[suse-schools-usa] Whoa (Obtaining Hardware)

[tom poe]

Hi, Andy:  Good stuff, here.  May I go through this line by line?  I'll 
preface my comments with an "ANS":


On Thursday 11 April 2002 10:21, Andrew Choens wrote:
> How did your school obtain funding for the computers and what not?  Where
> did this idea originate from?
>
> One problem I've noticed is getting the hardware.  Does your school put
> computers in the classroom or in labs?
>
> What do people think about the pros/cons of dedicated computer labs versus
> computers in every classroom?  With either solution what ratios of
> computers to students have schools managed to achieve?

ANS:  This is an easy one for most people.  One computer, one kid.  Having 
said that, maybe cost has been a factor in the past, leading people to 
knee-jerk some ratio.  However, what I think everyone agrees on, is that 
we're trying to come up with a model that will enable donated computers and 
Open Source software, combined with a mobilized support network, both on-site 
and remotely, that will enable one computer/ one kid to be a reality.

> SuSE and Linux can handle the software side.  That www.seul.org page is
> awesome.  

ANS:  You think that's good, try this one for schools:
http://promo.net/pg/

>So, having said that, perhaps some brainstorming on ways to
> obtain hardware would be constructive.  I've been thinking about the idea
> of approaching local businesses.  Going door to door however doesn't seem
> very constructive. 

ANS:  This is untested so far, but give me a week, and I'll have a better 
idea.  The strategy is to contact IT directors throughout the community.  Ask 
for an informational interview about putting computers in schools, and their 
opinions and advice, with a 15 min time-slot.  This puts you in front of the 
IT Director, who also can champion the hardware problem on your behalf.  
Sounds good to me, and I've already started a tally sheet, "Companies that 
threw me out!", so I can get a good measure of my success.  <grin>    
Remember, it only takes one good resource.  Also, think about this, and tell 
me if I'm on the right track.  I get in front of the IT Director, state my 
case, and indicate I want to mobilize all the IT folks in each company for 
volunteer support teams.  This, my friend, smells a whole lot like some good 
'ol fashioned wholesome competition brewing, what do you think?

 Thus, I came up with a couple of alternatives.  People
> listen to the radio.  Radios like doing community organized projects
> because it makes them look good.  Perhaps they could help get the word out.
>  I've got another idea, but I'm waiting for more information to see if it
> seems feasible.  Anyone else have ideas along thes lines?

ANS:  Man, I don't know how to break into that one.  I'd need some really big 
crayola-type instructions on how to make that happen.

Thanks,
Tom Poe
Reno, NV
http://www.studioforrecording.org/
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
http://renotahoe.pm.org/