Free Geek is almost entirely volunteer-based; in fact, we have almost 2000 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?

No experience is required. All volunteers are required to complete an orientation before they start volunteering. (See the next question)

WHEN ARE VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS HELD?

Orientations happen 3 times per week at Free Geek: Wednesday at 4pm, or Saturday at 2pm or 4pm. The orientation is about an hour long. You don't need to phone ahead for an orientation; just show up. Please arrive on time so that you don't interrupt the tour for others. It's good to give yourself an extra few minutes to find Free Geek the first time :)

WHEN CAN I VOLUNTEER?

Volunteers come in from Tuesday to Saturday. 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 and speakers). 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.

It's important to us to give people get a decent home computer that is fast enough to make their computing experience both fun and worthwhile. You will be able to do the usual things like surf the Internet, do word processing & email, watch movies, edit your photos, make posters and play Solitaire.

Typical GeekBox specifications:

Processor: Pentium IV 2.4 to 2.66 GHz (“GigaHertz”) or higher

512 MB of RAM

Hard drive: 40 GB or so

DVD rom & CD-RW, floppy drive, sound card, video card

Internet ready with network card & modem if required

Comes with: 17” Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers

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.)

If you plan to do video editing or play extreme video games, you'll probably want to consider buying a higher-end system in the Free Geek Thrift Store.  

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.

I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO BUILD COMPUTERS!

That's wonderful! You might want to enroll in the Build Program, where you learn how to build 6 computers (and keep the 6th one for yourself). You'll need to complete the prerequisites for this, which include learning most of the stations at Free Geek. Ask your tour guide for details, or talk to staff once you've started volunteering.  

CAN YOUNG PEOPLE VOLUNTEER?

Free Geek is a great place for free family fun and education! If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult while you're volunteering. Or, if you're in high school, you can get a work experience form from your school's office -- you'll need signatures from the school, a Free Geek staffperson, and your parent/legal guardian. You still have to take the volunteer orientation like everyone else of couse.  

Parents with specific concerns or questions should attend the orientation (with your kids if you like) and speak to staff. 

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. If you would like to contribute skills like programming or teaching, please let us know. 

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!

Free Geek receives donated used computers and refurbishes them with care. They are then "adopted out" to volunteers in exchange for 24 hours of service in our recycling facility. We call this the Computer Adoption Program, and anyone willing to come down and volunteer is eligible to join us and adopt a machine. The computer systems we create, called GeekBoxes, are loaded with the GNU/Linux operating system, called Ubuntu, and other Free Software.

Our use of GNU/Linux enables our computers to run at speeds comparable with newer machines. GeekBox computers come with a wide range of software installed but are primarily designed for word processing and internet use. The GeekBox also comes with a basic class on how to use it. This is a very popular program.

***   FOR MORE INFO ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AT FREE GEEK, CLICK HERE!  ***