The date of the first installfest is approaching, and we're starting to kick Linux Against Poverty into high gear.

For our friends in other cities, we've made a few changes. The initial Linux Against Poverty event will be in Austin only. Although I've been hosting events for almost 20 years, and Ken and the Helios team has been averaging 350 donated computers per year, this is the first time we've attempted a large scale install fest. We will no doubt encounter snags. When problems arise, we'd like to give them our full attention. In addition, we would like be able to share with everyone how we overcome these problems -- so that no one else has to stumble through them.

Once we get through the initial Austin event, we will document it from front to back, and provide our friends around the world -- especially those folks bugging me on the West Coast -- with a blueprint of how to organize their own Linux Against Poverty -- from start to finish. Each successive LAP event can benefit from the experience of the previous.

Finally, by not having simultaneous events all the same day, we will be available to provide assistance to our friends in other cities, because we won't be busy hosting our own event at the same time.

So, first Austin, then your town!

The Austin event is scheduled for Saturday, August 1st. For more details, check out the Austin Installfest page.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunites,
send me an email at lynnbender@geekaustin.org

Hope to see you there!

-Lynn

One of the first considerations in hosting a Linux Against Poverty installfest/event is how and where to obtain computers. You can only donate as many computers as you can get your hands on. When I first envisioned the local LAP event, I figured that it wouldn't be hard for me to get my hands on 100 computers -- but I have a pretty high profile in Austin. Still, if I were to have a 2nd event, I might find my sources exhausted.

So I put this question to Ken at HeliOS initiative. Austin is fortunate to have him as our local Linux Against Poverty partner. Last year Ken provided over 350 Linux computers to local children. That makes him an expert at getting his hands on free machines -- year after year. I asked Ken to share some of his expertise

Ken Starks, founder of the HeliOS Initiative.

Lynn Bender: As folks in various cities prepare for local Linux Against Poverty events, one of the first things that they will have to consider is how to obtain computers. This last year, HeliOS initiative providing over 350 computers for underprivileged children. So it's safe to say that you now have a pretty good pipeline going. Looking back to when you first started a few years ago, could you tell me where your best sources for obtaining computers? Did you approach friends? Companies where friends worked?