Linux Laptop Project at Nonprofit Technology Resources (NTR)

Team Members (add your name and task)

Tasks can be any of the following:

• Global_Hacker: one who helps repair laptops and installs linux anywhere/anytime
• Home_Hacker: one who helps repair laptops and installs linux from their home
• Distributor: one who drops off laptops to the Home_Hackers
• Yacker: can't physically work on the laptops but will provide support via forums, email, and IRC
• Admin: has a variety of tasks that are tbd. first task may be to make a web page for tracking the laptops

Project Overview

NTR (ntronline.org) is having a real problem with their laptop inventory. They have a big room where they keep them and it has become very disorganized. It's so disorganized that they are having a difficult time pushing them out to their thrift store and they can't find parts to fix existing customers' laptops. I told Stan that I think members of the PA LoCo can help. His reply: to let us install Linux on any laptop that cannot accept Win2k. These laptops will then be sold at Stan's thrift store. We hope this will NTR's name out as a distributor of Linux laptops, create a demand, and eventually get NTR into pushing Ubuntu on some higher end desktops/laptops.

Location and Information

[http://ntronline.org NTR Website ] BR [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1524+Brandywine+Street,+19130&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.252269,81.738281&ie=UTF8&ll=39.963257,-75.162728&spn=0.007615,0.019956&z=16&om=1 Directions to NTR]BR [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&om=1&msa=0&ll=39.963364,-75.163683&spn=0.001678,0.004807&z=18&msid=107833541640468485872.00043e436a52866fe16cc Google Map Visuals & Info]

First Meeting

Date: Monday January 19, 2007 BR Time: 12pm to 1pm BR Topic: Meet and Discuss the ProjectBR

1. Tour of the NTR facility
2. Review layout of Laptop Room
3. Talk with NTR Staff about solutions

Phase I of the Project

1. Provide efficient work flow
   1. stations for customer laptop repair
   2. stations for sorting donated laptops and parts
   3. bins / boxes for separating parts / laptops (more below)
2. Locations for sorted laptops
   1. just dropped off but not evaluated
   2. evaluated but not repaired
   3. repaired and paperwork has been completed
3. Requirements for repair stations
   1. static mat
   2. wrist strap
   3. soldering iron
   4. super glue
   5. tools specifically for laptops (tiny screws drivers, pliers, etc.)
   6. functioning PC with internet access to research issues
   7. phone or Skype on PC + headset
4. Parts sorting and separating
   1. known-good parts for laptop repairs (shelf near repair stations)
   2. storage for excessive amounts of parts (power supplies, docking stations, etc)
   3. laptop accessories should be sorted based on laptop models they go with
5. Install Linux on laptops that can't support Windows 2k. Sell at reduced cost to users that know these are Linux PCs and will NOT include software support from NTR.
   1. Definition of poor Win2k support
      1. no drivers for some of the hardware
      2. video only supports default VESA driver
      3. OS and applications run too slow (subjective)
   2. Version of Linux used
      1. old PCs (100 - 300 MHz) can use Puppy Linux or DSL

      2. newer PCs (>300 MHz) can use Xubuntu or Ubuntu