Free Geek
Encyclopedia
Free Geek is a collective
ly run non-profit organization
started in Portland, Oregon
in 2000. Free Geek has two central goals: to reuse
or recycle used computer
equipment that might otherwise become hazardous waste
, and to make computer technology more accessible to those who lack financial means or technical knowledge.
Free Geek's refurbished computers are either granted to non-profit organizations, given to volunteers, or sold in Free Geek's thrift store.
Free Geek offers numerous classes to its volunteers and to the general public. Free Geek also offers phone and drop-in technical support
on specific days of the week for the computers it produces.
usually choose between two programs: the Build Program and the Adoption Program. The Adoption Program allows volunteers to get to work immediately on relatively simple tasks, such as keeping incoming equipment organized or sorting metals and plastics. In the Build Program, volunteers learn while they work, and are trained to build refurbished computers. Volunteers completing either program are given computers of their own.
Free Geek has numerous other programs, which are generally run by longer-serving volunteers and staff members. A few examples: The Grants program reviews requests for computer equipment from other non-profit organizations. The Outreach committee/program oversees media contacts and events. The Reuse committee/program works to ensure that reuse is prioritized over recycling, and finds new ways to get equipment into the hands of people who will put it to use. The Administrators of Systems and Security oversee the network infrastructure of the organization.
Free Geek was the joint winner of the first Chris Nicol FOSS Prize awarded by the Association for Progressive Communications
(APC) in 2007.
In addition to Portland, a number of other cities have started their own Free Geek organizations.
Collective
A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together on a specific project to achieve a common objective...
ly run non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
started in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in 2000. Free Geek has two central goals: to reuse
Reuse
To reuse is to use an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a different function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of the used item into raw materials which are used to make new...
or recycle used computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
equipment that might otherwise become hazardous waste
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
, and to make computer technology more accessible to those who lack financial means or technical knowledge.
Free Geek's refurbished computers are either granted to non-profit organizations, given to volunteers, or sold in Free Geek's thrift store.
Activities
Technical support
Technical support or tech support refers to a range of services by which enterprises provide assistance to users of technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods...
on specific days of the week for the computers it produces.
Programs
People who wish to volunteer at Free Geek's community technology centerCommunity technology center
A community technology center or CTC offers resources to help bridge the digital divide, primarily through the public accessing computers and the internet. These centers are a key part of what is now being referred to as digital inclusion programs. Many centers provide training that ranges from...
usually choose between two programs: the Build Program and the Adoption Program. The Adoption Program allows volunteers to get to work immediately on relatively simple tasks, such as keeping incoming equipment organized or sorting metals and plastics. In the Build Program, volunteers learn while they work, and are trained to build refurbished computers. Volunteers completing either program are given computers of their own.
Free software
Free Geek's refurbished computers run Ubuntu Linux and other free and open-source software. The use of free software has several major benefits to the organization, and to the recipients of equipment: Free Geek operates without needing to devote resources to managing software licenses, and may install software where it is needed with minimal complications from legal considerations; and computer recipients get a wide range of software, which they may easily expand without paying money or entering into restrictive contracts.Free Geek was the joint winner of the first Chris Nicol FOSS Prize awarded by the Association for Progressive Communications
Association for Progressive Communications
The Association for Progressive Communications is an international network of organizations that was founded in 1990 to provide communication infrastructure, including Internet-based applications, to groups and individuals who work for peace, human rights, protection of the environment, and...
(APC) in 2007.
Locations
- Portland, OR ("the Mothership")
- Fayetteville, AR
- Central FL
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- South Bend, IN (Michiana)
- Vancouver, BC (Canada)
- Seattle, WA
- Murfreesboro, TN (Born Again—no longer recycling)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN (Twin Cities)
- Toronto, ON (Canada)
- Providence, RI
- Ferndale, MI (Greater Detroit area)
See also
- Computer recyclingComputer recyclingComputer recycling or electronic recycling is the recycling or reuse of computers or other electronics. It includes both finding another use for materials , and having systems dismantled in a manner that allows for the safe extraction of the constituent materials for reuse in other...
- Electronic waste in the United StatesElectronic waste in the United StatesElectronic waste in the United States is being addressed with regulations at a state and federal level.Ninety percent of US e-waste is exported to China and Nigeria.-Federal:...
- BWORKSBworksBWORKS is a St. Louis, Missouri, United States, non-profit organization devoted to providing opportunities for youth to develop their academic, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills and to become community leaders....
- Empower UpEmpower UpEmpower Up, formerly known as CREAM , a 501, is a computer recycling center in SW Washington. Started in mid-2002, Empower Up takes old electronics in for donation, and recycles/distributes them.-History:...
- Nonprofit Technology ResourcesNonprofit Technology ResourcesNonprofit Technology Resources is a charitable nonprofit organization inside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that "serves low-income people in Philadelphia by recycling used computers, providing hands-on work experience, and assisting community-based service organizations to use computers in their...