Resurrecting Computers with Free Software

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This is some of the information from a talk done at debconf6, in Oaxtepec, Mexico, May 15th, 2006. video

Intro

We would like to talk a bit about the why's and how's of community-driven computer reuse and recycling organizations, how free software makes it possible, and pointers on how to start your own.

We'll start off by talking about projects in venezuela (Grupo de Usuario Linux de Mérida, Fundacite Mérida, http://andinux.org, http://sapi.gov.ve) and follow up with talk about Free Geek of Portland, Oregon, USA.

A Venezuela experience

The situation:

  • We have many small schools with limited budget for buying computers.
  • We have a presidential decree for used Free software in all public administration.
  • We have one biggest petroleum state company in the world and they buy modern computers every year; they haved many used computers which are very usefull for projects.
  • We are working in projects to get those computers in public access libraries, internet public access points, labs in schools and others

Why recycled computers in Venezuela?

  • We have many old unused computers
  • Many small schools don't have computers
  • The non free software is not useable with older computers
  • The free software works in older computers which gives you many options for re-use.

Some solutions in Venezuela

  • Full LTSP project implementation
  • We had a Troll Party in February-2006, Caracas, sponsored by SAPI (Servicio Autónomo Protección Intelectual, Patents Office) and they had a cluster with old 486 computers, almost 40.
  • Customized .deb packages for LTSP project
  • We have some government institution, like Fundacite Mérida, implementing the solution for schools and community internet access.
  • We are working in spanish documentation
  • We are working in spanish tutorial

Free Geek

The situation in venezuela is not entirely unique.

Nearly anywhere there are computers, there is "obsolete" equipment taking up space or even worse, improperly disposed of in landfills or shipped overseas and heaped in large piles and burned. Why is this such a bad thing? Computers and monitors contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, as well as other toxic substances. If improperly disposed of, these substances can leak into water supplies, or if burned, released into the air.

So, we talk about free software, but software is useless without hardware. By taking the cast-off equipment that is a waste disposal problem, and by teaching volunteers how to process this equipment, we are able to provide people equipment that can be used to access the versatile resource of the internet, and do more responsible recycling of the dangerous raw materials.

Free Geek has attempted to document how it does what it does. Not everything will be applicable in all places(everywhere has unique assets and challenges), but by documenting how freegeek works, hopefully others will find some of the information useful in starting or continuing their own projects.

Similar Projects

Anyone know of a similar project in their area?

Homework Assignment

I want everybody here to go home and start a Free Geek. In your local area.

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