SOME THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN 2004.
December
Newsletter
BRIDGES IN AFRICA
December, 2004 At FREE GEEK, we often get grant requests from individuals and
organizations in Africa. One of our main concerns with overseas grants
is that we do not know that the equipment will be properly dealt with
when it has reached the end of its (second) life. "How
to Set Up and Operate a Successful Computer Refurbishment Centre in
Africa: A Planning and Management Guide (pdf)" is the result of a
study undertaken by bridges.org in early 2004, which examined the
methods and strategies of the computer refurbishment industry,
focusing on Africa.
HELP FREE GEEK THROUGH THE WILLY WEEK
GIVE GUIDE
November/December, 2004 The Willamette Week has made
it easy to donate to a good cause this holiday season! The WW has
profiled 30 deserving
local organizations, and FREE GEEK tops the list of Environmental
Organizations. If FREE GEEK can raise the most money from people under
age 35, the most $25 contributions, or the most money overall, we'll
win an additional $1000! Your
contribution can make a difference to the whole FREE GEEK
community. You could help us keep the heat (and the servers) on.
LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER MAKES US LOOK PRETTY
December, 2004 Thanks, Miles! We love the Inner
SE industrial district too. The window paintings pictured here
were donated by volunteer Rick Davis, back when the space behind that
window was our thrift store.
LINUX CERTIFICATION THROUGH LPI
December, 2004 On January 23rd, 2005, FREE GEEK will be hosting the Linux Professional Institute's 101 and 102
Linux system administration exams. Their website offers some good
points on why
certification is relevant to users of Free ond Open Source
Software. Collaboration with LPI allows us to offer the tests for a
reduced price.
To register for these exams, contact laurel at freegeek dot org before
December 29th. We will definitely be running these tests again,
possibly even on a monthly basis, so don't worry if you can't do it
this time.
PAWC MAKES STATEMENT ON PDC PROJECT
December 13, 2004 The Portland Alliance of Worker
Collectives, of which FREE GEEK is a member, released a letter in support of
the Beam Construction proposal for the Portland
Development Commission's Burnside Bridgehead project. We are also
staunchly against bringing "Big Box" retailers into the inner East
side: a very unPortland thing to do. If you want to know more or make
a comment, there's information and a comment form on the PDC page
linked above.
November
Newsletter
October
Newsletter
FREE GEEK REPRESENTED IN AFRICAN CONFERENCE
October, 2004Oso went to Johannesburg to attend conference sponsored by Schoolnet Africa
and associated organizations. His first report: "The program we are
discussing is called "1 million PCs for African Schools". There are reps
from all over Africa and many from Europe, and just a couple from the US
(aren't we special). They are really concerned about environmentally sound
disposal techniques - after folks here found out I had some knowledge in
that regard - I was buried in business cards!"
One project on the table might involve an exchange, with FREE GEEK
providing training for Africans who will return home and set up their
own reuse and training centers to deal with the issue of electronic
waste over there.
RECHARGE THE L-WING! Geek
Fair 2004
Saturday, September 18, 2004 Our annual block party/street
fair was in September this year to save you, our friends, from the killing
heat of August. Graciously enough, Nature provided us with lots of
cold instead. La! We didn't mind too much. There were bands, a game
show, wanton destruction, food and merriment: check this page
for more information on the ruckus!
BOSSLESS PORTLAND BIKE TOUR!
August 15, 2004 The Portland Alliance of Worker
Collectives sponsored a bike tour of member collectives -
including us! Many, many people on bikes rode all around southeast and
RIGHT THROUGH free geek. The classsroom was full of them!
(Unfortunately, the battery on our camera was dead. But watch
indymedia for a video
report from a couple of participants.)
July 24, 2004
First ever Portland Penguin Day! FREE GEEK hosted this conference to
bring together the non-profit world and the Free Software world. See
the website for more
information.
Late June, 2004
What makes FREE GEEK grow so fast and strong? Maybe it's all the
vegetables that we eat, maybe it's the secret computer radiation
treatment we've been undergoing. This month we hired two folks: Jon Tester went from "Operations Coordinator
Assistant Intern" to "Operations Co-coordinator" (thereby joining our
collective) and Michael Westwind went
from dedicated volunteer to "Tech Support Coordinator Intern". This
means our dear Aunt Nancy will be turning her skills to other areas
of the operation, like teaching.
May 18, 2004
Despite all our moaning and denial, we've had to come to terms with
Vagrant's impending departure (he's on his way to South America!) and
hired our much-beloved all-around volunteer Martin as our new Build
Co-Coordinator. Goodness, but we're blessed.
April 17, 2004
Earth Day Celebration, "Plant yourself, grow together" is the theme for
this years event at Kellog Middle School, SE 69th and Powell. Come visit
the Free Geek booth and enjoy free live music, food and other cool
stuff--like free fruit trees!
April 7, 2004
Congressman Dennis Kucinich visited Free Geek today. He got the grand tour
and seemed to enjoy himself. He's really nice. And they put a video of us on their website!
March 31, 2004
Electronic Product Stewardship Action Committee meeting No. 2
March 28, 2004
Ron and Oso attended Penguin Day in Philadelphia, giving a presentation on
how to start up a Free Geek organization. They even got to hang out with
the cool folks from the Free Software Foundation.
March 26-27, 2004
Ron and Oso attended the national Non-profit Technology Conference in
Philadelphia. Ron Braithwaite gave a talk on using collaboration to
maximize scant resources.
March 22-23, 2004
Ron and Oso began the Free Geek east coast tour, arriving in Ephrata, PA
to help Ray and his crew set up Free Geek Penn (in Amish country no
less!).
February 12, 2004
Free Geek is representing the non-profit sector in a multi stakeholder
legislative committee called EPSAC (Electronic Product Stewardship Action
Committee). This is the first meeting of the group.
February 10-11, 2004
NEPSI (National Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative) final meeting
at the Portland Convention Center.
