[Ubuntu Chicago] Ubuntu Chicago Team in action

[Patrick Green]

Though I have been on the Ubuntu Chicago mailing list for some time, last
night was the first time I saw them in action.  Last night Rich and Jim came
to assist some of the students where I teach part time, Christian Life
College in Mount Prospect.

Furthermore, Robert came to offer college student friendly priced laptops
and hardware.

Maybe there were only 10 students at the event and 3 guys from the list, but
it was worth it.

A student I had loaded Gutsy on was having trouble with her wireless.  Jim
diligently stuck with her machine and got it working.  There was an Ubuntu
install performed on another students computer as well along with serious
interest from another one who will install it soon.

Rich also got a tour of the campus to see the classroom offered to the
Chicago Ubuntu team for use along with the server room that we will
hopefully linuxise soon, and the computer lab.

This is the beginning of something.

Many "techies" have made promises to the school and the students and few
have delivered on those promises.  But you are looking at independent
people.  We operate as  community.

Here is the opportunity I see.  The students are appreciative of the help.
The school is appreciative of the opportunity.  These two students with
Ubuntu PC's are going to spread the word.  Now comes the fun part.

Once we get Linux on the server, the school can see the improvements to
their infrastructure.  This is a small college and they are tight on funds.
I can see within a year all the office and lab systems becoming Ubuntu PC's
if we as a community work with their community.  Now, this may not be a
large college, but it IS a nationally accredited four year school which
would be a feather in the cap for this group, Linux, and Ubuntu.

This was a baby step.  But an important one.  I love the student community
there and the Linux community.  This was a wonderful amalgamation of both
communities.  Thank you to the three who showed up and I am hopeful that we
take future steps.  I want an Ubuntu college!!!  Free of windows we can open
doors for young minds!

Thank you again for taking the time out to help a handful of students.  I
will get this night out in some blogs about the character and willingness to
reach out that the Ubuntu Chicago Loco commits itself to.
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