volunteering when you're done!