Ubuntu being used in Computer Lending Library project in Winnipeg

[Shaleem Hosein]

Hello, list members.

I'm new on the list and wanted to tell you about a project that I'm involved in.


It's the Computer Lending Library Project in Winnipeg.  Essentially, we work on and then hand out surplus computers to poor people.  The computers are donated by Computers For Schools & Libraries, who receive computers from the Feds, Manitoba Hydro and other organizations.


 

The project originated in Selkirk by the Smart Partners group.  About a year ago, the projected began to operate in Winnipeg, out of the Aboriginal Centre building and with the cooperation of their tennant, CAHRD, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development.



The computers were handed out with the default installation of Windows 2000, but no service packs, anti-virus or spyware detection software.  Not surprisingly, many of the computers ended up being returned due to malware and spyware problems.  



In the fall of 2006, Smart Partners asked the CIPS Winnipeg President if CIPS could help out.  CIPS decided to ask their student members if they wanted to get involved.  At the same time, I, as both a member of CIPS and The Manitoba Open Source Group (an advocacy group), thought that the project could benefit from installing open source software and also Ubuntu Linux.

 

The participants from the TMOSG came up with a software load for the Windows computers comprised of open source programs.  We are currently working on an image for Ubuntu Linux, which will speed up the production of the computers. We are hoping to see how many recipients actually return Ubuntu computers due to problems with malware and viruses.  The students are excited to work with Linux and many of them have installed it already.  They realize that they stand to learn new skills that others who hope to enter the IT sector do not necessarily have.



The recipients of the free computers have to attend a 40-hour course on software, which has been sponsored by Microsoft.  We're hoping to have a few hours of Ubuntu training thrown in.  Also, when the users show up to pick up their computers, we hope to demonstrate Ubuntu to them.  We're going to put the PDF Desktop User Guide for Ubuntu 6.06 on the desktop.  Having some Ubuntu training added will not be a problem, as it turns out.  They will also be taught about saving documents with MS extentions, in the event that they have to or wish to do so.


Should the Computer Lending Library program become successful, it may be looked at as a pilot project for the rest of Canada.  That potentially means that there could be a lot more Ubuntu computers out there and this has me encouraged.  I've sent some self-addressed, pre-paid envelopes for free Ubuntu stickers to afix to each Ubuntu computer.

 

The CLL Project website is http://www.computerlendinglibrary.ca/, if anyone is interested.  We are currently operating without a budget.  Expenses for supplies have been paid for by CIPS but some of the folks on the board will be looking around for funding and donations of supplies.  The Aboriginal Centre is providing us with a DSL line and work space.  Since December, every Saturday about 8 students (the group fluctuates) show up along with members of the steering committee to lend technical leadership.  Our goal is to pump out 20-30 computers a week.  We have a mix of P2 and P3s, most with 128 MB of RAM, which is barely enough.  Eventually, we will have far more P3s and will hopefully be able to find more RAM.  So far, the project has been in a ramp-up phase.  Every week, we break some new ground.  Soon, when we have our images in place, we will be able to focus more on production.  



The Manitoba Open Source Group is a collection of guys (just guys at the moment) who hang out about once a month to chat about technology, sports and anything else that comes to mind.  Some of the guys are open source consultants, some are IT professionals (like myself) and some have a background in IT but are mostly Linux and computer hobbyists who believe in the concept of open source.  On occaision, we write letters to educate political candidates about open source.  One of  guys has taught Linux to high school teachers who then incorporate Linux  in their computer labs.  The students are loving it.  We are hoping to convince more organizations in the public and private sector in Winnipeg to investigate open source as an option and to encourage them to switch over or integrate open source into their systems.  I personally am a true Linux and Ubuntu newbie.  I run Win 2000 on my P2 and Ubuntu 6.06 on my P4, with a KVM switch to share the monitor and keyboard.


I am supposed to create a how-to document for the recipients of the free computers and that is my next little project.  This document has to written to take into account that many of these recipients have never used a computer before, which is why including the Desktop Guide by itself may not be enough.

If anyone has any feedback with ideas about anything I've written, I'd love to hear them.

Sincerely,
 
 

Shaleem Hosein

Winnipeg.

www.cipswinnipeg.ca
http://trinimansblog.blogspot.com/
http://blogcritics.org/
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