Re: [Computerbank] the special case of Tassie

[Bruce McCubbery <brucemcc@melbpc.org.au>]

Good morning Terry and all,

For your information Terry, I've been around Computerbank in Victoria since
almost its inception here. I treat Linux like a religion that works well
for the needy, but I can take it or leave it. I can't fix my car or
understand its workings but I have one and think everyone in Australia
should have one, whether it is a Holden or Ford or Toyota or whatever
doesn't concern me.

Your advice is gratuitous, ignorant and offensive. You've tried it on
before, leave off. I mention I don't belong to your 'religion' and you
attack me, take a good look at your thin skin.

Let's both work in our own ways for the people who cannot afford to buy
their own computers. My comment about the three bush places that have been
forced to go their own ways without being able to source Linux help near
enough is just a fact. I'm convinced however that there are Linux experts
near enough to them to have been able to help them, we weren't able to find
them, that's all.

Creating country branches of Computerbank in places too far from a capital
city can be done, if only that discover-a-local-Linux-expert problem is
solved. It's not my religion but I accept this is the right way to go, I've
met enough friendly and committed Linux-devoted people to know and accept
that.

The bush has had to do many of the things it does on its own, the model for
doing that is well established. Taking donated computers and distributing
them to locals on the other side of the digital divide is a concern in
almost every country community, it's not just a city thing. Adding in the
knowledge of Linux to everything else they can do otherwise is the missing
piece.

As is patently clear, I don't understand anything about Linux or the Linux
groups, do you think I'm right that there are Linux people "out there" in
rural and remote Australia from your experience?

If not, then all of what I have been trying to do is indeed a dead duck,
and I'll take your advice and do something else.

Thank you for giving me the chance to say this.

.. Bruce

At 08:42 4/01/02 +1100, Terry Collins wrote:
>Just my 2c.
>
>Well, you had better learn to like it, because it is an essential part
>of this organisation.
>
>Take a deep breath sunshine - it is like pregnancy - it doesn't matter
>how many men are involved, it still takes 9 months to produce a baby.
>Likewise, it is going to take time to distribute computers PROPERLY. We
>are all volunteers and computerbank comes after a lot of other things in
>our lives. I ration ONE day a month to Computerbank.
>
>The truth is that many more computers will be junked than we can ever
>deal with.
>
>This "all" is totally unrealistic. It depends on people and that is what
>will mean it will not happen because it requires many people in a
>location for it to continue in the long run. Other people have told you
>this, but it doesn't seem to have sunk in.
>
>My polite suggestion is to pull your head in and just help with other
>projects. Extra branches will happen when local people are interested
>and committed. The people Computerbank needs are very wary of getting
>involved in "piss and wind organisations" that talk big and don't have
>the runs on the board. We need the existing branches to do stuff and
>complete projects, which will attract other people and lead to more
>branches.
>
>Slow growth is good growth.
>
>...snip....
>
>Who cares? Get used to it. I'm not here to make Microsoft richer. If MS
>operating systems are involved, then I want to be paid.
>
>If people want to be lazy idiots, then that is their problem. I do give
>away computers with other OS's on them, but it is strictly once off and
>"I don't support this crap, so don't call me" message. And, I only give
>them to people who have other people that can help them.
>
>90% of my business calls are cheap bastards with MS problems who, after
>offering to pay, don't really want to pay what it is worth to fix it.
>
>Choosing Linux is a way to weed out the people who are prepared to put
>the effort in and learn about computers. Effort that is required no
>matter what operating system is installed.
>
>Finally, you don't know much about hardware if you are suggesting we
>distribute MS OS's. Firstly, most of the hardware I've seen donated to
>Computerbank will not run the currently distributed MS OS's. That's
>right, MS no longer sell/support WFWG/Win3.11 or Win95 and you need a
>P200+ to consider Win98. (replies - don't bother = think ram).
>
>Secondly, go and read the MS licensing conditions - and check your
>interpretation with Microsoft. Old licenses are just not transferrable.
>
>Thirdly, the MS charity donations will not go far - remember that paltry
>figure has to be shared world wide with software valued at FULL price.
>
>Linux is free and good. Linux is better than MS OS's. Linux will run on
>a lot more hardware, than MS OS's, which means we can RE-USE more
>computers.
>
>-- 
>   Terry Collins {:-)}}} 

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