[K12OSN] Call for Help: Katrina Public Web Stations Project

[Steve Hargadon]

Right now we're encouraging people to put their inventory on
diyparts.org.  The harder part is to get some people on the ground who
can arrange to put the web stations.  That's what I'm trying to figure
out now.  Lots of good people who want to contribute equipment and
time--but how do we get the actual web stations installed in
facilities?

On 9/2/05, Jim Kronebusch <jim at winonacotter.org> wrote:
> Would you see Bondi iMacs running at 233MHZ with 160MB RAM and 4GB hard drives
> as sufficient?  I may be able to line up a couple hundred of these with proper
> approval.
> 
> You may need to run some sort of PPC based distro of Knoppix or YDL, or even
> the PPC tree of LTSP, but they should be of use.
> 
> Jim Kronebusch
> Cotter Tech Department
> 507-453-5188
> 
> ---------- Original Message -----------
> From: Steve Hargadon <steve.hargadon at gmail.com>
> To: "Support list for opensource software in schools." <k12osn at redhat.com>,
> refurbishers at refurb.compumentor.org, "LUGOD's general discussion mailing list"
> <vox at lists.lugod.org>
> Sent: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 07:46:53 -0700
> Subject: [K12OSN] Call for Help: Katrina Public Web Stations Project
> 
> > www.PublicWebStations.com
> >
> > The Vision:
> >
> > Hurricane Katrina has left individuals and families with many needs,
> > and relief agencies will work hard to prepare food, clothing, and
> > shelter for them.  Many will be unable to return home for weeks or
> > months.  Free, readily-available public access to the Internet during
> > this time can provide a crucial lifeline for them during this time.
> >
> > Ultimately, the goal will be the ability to create an instant
> > volunteer network of public web stations after any major disaster
> > anywhere in the world.
> >
> > The Opportunity:
> >
> > Older computers, Pentium 2 level or above, can run as a Firefox web
> > station (or kiosk), requiring only 128mb or ram, a network card, and
> > access to an Internet-connected network.  Schools, libraries,
> > agencies, and businesses could easily and quickly provide free public
> > web stations to assist those displaced by the hurricane.
> >
> > The computers needed are available in abundance for free or minimal
> > cost, and many organizations have an excess of these older computers
> > with no use for them.  The technology needed to turn them into web
> > stations is both free and effective, being based on the Linux
> > operating system and the Firefox web browser.  A single file is
> > downloaded and burned to a CD-ROM, placed in the CD-ROM drive of the
> > computer, and then the computer is booted from the CD-ROM.  The
> > computer boots up directly to a Firefox web browser window in less
> > than a minute, not requiring any keystrokes or skills to get there.
> >
> > A working web station would take no more than 5 minutes to set up,
> > and requires no ongoing maintenance except in the case of hardware
> > failure.  In case of any difficulties, the machine is just rebooted.
> > (More information on LiveCD's for web stations is given here.)
> >
> > What is Needed (9/2/05):
> >
> > 1.  Volunteers to set up the web stations.  This involves someone
> > with the ability to download a small (60MB) version of a "LiveCD"--
> > that is, Linux that runs from the CD-Rom drive and doesn't require
> > the hard drive--burn it to a CD-Rom, connect a monitor, mouse, and
> > keyboard to the computer, and then connect the computer to an
> > Internet-capable network.  Sign up here to volunteer to help.
> >
> > 2.  Organizations who will donate the computers, monitors, keyboards,
> > mice, and network cables.  DIY Parts is acting as a clearinghouse for
> > the used equipment.  As well, CompuMentor in San Francisco keeps a
> > list of non-profit computer refurbishment organizations that could
> > assist in locating used equipment.
> >
> > 3.  Organizations to provide mirror sites for downloading the .iso
> > image(s).
> >
> > 4.  Web page help:
> >         Someone who can build a quick database of volunteers--name,
> > phone, cell, email, city, and state--and a few simple php pages for
> > others to locate local volunteers.
> >         Someone to keep a Katrina portal page updated
> >         Someone to write up easy instructions for setting up a public
> > web station
> >
> > 5.  Someone to create a graphic file for a standardized banner/sign
> > that can be printed at Kinkos which easily identifies a public web
> > station.
> >
> > 6.  Someone who can monitor the LiveCD and LiveKiosk projects and
> > make sure we continue to provide the most effective versions.
> >
> > 7.  Grass-roots publicity volunteers:  anyone willing to post a note
> > about project to mail-lists, news organizations, friends and family,
> > etc.
> >
> > --
> > Steve Hargadon
> > 916-899-1400 direct
> > www.technologyrescue.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> > --
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> > Department, and is believed to be clean.
> ------- End of Original Message -------
> 
> 
> --
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-- 
Steve Hargadon
916-899-1400 direct
www.technologyrescue.com