Fw: OSEI RFC: Obsolete PC Drive for Linux Thin Clients

[Warren Togami]

You *offensive* people sparked this idea. ;)  Thanks.

Right now this is only an RFC, but I could use suggestions, commitments of
your support... your computers... etc.
Mid-Pacific Institute's Open Source in Education Initiative is only in the
concept phase right now, but the school is enthusiastic about the
possibilities and it looks like this will happen.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Warren Togami" <warren at togami.com>
To: "Mark Hines" <mhines at midpac.edu>; "Tom Donahoe" <thetman at lava.net>;
"Marcia J. Kemble" <mkemble at aloha.com>; <ksumner at midpac.edu>;
<jcrice at midpac.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 11:41 PM
Subject: OSEI RFC: Obsolete PC Drive for Linux Thin Clients


> RFC - Request for Comment
> Please reply with any of your thoughts of concerns.
>
> **********************************
> Idea for Mid-Pacific Institute's Open Source in Education Initiative,
hereby
> referred to as OSEI.
>
> One big part of the OSEI will be building Linux thin client computer labs
> for schools, because they are low cost but highly effective.  Something
that
> would really help is donations of old Pentium machines, keyboards, mice
and
> monitors.  I could post this announcement to local technology mailing
lists,
> and maybe ads in the newspaper asking for donations of old Pentium PC
> equipment.  Linux thin clients are probably the cheapest and most
effective
> use of these machines.
>
> (Another good use of these machines are dedicated Linux firewalls for
> small/medium sized schools.)
>
> The advertisements would contain:
> 1) Request for low end, obsolete Pentium class boxes, keyboards, mice, and
> monitors (optionally speakers).
> 2) Request volunteers to help put this hardware into schools.
> This would be a great opportunity for many students to receive basic
> training in Linux, hardware and networking.  There will be many donated
> machines that will need to be cleaned up, refitted and configured as Linux
> thin clients.
>
> 25 donated clients + $5,000 for refit costs, server, ethernet switch and
> cables -- You got yourself a brand new, low maintenance, and useful school
> computer lab.  No costly Windows Terminal Server and CAL licensing, and
> never pay a dime in the future in a forced software upgrade cycle.
>
> What about support?
> These school systems must be maintained.  There are many options
available.
> 1) OSEI can work to strengthen the local Linux volunteer community to
create
> a network of volunteers to help these schools maintain and upgrade their
new
> Linux setups in the future.
> 2) OSEI can help to train students/tech coordinators of these schools to
> administrate these setups themselves.
> 3) Many local consultants are available with affordable maintenance and
> support contracts.
> 4) Large companies like IBM, Dell, Red Hat, Turbolinux have with
> Pay-per-Incident support if urgent help is needed.
>
> Warren Togami
> warren at togami.com
>