Fresh Ubuntu

Hi, this is Tim and I am happy to be able to help out with Harlem’s great podcast.

I live and work in Portland Oregon and for the last few weeks I kept hearing about this place called Free Geek. It sounded like some kind of Linux computer store, so this last Friday I went to investigate. Free Geek at www.freegeek.org and located at 1731 SE 10th Ave Portland, OR 97214.

The Free Geeks takes the Ubuntu philosophy and run with it. They are a non-profit organization geared to take used computers and other technology and reuse or recycle them. They see two major problems with the manufacturing cycle of modern technology. First, the life expectancy of a computer today is very short, and this contributes to a large amount of waste. Free Geek seeks to revitalize and reuse old computers by installing Ubuntu, or responsibly recycle computer parts they can’t reuse. Second, the constant obsolescence promotes a digital divide between those who can afford new computers and those who can’t.

Free Geek’s solution is to refurbish computer bound for the landfill and get them to lower income people. People can buy these refurbish Ubuntu machines but they can also volunteer and get a computer in exchange for their efforts.
If you live in the Portland area swing by and have a look the tours are Tuesday through Saturday starting at noon and 6pm lasting 30-minutes or so.

Some notes on the podcast
Harlem and I are talking about doing a field podcast from Free Geek and would like to know if any listeners have questions they would like us to ask or would like to meet us there? Are there any other places like this in other areas of the country?

Tim