How Can Techies Give Back? 85
KReilly asks: "As the school year starts back up for me, I have been looking for a volunteer program I could work in. This year I have been considering creating my own non-profit organization, but I still lack a clear picture of what I hope to accomplish. I have read about communities wiring classrooms for the internet in California, and repairing computers donated by businesses for schools. I would like to do this, but find many schools and libraries would deny this donation since its maintenance would be too big of an investment for them and they do not want to experiment with Open Source alternatives that would lower the PC repair cost. So my question to you is how do you, as a tech, give back to society and aid in social programs? And, any information/advice you wanted to share on my original idea would be much appreciated."
Lots of things (Score:5, Insightful)
Volunteer at the soup kitchen.
Donate unused stuff to Goodwill.
Offer your time to the old-folks home.
Pick up litter in your neighborhood.
Give money to the Salvation Army.
Offer to read to children in the hospital.
Drop a few dimes into a homeless person's cup.
Buy a couple dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for your coworkers.
Start a community watch program in your neighborhood.
There are so many things you can do that do not necessarily require technology. These things are easier to give and easier to receive because people in need do not always have the means to support technological donations. It's the human touch that is important in charity.
Re:Lots of things (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Lots of things (Score:1)
Re:Lots of things (Score:3, Insightful)
huh? (Score:4, Insightful)
What Open Source software packages are going to lower the repair costs of a PC?
Re:huh? (Score:1)
Re:huh? (Score:2)
Not only that, but their card catalog software's most likely either web based or runs only on Windows - either way, it costs them nothing to stay with Windows.
Re:huh? (Score:1)
Re:huh? (Score:2)
And you're assuming "competent admins" in a public library with no dedicated IT staff - not very likely.
Re:huh? (Score:2)
Re:huh? (Score:2)
Diskless PCs cost less! (Score:2)
Imagine how easy PC support would be if you never
hmm (Score:1, Flamebait)
Are you patient? (Score:5, Interesting)
If you are, go to a retirement community and teach seniors how to use computers to access the Internet (mail and web). You will be bowled over by how thankful they are and how excited it makes some of them.
Re:Are you patient? (Score:2)
Rest in Peace Uncle Eddie.
(whispers in the back)
Ahem, do you have something to add, Mr
Yea, I was just saying too bad he died so soon in life, poor rascal almost had a firm grasp of the whole 'double click' vs 'single click' concept.
-:-
If you are going to teach, teach kids.
Re:Are you patient? (Score:3)
If you are going to teach, teach kids.
I *completely* disagree with you! To say that elderly individuals should not be taught due to their age is appalling. It's not just about giving people skills so that they can give us some sort of economic return later -- it's about improving quality of life. To allow elderly individuals that have little or no mobility to more fully take part in the larger community via the internet is to unshackle them from bodies that may have pretty much abandoned them. Maybe
Re:Are you patient? (Score:2)
Then again if you are going to do the old people justice, don't bother trying to teach them anything - learn from them. Let them teach you, draw from their history, wisdom, experience and knowledge. It would be a LOT more rewarding to them at the end of the day to know that they passed on their knowledge and wisdom to someone that was going to carry it forward, than to learn how to surf the Internet. In sharing
Re:Are you patient? (Score:2)
Actually this would be a good idea if instead of trying to teach them computer literacy (which would be a waste) or surfing the web (another waste)
Everquest
Flight Simulators (good ones)
Pr0n - and not the tame stuff either, dig out your personal private reserve of the good stuff.
NASCAR, including the Logitech wheel / pedals
WWII based air combat sims
Multi-Player with the other residents would be even better.
You giv
Non-profit organizations (Score:4, Insightful)
Even if these organizations don't need technical help, volunteer your time and encourage friends/coworkers to join you. It won't (or at least, it shouldn't) kill you to walk away from the computer world for a few hours a week.
huh. (Score:4, Insightful)
I don't know about where you live, but I know there's a lot of small non-profit/charity orgs in my neighbourhood (Eastern Canada) that already have some sort of net access. But what they *do* need is help in getting the best out of their often old hardware, or just getting it to work at all.
I'm not talking classrooms (afaik most classrooms around here have access to *paid* staff of some sort, no?) but more like your local literacy council, small library, soup kitchen, women's shelter, yadda yadda ...
They usually have the hardware. What they need is the (open) software, and the training. And then you've just made a difference in their operation, and their life.
be a warm body (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm doing some some office work for my church, and I set up a mysql database to make it easier. Nobody but me knows, or cares, that it takes half the time it did before.
Find the smaller non-profits (Score:4, Interesting)
I found a small homeless youth advocate non-profit that needed a lot of computer help. Since they were small I spoke directly to the Executive Director and convinced her to let me solicit donations for old computers and fix em up. She even gave me a budget for a new computer when I explained I could use 1 server to power the desktop of all these old computers she had. Now they have 3 computers (soon to be six) running FreeBSD with no licensing costs that she can give access to these homeless kids. I networked up the whole place and setup their dsl and firewalled it with some other old computer. She couldn't be happier, but since I was a volunteer and I couldn't find work I had to move back to California to save money. I can do most administration tasks from here (thank god for ssh) but sometimes the dsl modem gets disconnected and I have to walk a kid there through ifconfig down, ifconfig up routine, bleh.
The great thing about this is now that I'm moving back they can help me find work and an apartment since I'll be a homeless youth, YAY!
Re:Find the smaller non-profits (Score:3, Interesting)
This is exactly the sort of approach you should take, KReilly. Thinking "This year I have been considering creating my own non-profit organization, but I still lack a clear picture of what I hope to accomplish." is putting the cart before the h
Check with CityCares (Score:1, Informative)
Simple (Score:2)
I try to stay employed and pay my taxes. Seriously. That's it. I've done the giving back bit and I got sick of the waste, people working the system, watching my organizations get ripped off (how desperate do you have to be to steal from a church or a volunteer organization?) and especially the inevitable volunteer vs. paid staff battles.
The only other thing I do today is help with the kids at my church, but that's because I can't
Re:Simple (Score:2)
No, you haven't. Taxes are an obligation, not a charitable donation. You owe this money.
While I understand your point, since some portion of taxes are supposedly directed to help the less fortunate, because their payment is required, the principle is effectively, "You owe those who earn less than you simply because you earn more".
That is not charity, that is theft.
Charity comes from a desire to help others wh
Re:Simple (Score:2)
If 60% of my income wasn't being STOLEN in the form of taxes, I could probably afford to give a lot more to charity. How's that?
Re:Simple (Score:2)
BRAVO!
Unfortunately, so many think that paying their "fair share" of taxes means that the collection of taxes is somehow legitimate, and not theft. Arguing against this on principle will prove difficult.
Therefore, to get people to wake up and see the lie, one has to attack the system by exposing it's hypocricy. Then perhaps, the moral bancruptcy can be exposed as well.
But,
CEO says do it or no raise.. (Score:1, Interesting)
Not bad enough, your sys-admins work 60 hours a week, have no life, and get to spend 1 day with the wife and kiddies, they have to spend their day off ripping out bushes at a fish spawning lake, so some CEO gets t
How can techies give back? (Score:1)
Volunteer with NPower (Score:4, Informative)
We also match volunteers with nonprofits that need help and don't want/can't pay consulting rates.
I don't know where you are, but there are 9 NPowers nationwide [check our site] plus a number of "sister" organizations of ours do similar work in cities we don't have a presence in, like Compumentor [compumentor.org] in San Francisco.
Check us out. Also check out N-TEN [nten.org], a national membership organization of nonprofit technical assistance providers.
Re:Volunteer with NPower (Score:1)
We're always looking for teaching assistants to lend a few hours a day to help with classes. It certainly helps if they have techinical backgrounds as our classes cover HTML, VB, ASP, and Networking.
If you're in the Seattle area, and want to volunteer please check out the website.
Re:Volunteer with NPower (Score:3, Informative)
If you are in a U.S. city there is probably also a non-profit organization that essentially finds volunteers for other non-profits. Here in Seattle it is called Seattle Works [seattleworks.org] and there are a bunch of them throughout the U.S. that are all related [citycares.org]. They are a good sou
Given the nature of the tech industry (Score:4, Funny)
1. Buy raman noodles and mountain dew.
2. Donate to someone at the local lug.
3. Nonprofit!
Consider creating a company. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Consider creating a company. (Score:2)
Lets see here, use some pretend numbers and see where they lead us
CEO earns $1M a year - that is about $500 an hour.
VP earns $200,000 a year, about $100 an hour.
Instead of spending 8 hours a month (2 hours each Saturday) doing menial labor, pool 8 hours worth of salary each for a total of $
Re:Consider creating a company. (Score:2)
how about really bridging the digital divide (Score:4, Interesting)
/
I'm one of the many dot com layoffs. I returned to school to finish my degree. In doing so, I've been getting by as a contract programmer. It's not stable so I've had to pick up some side work. However, most non-tech businesses won't even touch me. Ever try getting a job at a wal-mart when your last salary was twice the store manager. I tend to water down my background on those applications, but they won't even look at me. So, I've been working some pretty ugly labor-intensive temp work. My co-workers (and bosses) are severely uneducated. I'm not trying to be arrogant. It's just a fact. A couple of them are quite bright, but they never applied themselves.
For instance, one coworker who I've become friends with is a perfect example. He has quite a bit of street smarts. I think he has a lot of potential. He even had a chance to go to college on a football scholarship. However, he somehow has it pounded into his head that school is impractical or completely unnecessary. (Of course given the state of urban American high schools.....) All of his plans are nothing but a bunch of get rich quick schemes. They also have a fair amount of holes in them as well. I think he also had trouble in school. However, he's been taking classes at a local community college and his grades have vastly improved.
I'm pretty much a self-taught kind of guy. On the one hand, I think college is somewhat just a piece of paper. However, I realize the relevance of that paper in attaining a job. It's an unfortunate but necessary certification. We live in an age of watered down and proliferated certification. On the other hand, I'm probably more self-educated that the average person. When I was younger I spent quite a bit time acquiring books (on the cheap) on everything from computers, mathematics, physics, etc. I didn't even own a computer as a kid and had a bit of a steep learning curve in my first CS course.
I can only imagine the digital divide is even worse. The guy I mentioned earlier wants to learn about computers. So I'm plan on helping him set up a home network with some older PCs I'm picking up at a local surplus auction. I'll introduce him to Linux. Maybe I even try to get him to learn a little about electronics and build a radio. Even if he doesn't plan to study CS, Math, or EE etc, hopefully he'll gain some insight in how to solve problems and think in a more analytical way. Hopefully he'll pick up a few job skills as well.
/
Here's my idea. Try finding a community center and teach a class in programming or networking. Not a stupid intro to the web/HTML class. Offer a serious course. Get the students to open up a few machines. Set up a LAN. Throw a LAN party at the end [run Quake if the machines are too old]. Trust me, if you go to a real inner city neighborhood, they probably won't own high-end PCs anyway. Most colleges and gov't agencies sell old PCs in bulk at low rates. DON'T TEACH TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR. Try the Feynman approach. Make it challenging and throw hooks that will catch the interest of your listeners. Raise the standards of the students. Sure, some will get bored, confused, or drop out. However, there will be those one or two students who will get hooked. This is why public schools SUCK in this country. Always lowering the standards to meet the needs of the worst students. Apparently the average EdD hasn't hard of Zeno's Paradox. Let's reduce our education to an infinitesimal level. Great idea!! Anyway, personally I'd love to design a GPL type collection of books to introduce CS.
I just realized that slashdot parsed my XML (Score:1)
Passing up donations (Score:2)
You'll see a lot of this, I'm afraid. It's not just the maintenance issue either... schools have to find room for the new machines, their already-overloaded air conditioning systems (in the south) have to handle the increased heat
Re:Passing up donations (Score:1)
The other issue that that those libraries that don't get computers this way get them via sponsorship arrangements or commercial deals with computer vendors. It's a stupid arrang
Orgs that want geeks (Score:3, Insightful)
NGP Software [ngpsoftware.com]
that said they're looking for programming interns to build a database for Democrats who want to fundraise. Mostly when I hear about tech help needed from anyone doing something social or political, it's pretty small-scale stuff, but these guys look like a big, interesting operation. I assume there are similar orgs. serving other major political parties.
Also, Geekcorps [geekcorps.org] has always looked like a great bunch, if you want to go overseas.
Finally, you mentioned libraries. I volunteered for quite a while just training people to use computers & the internet a few years back. Libraries may be more willing to accept volunteer labor to run community education classes than for stuff like wiring, because the education volunteers aren't giving something with an on-going support cost.
Or, you could always do what I did...decide that programming just doesn't offer the opportunities for volunteer work that you want from your career, and then go to law school (law school being the absolute least pleasant experience under the sun, AFAICT) ;-).
Good Luck.
Computers for Students. (Score:4, Interesting)
That said one thing we have looked at is repairing the computers we ourselves throw away and giving them to needy students. Our main hurdle has been finding the manpower to do this. Try contacting local schools and see if any are trying to do something similar, Or just ask them what they think you can do. Asking is alot easyer and more productive then trying to quess what you can do for them.
Write software (Score:3, Interesting)
If you're interested in helping society at a different level, you could volunteer to make or maintain a web page for some community organization that you support.
Other Organizations. (Score:2)
United Way (Score:2, Informative)
Also look for something like this - Volunteer Twin Cities [volunteertwincities.org]
Teach! (Score:3, Interesting)
I work in one as their sysadmin, and we're constantly looking for people either to maintain the machines here (I'm not full time), or do one to one teaching of the clients in everything from using a mouse, to database design.
It's a great thing for yourself as well... when I started here I assumed I'd just be doing sysadmin, but because people know me, they'll ask me how to do things - and it's turned out to be the best part of the job, since I get the satisfaction of someone knowing something they didn't before.
Find something useful first (Score:4, Interesting)
Maybe I'm a cynic, but when someone days computers in the classroom I respond with why. Nobody has given an answer to that. Classrooms are for learning, and computers are a tool. A computer in every classroom makes as much sense as a hammer in every classroom. A hammer is a useful tool, and your education is incomplete if you don't take one shop class where you use one (in todays world you shouldn't spend much time with it, but shop is at just as important as art, music, and home ecconomics classes - give everyone a basic introduction to the subject and let those who like it take more), but there is no place for a hammer in many classrooms. A computer lab is useful. Perhaps several, because there are useful things to do with a computer in school, and some teachers will require many papers written on the computer.
So your first task is to ask why when you have an idea.
As for ideas: that is up to you. I recomend you stay away from things that need your day job skills. You don't want to get burnt out on the day job. Obviously if things are going to be wired for computers it takes an expert, but try not to burn yourself out.
How about orginizing your local parade, or town days. These commities need a lot of help, and you get to meet people in the comunity useful to know. Is there an orginization that you support? Ducks unlimited [ducks.org] is my favorite, but there is also the EFF, which gets more press on slashdot. As a kid I was in 4-H, and they need help all the time, what groups where you in as a kid? How about local parks? Not the playground, (they might or might not get all the help they need from local taxes), but the state and federal parks that maybe nearby, which generally need more help than they get.
Re:Find something useful first (Score:2)
Re:Find something useful first (Score:1)
When governments are happy to throw money at computers in classrooms but refuse to increase salaries for teachers you have to ask 'what's wrong here?'.
I'm sure that in a decade or so we'll find out that kids who grew up with computers from day 1 will not have the writing, comprehension and reading skills that those who grew up without did.
Computers are needed in schools, but yes you're right, they should be in a lab.
Re:Find something useful first (Score:2)
Giving teachers a raise is not proven to increase quality of teaching. (There is in fact a small number of bad teachers who will stay in teaching if their wage goes up, but some good teachers who will leave if they get more money elsewhere)
The first clue of how good someone will do in school is at home. Parents that don't care about their kids end up with kids that fail, while parents that care end up with kids that pass. In general of course - we can all think of exceptions of the best familys turning
Re:Find something useful first (Score:2)
Maybe I'm a cynic, but when someone days computers in the classroom I respond
with why.
Maybe I'm a cynic, but when someone says books in the classroom I respond with
why. Nobody has given an answer to that. Classrooms are for learning, and books
are a tool. A book in every classroom makes as much sense as a hammer in every
classroom. A hammer is a useful tool, and your education is incomplete if you
don't take one shop class where you use one (in today's world you shouldn't
spend much time with it, but shop is
Re:Find something useful first (Score:2)
Mostly good points, but a few nits:
Everyone knows that publishing an electronic document costs next to nothing. and Availability. If the book is on the net and costs $0 to reproduce, then essentially it becomes available to everyone, and not just those that can afford it. Reproduction costs nothing, but editing still costs. Nobody would publish my works on slashdot on paper. The grammer and spelling are too horrid for that. However it seems that anyone would publish and read them electronicly. Edi
going about it wrong (Score:3)
no single raindrop... (Score:1)
in a good way... heh.
No single electron thinks it is responsible for the power?
Counseling (Score:1)
Teach Teach Teach! (Score:1)
School Districts (Score:4, Insightful)
Over the summer, I did volunteer work for a school district [k12.wi.us]. I started off helping them clean their ~1500 client machines, spread between over 25 buildings. Once that was done, they let me observe/work at one of their new schools, which was being re-modelled. I learned a lot about pulling cable there. Volunteering isn't just about giving....
We have this thing called (Score:2)
Utilize your skillset (Score:2)
Second, figure out what you do best (it sounds like hardware) and find existing local organizations so you can meet like minded people in your area and share ideas/resources. If you don't have anyone doing similar things in your area,
Just build systems (Score:2, Insightful)
To which I'll add a $20 Geforce MX, slap on a pirated version of XP, install a few games like the Sims, Fifa Soccer, Putt-Putt.. and lots and lots of educational software.
I used to also load MS Office but I've been finding that OOo is good enough that I may just go with that in the future.
I'll harden the system as much as possible.. install all the late
Re:Just build systems (Score:1)
Re:Just build systems (Score:1)
I love the quality free stuff, its improving greatly. But I just don't have time to configure/support it for this many users.
some suggestions (Score:4, Informative)
Churches need good techs (Score:1)
-JP
Real communities (Score:2, Interesting)
Websites are the answer... (Score:1)
Besides, you should probably branch out and find some other interests while you're at it. Running a website for something not techie is a great way to do it.
do not start a NFP (Score:1)
Remember that volunteering is not about getting recognition for doing good deads, or a pat on the back. You'll get to meet new people, and learn new skills, and sometimes it will suck and sometimes it will be really rewarding. But also, don'
Do your job (Score:3, Insightful)
So you're a student. Getting an education, even if it's at the country's expense, *is* giving to society. Instead of leaving and sponging, you're seeking to improve your skills, and thus eventually be able to do the above even better. Most societies, if not all, recognise the value of education and know the future lies in that route, even if it does cost a lot of tax$$$. Not educating people has a much greater impact on a society than educating people at that same society's expense. If you really feel you must do volunteer work as well, make sure your first, second, third and fourth priorities are your education and that you cannot possibly do better, then and ONLY then look to do a few hours outside that. You probably have a lot of homework - excel at that, then you can do the volunteer stuff when you're doing a 9-5. Don't underestimate the value of idle time - you need time to recover so that you can do your top priority best.
Consider Tech Consulting or Web/Database Aid (Score:1)
The problem w/ charities is........ (Score:1)
How can techies give back? (Score:1)
very last post, I win again! (Score:1)