[NTLUG:Discuss] A Looming Opportunity for Linux in DFW....

[Alvin Goats]

This is an intentional cross post to both User Groups:

First, some history and then the opportunity, it's the only way I can 
see it making sense...

Summer of 2006, I was invited to the studios of KNON for the program 
"Beyond Bows & Arrows", a Native American Indian program where I was 
interviewed as a Physicist. Since then, there has been several attempts 
to get something going with teaching computers and computer skills to 
the American Indian community (some 60k in the DFW area). There's also 
some effort to get computers to the kids who don't have one. Lots of 
starting and stopping, so I didn't pester too many till now.

Recently, the Dallas Indian Methodist Church was broken into and their 
ONLY PC stolen. Coincidentally, a colleague of mine at work stumbled 
into some PC's that are being donated which I plan to get to the Church. 
I have talked with the pastor there and she had hopes of setting up a 
classroom for Sunday school classes with computers. What developed out 
of our discussions is:

o  The Dallas Indian Methodist Church could host the classrooms for 
teaching computers and computing skills
o  IF we manage to get enough 486's, we might build a Beowulf which 
could be used for teaching animation and supercomputing (magic number is 16)
o  The classroom would be available for volunteers from the User Groups 
to teach things like Linux, Systems Adminisituration, Network 
Administration, Python, OpenOffice, etc.
o  Because of licensing issues with software that may or may not be on 
the gift PC's, Linux is a preferred approach, meaning something like 
kubuntu (kde interface, which "feels' the most like M$-Windows) and 
OpenOffice.
o  Wine must be set up so that various Church software, written for 
M$-Windows can be run.

What does this give the User Groups?

1)   Community recognition with possible publicity for setting up 
computer classroom(s) and teaching (think TV and radio)
2)   Those involved can add this to their resumes. Working with 
non-profits and charities can be leveraged into resumes with such things 
as mentoring/teaching/training, as well as maintaining and running their 
"network". Web site, maybe?
3)   You'd be working with a minority that is working to improve 
themselves. Education is important and they know it. Schools tend to 
pigeon hole them with arts and crafts and focus into social work or 
menial labor.
4)   Self gratification. You get the pleasure of helping people help 
themselves.
4)   Selfish gains:  some of you have hit barriers at work where you 
can't get a position due to lack of x years of experience and your 
employer won't give you the experience, even if you know how to do the 
job. So volunteer and get the X years of experience which you can 
promote to your employer.


I know in the past the NTLUG was looking for something they could do 
that would be visible and helpful to the community, so here's your 
chance. Think about installing and teaching Linux to people who haven't 
got much computer skills. Your chance to gently evangelize Linux and 
move people away from Micro$oft.


I know with the DFWUUG, that we have the various issues that affect our 
ability to get experience for jobs, so here's your chance as well. 

EVERYONE, think about what is needed in school and business that is done 
in M$ and have GOOD, similar look and feel replacements in Linux.


Alvin Goats
Member, NTLUG
Career SIG Leader, DFWUUG
Linux Counter #76398

P.S. there may be other things coming in the future with some other 
projects that I'm being briefed on, one of which involves a 3 day 
streaming internet broadcast...