Lawrence Freenet

[Bradley Hook]

Have you contacted Lawrence Freenet to ask if they have considered 
alternatives to Windows? It's amazing how so many people, even a few 
"techies", don't have any clue that anything else exists.

~Bradley

Leo Mauler wrote:
> Lawrence Freenet is going city-wide on March 1st.
> 
> http://www.lawrencefreenet.org/
> 
> They use wireless networking to cover Lawrence in
> Internet service, though you can currently only attach
> to the service through a wireless-to-wired conversion
> box.  They have plans for free WiFi in Downtown
> Lawrence.  Home service costs between $20 and $35 a
> month, installation is $200 to $0 (depending on length
> of contract), though low-income families meeting their
> income guidelines can receive free Internet service
> with free installation.
> 
> Part of the program involves handing out a free
> computer to low-income families, often the same ones
> who are receiving the free Internet service.  I'm
> suspicious from the costs charged to paying Internet
> subscribers (as well as the installation fees and
> contract lengths) that someone has gone all-Windows in
> the choice of operating system.  
> 
> The free computers are all donated legacy systems, put
> together by volunteers.  Software choices (in addition
> to bureaucratic costs) could be a major factor in
> increasing the Lawrence Freenet's costs in their free
> computer program.  From links on the Lawrence Freenet
> website, their choices appear to be Microsoft Windows
> and Microsoft Office.  Since the major backer is UNI
> Computers (http://www.unicomputers.com/) and they make
> their money off services to Windows users, I'm
> thinking that the money-saving benefits of Linux
> aren't being used.
> 
> Since the broadband connection is a wireless-to-wired
> conversion box, there will be no issues with Linux
> wireless NICs as the only connection required is a
> wired NIC.  Develop the system appropriately and most
> home users won't notice the difference, though to make
> things easier donating a CUPS compatible printer as
> well would be appropriate.
> 
> I tried to join KULUA to talk to them about it, but
> I'm still waiting on list approval.
> 
> 
> 
>  
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