FreekBox

A FreekBox is the most common kind of computer built in our Build Program. It is given to an Adoption Program volunteer after 24 hours of service, or to a Build program volunteer after he or she has built 6 systems (including the one they are given). Occasionally, FreekBoxen are distributed via the Hardware Grants program.

Current Freekbox

current hardware specs

(they generally rise over time)

This policy clarifies which volunteers can earn their free desktop computer at Free Geek. Regardless of what program a volunteer is in, all volunteers can earn one FreekBox per year. The only exception to this rule are volunteers that are volunteering their time for court ordered community service hours.

Each free computer includes the FreekBox specifications.

Policy

1. Volunteers in the Adoption Program can get their first computer after 24 hours of volunteer work. Subsequent computers can be obtained only once per year. Only the hours logged since the most recent computer adopted will count towards any subsequent computer.

2. Volunteers in the Build Program can receive their first computer after successfully having built five computers. Subsequent computers can be obtained only once per year. Only the computers built since the most recent computer adopted will count towards any subsequent computer. Build hours are the only volunteer hours that do not count towards points for adoption in our database.

3. Any undisbursed components of initial system may only be claimed within one year of initial adoption date.

Exceptions: If a volunteer in the build program cannot complete the program, but they have volunteered 24 hours. If a build volunteer has completed 24 hours and needs a free computer before finishing the program. In this case, we should still encourage the build volunteer to complete the program and remind them that they are only eligible to earn one free computer per year even when they finish building their sixth computer and complete the program within the year.

How to disburse a free computer to a build volunteer that has not completed the program:

• Double check their volunteer file to confirm that the volunteer has not received a disbursement in the past year.
• Send an email to build@freegeek.org and it will automatically generate a ticket in the Build RT queue. Be sure to include
  1. Volunteer Name
  2. Message: Note that the volunteer will be receiving a computer before they complete the Build program.
     Please also note if they intend to complete the program (if you know). Include your name on the email so that a staff person can touch base with you if they have any questions about the disbursement.
     
• Sign the volunteer up for a Getting Started Class or direct them toward picking up their computer during Free Geek's regular “Free Computer” hours. A disbursement form will be filled out when they pick up their computer at these times and entered into the database.
• A build volunteer that does not complete the program will not be able to choose which system they will bring home and must go through the same channels that all other volunteers go through to receive their free computer.

Important things to note: We do not want to encourage build volunteers to adopt a computer before completing the build program. When volunteers sign up for this program, they are agreeing to build six computers with the option to adopt their sixth computer.

If a volunteer is interested in volunteering because they would like to earn a free computer as quickly as possible, it is important to initially steer them towards the adoption program. This program can be completed quickly, and the volunteer can always sign up for the build program once they complete the adoption program. It is always important to remind the volunteer that even though they may complete both programs in one year, that they are only eligible to earn one free computer per year.

3. Volunteers in other areas such as, advanced build, interns (paid and unpaid), education, outreach, and all other areas can get their first computer after 24 hours of volunteer work. Subsequent computers can be obtained only once per year. Only the hours logged since the most recent computer adopted will count towards any subsequent computer.

4. The only volunteers that are not eligible to earn points towards adopting a computer are volunteers that are volunteering their time for court ordered community service hours.

Exceptions: Once a community service volunteer has completed their court ordered hours, they can continue volunteering at Free Geek and begin earning points towards a computer or begin the build program.

• This Policy was adopted at a staff collective meeting on 10/7/11

FreekBox Specs

Processor: 2800-3200 MHz 
RAM: 512 MB 
Hard drive: 60-80 GB 
CD-ROM: CD-RW and DVD player 
Networking: Ethernet 
Monitor: 17" CRT 
Video card: AGP (or onboard) capable of 1024x768 
Speakers: external 
Sound: Onboard or PCI 
Keyboard: 104 key standard 
Mouse: 3 button scroll 

software specs (partial)

• Ubuntu Linux 10.04 (Lucid Lynx)
• Gnome desktop
• Openoffice.org office suite
• Firefox web browser

choosing the software specifications for the FreekBox is the province of the Technocrats group (formerly Distro).

FreekBox 3

This box had lower hardware specs which evolved over the years. It was based on Debian GNU/Linux (sarge), and used KDE with firefox and openoffice.org.

FreekBox 2

This box had lower hardware specs which evolved over the years. It was based on Debian GNU/Linux (woody), and used the IceWM window manager plus KDE's desktop (to provide icons on the desktop).

FreekBox 1

This was the first standardized box we built. It was based on Mandrake GNU/Linux.

(Mandrake was an earlier incarnation of what is now known as Mandriva Linux. It is based on the Redhat Package Management (RPM) system, unlike Debian and Ubuntu.)