[freegeek-e-newsletter] January FreeGeek E-newsletter

Thu Jan 26 20:56:08 PST 2006

Once again, the Free Geek email newsletter is here!  In your inbox!

If you'd like to stop receiving this newsletter, please scroll down to the 
very bottom of this email and follow the instructions.
Contents:

I. Volunteer of the Month
II. Beautifying Free Geek
III. Ye Olde Forklift
IV. Advanced Build: New Command Line 2 Class
V. Adoption Volunteers Needed
VI. Thanks, Holiday Party Sponsors!
VII. Happenings Around Town
VIII. Wishlist

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I. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Every month, we recognize one volunteer for all he or she has done for Free
Geek.  This month's recipient is:

Pete Forsyth!

Long-time volunteer Pete has been working hard at Free Geek.  He's
specifically interested in driving some big improvements in outreach and
education.  If you've heard anything about our new press kit, outreach video,
or upgrades in our documentation, Pete's likely the one behind it.  He sees
the big picture and works to make his changes fold seamlessly into our
existing operations.  He's a big motivator, and we like him!

Thanks, Pete!

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II. BEAUTIFYING FREE GEEK

January tends to be a big month for hardware donations at Free Geek.  This
January was no exception.  If you've been by lately, you may notice that the
place seems even more chaotic than normal.  We're also taking in more
donations and recycling more hardware than ever.

In response to this state of affairs, some volunteers and staff members at
Free Geek are creating a plan to beautify the facility.  This plan will
include upgrading the building in all sorts of ways, from painting and
drywall repair to clearing clutter to increasing signage.  If you're
interested in helping, look for workparty announcements in coming
newsletters!

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III. YE OLDE FORKLIFT

Sadly, our dear 12-year-old forklift, the L-Wing Fighter, is coming to the
end of its life.  It's often riddled with mechanical issues these days, so
much so that we're currently temporarily renting a replacement.

For those of you who haven't been to the recycling area of Free Geek lately,
we now use our forklift every day.  We fill at least a couple gaylords (the
big, cardboard bins that broken-down parts go into) each day, and they need
to be moved around, stacked, and picked up by industrial computer recycling
companies so we can keep all of our operations moving along smoothly.  The
L-Wing's been a great help this way.

If you know of a company that's looking to rid itself of an old, usable
forklift, and that's perhaps enticed by the prospect of a whopping tax
deduction in exchange for its donation to Free Geek, give us a call!  Also,
if you know of someone who's willing to donate free or low-cost forklift
maintanance to the cause, feel free to contact us.

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IV. ADVANCED BUILD: NEW COMMAND LINE 2 CLASS

Over the course of our Build Program, volunteers learn how to navigate
through the computer without a mouse, using only keyboard commands.  The
command line is a text-only way to interface with a computer, and most
under-the-hood tasks in Linux are accomplished from the command line.  Those
who want to get to the next level with Linux need to learn a bit more about,
and thus become more comfortable with using, the command line.  For this
reason, we're starting to hold regular (as in every month or two) Command
Line 2 Classes.  This class is for those who've been through the Build
Program and learned the basics, but want more.

Here's what Jeff, one of our Command Line 2 teachers, describes the class:

"You've taken the Command Line class. You've QC'd a couple of boxen, and then
you built a few. In the meantime, you've forgotten everything you learned in
Command Line, except (hopefully), tab completion. It's time to learn how it
all works, fits together, and how to make sense of it all."

Free Geek's proud to offer this new class, and we hope volunteers will take
advantage of it.

For the documentation associated with this class, check out
http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Command_Line_2

To sign up for the class, talk to your Build Instructor or Build Coordinator.

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V. ADOPTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Is your current FreekBox sluggish and you want to ramp it up?  Do you know 
someone who needs a computer, but who's short on cash?  

Well, Free Geek's just the place for you and your computer-less friends.  

You probably know about our Adoption Program, but did you know that you're 
eligible to receive one FreekBox per year in exchange for volunteer hours?  
Yup.  It's the truth.  Also true is the fact that we're running a bit low on 
Adoption volunteers these days.  So, come on down and upgrade to a sparkly 
new (er, lovingly rebuilt) FreekBox 3!  To schedule a shift, go ahead and 
call/leave a message: (503)232-9350.

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VI. THANKS, HOLIDAY PARTY SPONSORS!

For a place that alleviates the excesses of the computer industry, Free Geek 
knows how to throw an excessively great party.  This past Holiday Party was 
big on attendees, food, drink, music, dancing, and clean-up.  We'd like to 
thank the following organizations and individuals for helping to make the 
Holiday Party so memorable.

* DJ Tim Kutscha
* The Golden Greats
* Dirk Morgan, awesome all-around person/volunteer
* Jeremy, who set-up, bartended, and cleaned up. Woah.
* Jeff Robinson, donation solicitor extrordinaire
* Ben and Bobby, supply pickup volunteers
* Pabst Blue Ribbon
* Widmer
* New Deal Vodka
* Blind Onion
* Pizza A Go GO
* Vincente's Pizza

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VII. HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN

City Repair Clothing Sale Fundraiser
January 28th and 29th 10-4pm
2126 SE Division St.

City Repair is having their fabulous clothing sale! This Saturday and Sunday, 
you'll find oodles of used clothing for men and women, priced from $1-3.  All 
items have been hand chosen by savvy fashionistas, and include shoes, coats, 
belts, and other accessories.  March into spring with some new duds!

Also, the Clothing Sort people still need volunteers to help with setup (Fri. 
evening from 5-9pm), refresh setup (Sat. 4-5pm), and breakdown (Sunday 
4-6pm).  Volunteers ALWAYS get to cherry pick :)

Call or email for volunteering or questions: jenn_brenner at yahoo.com, 
503-290-4730

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Waste Not Recycled Material Art Competition

For all of you crafty reusers out there.  Art submissions must be made of at 
least 75% reused materials.  Judges will select the best pieces to place in a 
silent auction, in which the artist receives 50% of the selling price and 
local non-profit SCRAP and venue Disjecta receive the rest.  

Submissions are due by February 13th, so get crackin'!

For more information, visit http://wastenotart.com

**********************************************
Wintertime Palm Tree Ride
Sunday, February 5th
11am - approx. 2pm (slow ride, lots of stops)
Starting at Ladd's Circle Park, SE Harrison St at SE 16th Ave

The Wintertime Palm Tree Ride is a bicycle ride passing by the multitude of 
palm trees and other tropical and evergreen vegetation growing in the city, 
plus all the fun factoids that the Urban Adventure League is known for.  Why 
go on the ride?  Because winter in Portland really isn't as bad as some 
people make it out to be! This ride is a way to prove it!

To learn more about the event, visit: 
http://portland.craigslist.org/eve/125644087.html

For more about the Urban Adventure League, go to:
http://urbanadventureleague.blogspot.com/

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VIII. WISHLIST

You might not know it, but many of our basic supplies (like printer paper and
TP) are donated to us by individuals with big hearts and a few extra dollars
in their wallets (or good scavenging skills!).  We'd very much appreciate
donations of any of the below:

- A forklift
- Band-aids
- Herbal tea for the cold season
- Simple Green general spray cleaner
- Cream and sugar for coffee
- Dry Erase Markers
- Hand towels
- 8.5" x 11" single-sheet white printer paper (100% post-consumer
  recycled, if possible)
- Food and drink for volunteers (especially chocolate)
- Locking cabinets (with keys, please!)
- Big hugs!

As a quick and easy alternative, we welcome your online monetary donations.
Just visit https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?freegeek to contribute
to Free Geek online.

** A big thanks to longtime volunteer Berkeley Fisher for sponsoring our TP
and dish soap purchases.  Thanks to him, we'll be able to buy the
environmentally friendliest products for our staff and volunteers! **

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Ha!  You've made it to the end of another Free Geek newsletter.  As a reward
(or punishment, depending on your point of view), here's a parting joke:

There are 2 cookies in an oven. One says to the other, "It's getting really 
hot in here!" the other says, "Wow! A talking cookie!"

(heh.)

In our next newsletter, look for our 2005 annual report.

See you then,

Shawn Furst
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Free Geek
1731 SE 10th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
(503)232-9350
info at freegeek.org
http://www.freegeek.org

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