Talk:Volunteer

Potential Volunteer FAQ

• How do I get started?

Come down for a tour! Tours double as a volunteer orientation and will introduce you to the different volunteer program available at Free Geek. Tours are offered Tuesday - Saturday at both Noon and 6:00 pm. No appointment is necessary, just show up a few minutes early.

• Can I do my community service hours for school at Free Geek?

Probably, but we'll need to know some more info before you start. For example, will we be required to fill out any paperwork, such as an evaluation? How many hours will you be doing? Please fill out the web form HERE to get started.

* Can I do my court-appointed community service hours at Free Geek?

Probably, but please contact us so we can discuss some details.

• I don't know anything about computers, what can I do at Free Geek?

No computer experience is necessary to volunteer at Free Geek. We have many ways to volunteer and can accommodate mostly everyone!

* I have lotsa background in hardware, software, programming, etc. - what can I do for Free Geek?

• Who can volunteer?

Anyone who wants to volunteer time at Free Geek and can make it to our facility is welcome. No computer experience is required. Our facility is mostly handicapped-accessible, and we are sensitive to and can work with people with different abilities. People under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult who will work alongside him/her.

• What kind of computer will I earn? Can I play games?

It's a FreekBox, built from used equipment that has been donated to the recycling center and running the Ubuntu 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 Freekboxes come loaded with a bunch of software and because we use all FOSS, you have access to a world of free software. The short answer for playing games is “no, not really,” but if a person has the patience and some degree of computer expertise (and is willing to purchase, on their own, more memory and a better graphics card), there is a way to play certain Windows-specific games on a Freekbox (i.e. World of Warcraft)

• Do I get to build my own computer?

If you don't need a computer right away and are interested in learning how to build computers, you may want to join the Build Program. Otherwise, it is 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.

• How to I sign up?

There are volunteer orientation tours everyday we are open (Tues. - Sat.) at noon and 6:00pm. There is no appointment necessary, just show up a few minutes before the tour and check in at the reception desk. The tour takes between a half-hour to 45 minutes and will show you how our different programs work. At the end of the tour you will have an opportunity to sign-up for one of our programs and schedule your first volunteer shift.

• What do volunteers do at Free Geek?

• Adoption Program:

• Receiving: helping donors unload, sorting through boxes of stuff, dispersing donated stuff throughout the building
• Recycling: disassembling computers, printers, and other electronics bound for raw material recycling
• Other: Cleaning, Data Entry, Monitor Testing (heavy lifting)

• Build Program: Free Geek can teach you how to build computers. If you agree to complete six computers, we will teach you the process, including hardware identification, system evaluation, troubleshooting, and assembly. You can keep the sixth computer you complete for your own personal use.

• I don't have time to volunteer; can I just buy a computer?

Sure! The Thrift Store frequently has a variety of computers you could purchase.

• Can we put our hours together in order to earn our computer faster?

Yes, you may combine your hours, but it's important for the person/people to take the FreekBox Adoption class. 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?

Not exactly. Our policy is that 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.

• Does Free Geek accommodate handicapped volunteers?

Our facility is mostly handicapped-accessible, and we are sensitive to and can work with people with different abilities.

• How about volunteers who don't speak English?

While there are some folks on staff who speak other languages, they are not always around to translate. 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.

• Can kids volunteer?

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.

• Do I get a printer with the FreekBox?

Unfortunately, we can't refurbish enough good, working printers to be able to give one away with each FreekBox. However, if you're a current volunteer, you may buy a printer from our Thrift Store at a 50% discount.

• I've never used Linux before and I hear it's hard to use.

While this is a common misconception and Linux can be very easy to use, with the Adoption Program, Free Geek offers a basic class on how to use and personalize the computer you earn. Free Geek also offers a series of in-depth classes about each OpenOffice program (Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation) AND a class which allows you to find out a little more about how to do what you want to do with your computer (“Super Adopter” class”). Additionally, as an incentive to keep using Linux, Free Geek offers a year of free tech support for all volunteers who keep Linux on their Freekboxes.

• I live in Eastern Oregon/Missouri/Liberia, and I can't come in to earn a computer. How can I get one?

The bad news: we're not there (yet.) The good news: we DO have affiliates in numerous other places, including Vancouver BC, Chicago, Columbus, and Indiana. Check our website for other locations. If there's no Free Geek in your area, try using http://www.google.com/ and searching for the name of your town and "free computer". You also might want to search for "Linux Users Group" as many Linux users like to help people set stuff up cheaply.

• Can I get a laptop or Mac?

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.