One idea shot down
I was thinking about starting a FreeGeek in Tucson. Then I discovered that something similar already exists here – only they're a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher, and they load their refurbished machines with Windows XP.
I hoped that they simply hadn't considered Linux, or considered it but lacked the expertise to promote it. But they have. In fact, they have a regular volunteer who installs Linux for the few customers who want it. And that's the problem: nobody wants it. Tucson isn't geeks; Tucson is blue collar.
So even though I think they're doing their customers a huge disservice by not pushing Linux, I feel that changing their minds would be an extremely hard sell. Not only that, but the marginal gain would be minimal compared to the marginal gain of starting a recycling center where none existed before. It just isn't worth it.
So, on to my next idea.
The real bummer is that I wouldn't even feel right about volunteering in their recycling center, because it's also a work transition program for COPE Community Services. So I'd be taking a volunteer opportunity away from someone in a rehab program. :-/
I hoped that they simply hadn't considered Linux, or considered it but lacked the expertise to promote it. But they have. In fact, they have a regular volunteer who installs Linux for the few customers who want it. And that's the problem: nobody wants it. Tucson isn't geeks; Tucson is blue collar.
So even though I think they're doing their customers a huge disservice by not pushing Linux, I feel that changing their minds would be an extremely hard sell. Not only that, but the marginal gain would be minimal compared to the marginal gain of starting a recycling center where none existed before. It just isn't worth it.
So, on to my next idea.
The real bummer is that I wouldn't even feel right about volunteering in their recycling center, because it's also a work transition program for COPE Community Services. So I'd be taking a volunteer opportunity away from someone in a rehab program. :-/