OT: Eagle project seeking computer donations

[Alan Dayley]

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Alan Dayley wrote:
> (Broken thread but subject continues.)
> 
> I have just found out that the scouts are leaving on this trip on June
> 1st.  That is less than a week away.
> 
> I don't think there is time to do physical assembly and test of donated
> parts for this trip.  Maybe there will be opportunity for that on future
> trips.  I thank all who offered components for this purpose, but, for now,
> we don't have time to use them.
> 
> The troop is concentrating on getting donations of complete computers. 
> Computers without monitors would be fine and donations of monitors would
> be easy to match up to the computers.  If you have a complete working
> computer of recent vintage (3 years old, maximum) that you'd like to
> provide to this effort, let me know off list.
> 
> The troop is going to Mexico on June 1st so we need the donations right
> away.  Thanks.

I was asked by someone who offered donations to the project what had
happened.  I figure I should give a report to the group.

First, I again thank the several that offered computer equipment.  The
generosity of this group is not limited to the excellent knowledge.

The organizers didn't have a computer knowledgeable person in charge of
this part of the project.  As a result I was called in Wednesday night
to prepare 4 donated systems for transport to Mexico with the group the
next morning.  I was up till mid-night scrambling to prep 4 computers
for use in Mexico.  Only enough time to clean a few things up and put
OpenOffice.org Spanish on them.  I felt bad because non-tech people seem
to think this stuff just falls into place.  Working on computers, one at
a time, on a living room floor and without a network connection is not a
good way to do that sort of thing.

Anyway, 4 complete computers, 3 printers and about 4 extra monitors were
loaded on the trailer and went down to Mexico Thursday morning.  They
have not yet returned so I don't yet know how it went.

What should have happened was an InstallFest of sorts to put these
computers together properly, done far enough ahead of time to handle any
gotchas.

They all meant well.  The main project will be the repairs, etc. they
will be doing to the orphanage so I am sure it will all turn out well.

Alan
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