BLU Charity?

[David Kramer]

markw at mohawksoft.com wrote:
> After my post on what to do with old computers, it occurs to me that maybe
> "BLU" as an organization could do some charity work.
> 
> I'm willing to accept that schools and libraries may find it difficult to
> accept computers and donations from average "people," but maybe we can use
> BLU as a way to get rid of our old stuff *and* help our public
> organizations that are typically underfunded. I'm sure not *every* library
> or school would be so refusing of free computers.
> 
> A common distribution, I'm liking kubuntu these days, but we should put it
> to a vote.
> 
> Come up with a minimum computer spec. Strip lesser machine for parts and
> recycle.
> 
> Find a school or library that actually *wants* help.
> 
> Have an "install fest" where we setup and test all the donated P.C.s
> 
> Have a second install fest with members who can go on site and set them up.
> 
> If successful, do it again!!!
> 
> What do you think?

You, know, every now and then, someone on BLU says "Hey, Kids!  Let's 
put on a show!", and it's invariably some huge effort that's totally 
underestimated by the poster.  And I'm saying this as someone who 
started a business and ran it (with two partners) for a few years.

Just to throw out a few issues off the top of my head:
- We get maybe 40-50 people to our meetings every month.  How many 
people are you going to get to do assembly line work?
- Where would we do it?  A non-profit business is still a business, and 
needs to take place in a building zoned for business, so now you have 
high regular expenses.
- Did you read the boingboing article?
- Who'se going to do the boring jobs like marketing and mail processing?
etc.

Let me suggest an alternative.  We would have a much higher chance of 
success partnering with one or more existing non-profits.  For instance, 
in the past we've done InstallFests with Technology for Social Change 
(http://tecschange.org/)

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