Location(s)

Get more mileage out of your Halloween costume:

Saturday November 1

Ubuntu 8.10 Release Costume Party

"INTREPID IBIX"

Location/time TBA

Location(s)

Fundamentals of Linux - A power users introduction: PART ONE OF A THREE PART SERIES

WHEN: Wed. Oct. 22 6:30-8:30pm

WHERE: Free Geek, 1820 Pandora St. (back door)

*no registration required*

This series of lectures is intended for the technically interested newcomer to Linux who is interested in better understanding his/her system.  Topics to be discussed include the concepts of Unix, device naming, file systems, system file structure, runlevels, the boot process, privilege separation, shells & scripting, package management and networking.  

Through these lectures you will better understand your Linux operating system and basic system administration.  These lectures will be based entirely at the console, no graphical shells will be used (goodbye desktop!).  Each lecture will include a Q&A section as the participants desire.

Although we will use Ubuntu as the system to be discussed, the subject matter will apply to any Linux distribution.

NOTE: This workshop will be presentation-style, so registration is *not* required for this workshop. You may wish to bring a laptop, or a pen/paper.

Free Geek is almost entirely volunteer-based; in fact, we have over 400 volunteers. You don't need computer experience; we'll teach you everything you need to know. If you have skills, that's great too!

HOW DO I START?

All volunteers are required to complete an orientation before they start volunteering. Orientations happen at Free Geek Wednesday and Saturday at 4pm and take about 30 min. Please arrive at our phone desk by 4:00 so we can start on time. You don't need to phone ahead for an orientation; just show up.

WHEN CAN I VOLUNTEER?

Aside from the orientation, our volunteer hours are 1-6pm, Tues-Sat. You will be able to volunteer when it's convenient for you; just let us know so we can put you on the schedule. You don't have to volunteer the same day all the time, or a set number of hours per month. We're flexible, and just happy you want to help out.

HOW DO I GET A FREE COMPUTER?

If you need a computer, you can get into our Computer Adoption Program. Basically, after you accumulate 24 hours of time helping out at Free Geek, you get a free refurbished desktop computer (system, monitor, mouse, keyboard). We call this computer a GeekBox; it will be running Ubuntu Linux and come with all the programs you need to do most everything. We also give you a class on how to use it, as well as ongoing technical support. Just let us know at your orientation that you want to be enrolled in the Adoption Program.

Please note that you can't volunteer for parts. Adoption computers are standard desktop systems only; we are unable to customize them. If there are additional things you need (like a printer, or more RAM, etc) you will get a discount in the Computer Thrift Store. (Please note: laptops cannot be adopted as we don't get enough for everyone to have one.)

I WANT TO VOLUNTEER BUT I DON'T NEED A COMPUTER.

That's great! Just let us know at your orientation. We'll still keep track of your hours for our statistics.

WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO?

There are a wide variety of things we need help with. No computer experience is necessary. If you have computer skills we can certainly use your help as well.

Priorities change from day-to-day at Free Geek. But we need regular help testing, sorting, dismantling and refurbishing equipment, dealing with incoming gear, as well as some administrative work and organising. Believe it or not, many of these activities can be done by people new to computers, with a little support.

Most importantly, we need you to have fun while you're here! We have a wide variety of people at Free Geek, with different strengths, backgrounds and abilities. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding accessibility.

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS!

Location(s)