Two Great Kid-Friendly Linux Projects
The Helios Project is part of the Ken Starks Linux Advocacy Empire. You might recall some of Ken's more famous projects such as the Tux500 and Lindependence 2008. Lindependence inspired a number of similar events, and meanwhile Ken and his hardy crew continue with their core work, which is building Linux computers for children and families who can't buy their own computers.
Both projects are the best and most difficult advocacy, the kind that requires intensive hands-on and face-to-face teaching and work. There are no shortcuts for all the time and effort required. Please consider hitting their donation links and sending them a few bucks, and if possible donate some of your own time and expertise.
Please also post in the Comments any organizations that you think are worthy, and that offer opportunities for Linux geeks who want to lend a hand. Or flipper, as the case may be.
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The Boy Scouts have a computer merit badge that anyone with computer experience can become a merit badge counselor. This is a great way to introduce FOSS as the requirements are product agnostic.
I'm working on setting up a computer lab for my son's Boy Scout troop. We live in Detroit and not everyone can afford a new PC or the latest software. So, the lab will be using donated PCs and FOSS. I'm especially looking forward to introducing FOSS to some of the inner city kids that can not afford to upgrade to Vista or the latest hardware/software. Hopefully, they will take a CD or DVD back home to use.
I would encourage everyone to get in contact with their local Boy or Girl Scout council and lend a hand.
We're in the beginning stages of launching an open source project at my daughter's school (7th-12th grades). One of our many goals is to help girls become more excited about technology, and one way we've decided to do that is to collect enough new and used laptops for each kid to use. All the laptops will run open source programs, and the students will help in the process of collecting the computers and setting them up (install fests). We hope that in the near future, the students will feel confident enough with their new skills to go out and volunteer within the community to help other people/groups get more familiar with what open source has to offer.
The school board and teachers are really enthusiastic about the project, particularly now that they are seeing how many cool programs are freely available and how many technical people in our community are excited about helping out.