[ubuntu-us] Government Service Initatives

[Kevin Cole]

Computers for Learning
----------------------

On a somewhat related note, I recently learned of the federal government's
"Computers for Learning" program.

Their home page (http://computersforlearning.gov/) states:

| In order to encourage and promote the reuse of computers,
| GSA is proud to sponsor the new re-engineered Computers
| for Learning (CFL) website.
|
| The CFL program evolved as a guide for implementing
| Executive Order 12999, Educational Technology: Ensuring
| Opportunity for all Children in the Next Century. The
| executive order encourages agencies, to the extent
| permitted by law, to transfer computers and related
| peripheral equipment excess to their needs directly to
| schools and some educational nonprofit organizations. The
| CFL program specifically matches the computer needs of
| schools and educational nonprofit organization with excess
| equipment in Federal agencies.
|
| The CFL program's ambitious goal is to make modern computer
| technology an integral part of every classroom so that
| every child has the opportunity to be educated to his or
| her full potential. This program can be phenomenally
| successful.

Although the site FAQ says that the only computers they accept and
distribute are "Windows based PCs and Apples," I wrote to the the agency
and asked if that was really the case.  The reply I received was

| Dear Customer,
|
| The program allows Government Agencies to donate computers
| and other related items to eligible recipients.  If a
| Federal Agency wants to donate a Linux Based computer
| they may do so.
|
| Aaron
| GSA FAS Technical Support
|
| Contact Us:
| By Phone (Toll free) 1-866-472-9161
| By Email computers.learning at gsa.gov
|
| Hours of Operation:
| 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Promising, no?

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-- 
 Kevin Cole                    |  Key ID: 0xE6F332C7   (GPG/PGP)
 Ubuntu Linux DC LoCo Team     |     WWW: http://dc.ubuntu-us.org/
 Washington, D.C.  (USA)       |   Phone: +1.202.234.0213

           ". ! 1 |" -- Rene Magritte's computer

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