==== Welcome To "Kids Without" ==== This organization was founded in Helena, MT on Oct. 3, 2006 with one simple goal in mind. To provide computers to families who can't afford them while recycling used computer hardware which is donated directly to the organization, collected by other organization like [[http://www.savemobile.org/|SaveMobile]], [[http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~SRC_google~LID_VoCc7iDRbm%2Fe4rY0+yeLGQ%3D%3D.htm |Good Samaritan Thrift Stores]], [[http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/schools/elementa/smithele/index.dhtm | Smith Elementary School]], [[http://tempesttech.com/| Tempest Technologies]], [[http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Salvation+Army/S-MT/T-Helena/| Salvation Army]] or purchased on the organization behalf. We would like to give a special thanks to [[http://www.northwesternenergy.com/showitem.aspx?M=2&I=526| NorthWester Energy]] who has donated 100's of machines to our cause! Thank you Jan and all the folk you work with for being an advocate of our environment and our children. :-) === Our Goals === Our over all goal is to collect, create, and distribute as many educational computers as possible for the Helena Montana community. Our 2007 goal is 35. (Met Goal 6/5/2007 with 38 machines already donated!) Our 2006 goal was 10 and we delivered 13! Thank you for helping us meet our goal! :-) === Are these machines really FREE? === Yes. The hardware has been donated or bought for you to educate your children and your family. The operating system [[http://linux.org| Linux]] and all the software is licensed as [[http://opensource.org|open source]] which means it's free. The people @ "Kids Without" are simply collectors, testers, cd burners and distributers of your machines; whos time is donated in hope of making a difference. === What can you really do w/ this old hardware? === You would be suprised.... After testing the hardware we pop in our custom CD based on [[http://edubuntu.org|edubuntu]].... Then when the system boots.... The machine is tested by my kids and if it passes this [[check list|check list]] it's ready to be distributed.... :-) Here is a user guide from the wonderful team @ [[http://www.edubuntu.org/UsingEdubuntu|edubuntu]] which makes this all possible! Thanks guys and gals keep up the great work! If the "Kids Without" machine has a hardware failure the receiver is put on a list for a new machine and given a one when it becomes available. We do our best to work closely with local recyclers to make sure broken hardware is disposed of properly. Thanks to the great folks @ [[http://www.savemobile.org/|SaveMobile]] === Who has received these machines to date and are there machines available? === Here is a ([[available machine list|available machine list]] * [[delivered list |delivered list]] * [[waiting list|waiting list]]).... === What instructions do I get with my new machine? === Here are the [[http://kidswithout.homelinux.net/misc/KidsWithout-QA.pdf|instructions]]. Here is the [[http://kidswithout.homelinux.net/misc/questions.pdf|questionnaire]] you get through Helena Housing. Here is the [[http://kidswithout.homelinux.net/misc/request-form.pdf|request form]] you get through Helena Housing. === Is there training for those who recieve these machines? === Once a month there will be a brief 30 min presentation followed by Q&A on these valuable machines... Ask about the sessions when you donate, request or pick-up a machine... === Can adults use these machines? === Ofcourse.... These machines are equipted with a very powerful [[http://www.abisource.com/|word processor]] and [[http://www.gnome.org/projects/gnumeric/|spreadsheet]] as well as educational tools for a variety of fields including typing, chemistry, astronomy and physics. === Can teachers get these machines for the classroom? === You bet.... Just tell us your a teacher and where when you call. === So what are the min. hardware required for "usable" machines? === We'll take working monitors, keyboards, mice, printers and CPU's that have > 128 Mb RAM, CD ROM Drives, Pentuim II processors or better. Newer 64 bit machines, and laptops are all welcome!!! Sorry no macs... === Why don't the machines you distribute have hard drives? === This is done because of privacy reasons for those recycling and because the machines run the "live" version of our CD which runs completly from the CD-ROM... This turns the machine into a applicance and removes concerns of "mis-configuration", "re-configuration", viruses, worms and makes it 2 yr old proof... ;-) Just turn it off and start again! The lack of a network connection means that your children can't get into things on the Internet without you knowing (porn, chatrooms, myplace, etc).... No safe gaurds need because it's just not possible w/ the base line machines we provide. === Can the computers be used to get on the Internet? === Sure thing... If you buy the connection... Kids Without's goal is to build stand alone machines... But if you want more on networking and installing edubuntu on a hard drive your on your own.... You can look here for starters: *[[http://www.edubuntu.org/FAQ| FAQ]] *[[http://www.edubuntu.org/GettingStarted|Getting Started]] === I'm having problems with the CD... What should I do? === First check the [[cd-faq|CD FAQ]].... If your still having problems just email === Can I make my own "Kids Without" machine? === Yep... [[http://kidswithout.homelinux.net/iso/|ISO images ready to burn]] (current version is named "iceberg") Or just follow these [[Build notes|build notes]] and other [[tech notes|tech notes]] to roll your own. === What are you doing @ Helena Middle School (HMS)? === [[After School Class Details|After School Class Details]] === What work @ Kids Without still needs to be done? === [[ToDo List|ToDo List]] === How can I help the Kids Without or the edubuntu effort? === [[kcolussi@gmail.com | Kids Without Contact]] [[http://wiki.edubuntu.org/EdubuntuWiki | Edubuntu Wiki]] === How do I get one of these educational machines? === Just email or call us to get on the list (406-443-2063).... === Where can I donate my hardware or contact "Kids Without"? === 2010 E 6th Ave Helena, MT (406-443-2063)