Hello all,

I just thought I would send a very informal, casual invitation to
those of you who like to dabble with Free/Libre/OpenSource Software
to help out at BWorks. BWorks "provides opportunities for at-risk
youth to develop their academic, vocational, and entrepreneurial
skills, and to become community leaders." The ByteWorks division of
BWorks takes older computers, refurbishes them, and gives them to
youth (4th-8th grade) who have gone through the Earn-a-Computer program.

ByteWorks is looking for volunteers that are familiar with Free/Libre/
OpenSource Software and that are willing to ...

* train other volunteers (e.g. cloning, installing, troubleshooting,
teaching)
* triage hardware (e.g. HDDs, modems, RAM, sound)
* explore other Linux distros and FLOSS software (e.g. {Edu,Xu,Ku,U}
buntu, FC5)
* teach kids (e.g. FireFox, OOo, KDE/Gnome, KTurtle)
* help run the shop (e.g. sell machines/parts/services, solicit
donations, etc.)

ByteWorks is also looking for donations of ...

* computers (300+ MHz x86, 128+ MB RAM, 4+ GB HDDs)
* monitors (15+ inch)
* modems (prefer those that work with Linux)
* spare parts for building complete systems
* money to purchase parts that are not frequently donated (e.g.
modems that work with Linux).

Currently, the students are using Debian/Sarge systems to learn
everything from browsing the Internet with FireFox, to creating
documents and presentations with OpenOffice.org, to learning a bit
about programming with KTurtle. In fact, we sent 10 kids home with
Debian/Sarge machines at the end of the last sessions a few weeks
ago. In addition, ByteWorks is building its IT infrastructure using
FLOSS, e.g. IPcop for its firewall and Knoppix for cloning drives and
triaging equipment.

If you are interested in helping out, please do drop by. Also, if
you know of anyone who may be interested in volunteering or donating,
please let them know about ByteWorks. BWorks is open on Saturdays
from 10am-2pm and is located in the Shaw neighborhood of Saint Louis,
just East of the Botanical Garden, at 4100 Shenandoah Ave[2]. In
addition to its location in real space, ByteWorks has an on-line
forum for discussing technical topics[3], which is available as an
RSS feed[4] and is archived[5].

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me
(robert.citek@...) or ask on the shop list[3].

Thanks in advance for your help and hope to see you soon at the shop
or on-line.

[1] http://stlouis.missouri.org/bworks/
[2] http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4100%20Shenandoah%20Ave%2063110
[3] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bworks_shop/
[4] http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/bworks_shop/rss
[5] http://www.mail-archive.com/bworks_shop@yahoogroups.com/
maillist.html

Regards,
- Robert
robert.citek@...