Back when TCmaker was meeting in coffee shops the people that wanted to start this free linux computer thing stopped by and we got to know each other. We were going to try to work together but at the early stages of planning that we both were in it just didn’t seem to work out. On Sunday at Handmade Music: Minneapolis one of the members stopped by, turns out they are doing quite well and are called Free Geek.
What is Free Geek Twin Cities?
Free Geek Twin Cities (FGTC) is dedicated to addressing the following issues though direct, local, community-driven action:
* The Digital Divide
* Electronic Waste (eWaste)The Digital Divide and Education
There are still many people in our community that do not have access to computers and the Internet, or do not possess the skills to adequately leverage these technologies. There are many reasons for this gap in our population, but one of our main goals is alleviate this problem through work and education. Volunteers work in programs where they gain skills on how to use, build, and understand computers, and in the process earn a free computer.
Electronic Waste and ReuseWith the rapid growth of technology, our community has created large quantities of electronic waste. FGTC accepts this waste and its first goal is to reuse this material and refurbish it into a new computer to give to volunteers or to sell in our thrift store. It is not always possible to reuse all the materials we get, so we are dedicated to recycling those materials in a way that is both environmentally and socially friendly.
From Free Geek
