Xubuntu

I installed Xubuntu at home yesterday on a spare box! I’m thrilled with how easy I found it. πŸ™‚ I’m going to be using it for the teaching/recycling/giving away computers project I wrote about the other day.

So far I like what I see. I’m not sure how Mozilla Firefox will go on the boxes which I’m going to use for the project I might need to find another browser as Mozilla will possibly be too slow. I’ll find a few games to put on them too.

I’ve been wanting to do this for ages. Previously I haven’t had the time or skills to do it all myself but now it’s all falling into place. Now that there is Xubuntu, which I can install and configure and teach others how to install, I’ve got time to teach and oversee the project and two year 12 students, it’s all happening!

I’m hoping to have about 10 – 15 complete systems to give away. They’ll go to low income families we already work with.

I probably need to come up with a name for this project too. I’m not used to this project management stuff πŸ™‚ It would be good to have a name for the project so that it’s not just called ‘the project’ all the time but also so that ‘others’ know what it’s about. If this goes well I might look at doing it again which will need more donations of hardware, students to do the learning/working and possibly some funding. Any project name ideas greatfully accepted! I’ll ask the first two students (guinea pigs) for name ideas too.

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Google’s April Fool’s Day Joke

I was just reading about Google Romance! very funny! Google says that “When you think about it, love is just another search problem. And we’ve thought about it. A lot. Google Romanceβ„’ is our solution.” So they’ve got things like a Soulmate Search and Contextual Dating. LOLOLOL πŸ™‚

I don’t know how long they’ll leave it up for but I think it’s good for a giggle.

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Another Recycling + Linux Project

I have two Year 12 students starting work next week on a project I’ve set up. They will be sorting a pile of donated tech – monitors, boxes, hard drives, working systems, ram etc. Then they’ll learn how to install Xubuntu. These will then be given away as complete systems for those on low incomes in our local community.

I’ll write more about this project as it progresses. I’m very excited about it. These young men have hardware and software (Microsoft) skills so it’s a good opportunity for them to be exposed to Linux in a productive and community beneficial environment.

The introduction and homework for the project is to use the Ubuntu live cd, explore some Ubuntu websites and find out more about Teen Challenge as well.

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Freecycle-another avenue for re-using stuff

I’m part of an email list called Freecycle. Members post messages, detailing items they have to give away, to the list. This is from the website:

“The Adelaide Freecycle Network is open to all who want to “recycle” that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too!

One constraint: everything posted must be free. This network is brought to you by The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills.”

Adelaide Freecycle Group
Freecycle All Over The World

I love this. I hate to see good stuff go to waste filling dumps! I’m dangerous at garage sales and auctions. I think I get this from my Dad. Mum hated it whenever Dad went to a clearing sale, when we were kids, but it was worse when he took the trailer!

We run a great 2nd hand clothes shop at Teen Challenge too – it provides a service to the community in good quality second hand clothes, household goods, linen etc and it’s keeping stuff out of landfill too. πŸ™‚

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Re: Why Home Educate?

Hi Henry
Thanks for your comment about reasons to home educate! I’m glad people do read my blog πŸ™‚

You mentioned one of your reasons to home educate was so that your daughters didn’t lose their love of learning. That’s an excellent reason and I totally agree with it. I hope your daughters continue to love learning all through their lives!

Henry’s blog is called Why Homeschool – “On this blog we explore why homeschooling is usually a better option for children than public schools. We’ll also explore homeschooling issues in general, educational thoughts, and some other random stuff.”