ComputerBank NSW is a volunteer organisation which works to bridge the digital divide amongst the technologically disadvantaged by refurbishing older computers, installing Linux, and donating them to those who are in need of computers without any other means of obtaining them. See http://www.cbnsw.org.au/ for more details.
As we are a volunteer organisation, we are always on the lookout for more helping hands. You don't have to be a Linux guru, you just need to want to learn about Linux and computer hardware. Sorry about the short notice, but I've only just managed to get the date pinned down. I'm going to be doing an install at Bundaleer community center, at or around Warrawong (near - both geographically and phonetically - to Wollongong), on Tuesday 16 July. I've been talking to them for a couple of months now about getting a small bunch of computers installed, and it's come off. So, anybody who wants to come along and help out, I'll be waiting at the petrol station at Grease City (aka the Northgate center) at North Wollongong at 9am for anyone who's coming down. I'd like some knowledge beforehand that you're coming, if possible. The get to the Northgate, you need to come down from Sydney (any which way you like) and head down Mount Ousley. At the bottom, just at a butt-ugly sculpture, there's an exit marked 'Wollongong'. Head off there, cruise down that road. You'll come to a big roundabout, with a Maccas and other fast-food joints (hence Grease City) and a petrol station. I'll be there driving either a white EA Falcon station wagon or a sky-blue Superbug (not sure which yet, but hopefully the wagon). We'll roll from there to Bundaleer in convoy. Anyone who needs a lift should contact me privately and we'll work something out. Hopefully demonstrated on the day will be the new build I've been working on. What needs to be done on the day will be: Installation of the network (all machines are together, so no long runs needed). Plonking the machines in and starting them up. Cable tidying. This is pretty important, as it's a community centre with lots of little kids around. I'll have a pile of cable ties and holders to tie everything up with. Some initial demonstration of how it all works. That will involve me demonstrating the admin tasks they can perform, and everyone else playing with the computers, helping the kids out with it, advocating Linux where possible. There might be troubleshooting needed, but I'm hoping to have the whole thing built beforehand and tested before it goes in. All I really need are a couple more hands to carry stuff and fiddle, and make a good showing when the hordes of people arrive to check out the shiny kit. And, of course, if you're not already involved with ComputerBank, to see what we do! - Matt -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group - http://slug.org.au/ More Info: http://lists.slug.org.au/listinfo/slug
