Ubuntu going on surplus PCs for the poor
Triniman
I'm not sure if anyone has heard about the Computer Lending Library
Project. It's been around for about a year. Surplus computers are
being handed out to poor people who complete a 40-hour application
course.
Many of the computers were being returned due to the amount of malware
they contracted.
My involvement began when I suggested that they try installing Ubuntu
Linux and an open source load. Prior to my advocacy group getting
involved, they were beginning to install OpenOffice.org on the default
operating system, Windows 2000, but we have created a larger open
source software load includes spyware detection software and free anti-
virus.
We're trying to create a Ubuntu 6.06.1 image in order to speed up
production and to make the computers uniform.
Our goal is to eventually hand out 50% of the computers running Win
2000 and 50% running Ubuntu. Then, over time, we will see how many of
the computers get returned due to malware. We're hoping the Linux
boxes will fare better than the Windows ones, but since we're
protecting the Windows computers, we're hoping few of those get
returned, as well.
If anyone is interested, I would be happy to discuss the project in
greater detail. We're trying to pump out 20-30 computers a week and
most computers appear to be P3.