[Leaplist] Charitable proposal for Leap members.

Thu Jun 7 10:27:32 EDT 2007

Patrick: Please add me to the list of instructors.
Homer Whittaker
CDR, US Navy (Retired)

patrick wrote:
> Dear Bob Knoerzer, and all Leapsters:
> 
> I await the contact from the VA coordinators for the program.
> 
> Their explanation to me is that they will issue a donation letter and a
> letter of appreciation to donors.  One of the letters is to substantiate
>  a charitable contribution for IRS tax purposes.
> 
> But, all is pending their internal agreement on my suggestion of this
> program of instruction to familiarize the Veterans with computers, plus,
>  the use of GNU/Linux.
> 
> I stress the use of GNU/Linux for many reasons, such as the case of
> Julie Amero, a substitute teacher wrongly convicted for a win98
> pornblast, and whose conviction was overturned yesterday, by the
> presiding judge.
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/06/amero_conviction_set_aside/
> 
> Another important reason is that the majority of the Internet and all
> Fortune 500 corporations run some FOSS on the servors, and network.
> 
> Any knowledge of FOSS, as acquired through the use of GNU/Linux puts an
> employee ahead of the game!  Plus, without the overhead of several
> anti-malware programs, and with the more efficient code, systems run
> much faster in GNU/Linux.
> 
> Thanks for your interest in this, and I hope to hear from the VA by next
> week.
> 
> Bob Knoerzer wrote:
>> As a subscriber to this list and Army Veteran of 8 years. We have
>> computers at our office in which clients have given us with no use to
>> them. How can AOKNetworking give these to someone to help with this
>> process? 
>>
>> I wouldn't mind donating them to this program. How can we proceed?
>>
>> Patrick any suggestions?
>>
>>
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> Bob Knoerzer
>>
>> AOKNetworking, LLC
>>
>> 407-379-9263 office
>>
>> 407-379-9265 fax
>>
>> www.aoknetworking.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: leaplist-bounces at leap-cf.org [mailto:leaplist-bounces at leap-cf.org]
>> On Behalf Of patrick
>> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 7:25 AM
>> To: This is the Leap Main List
>> Subject: Re: [Leaplist] Charitable proposal for Leap members.
>>
>> Not to jump to far, too fast.  These Veterans need to be conversant
>> enough to get email and surf jobs.  When we find someone with the desire
>> and ability to be a Technician, of course we will try to bring them up
>> to speed.  But, the entire program runs 90 days, and we will get to
>> visit them for about an hour of it.
>>
>> the point here is to do the introduction to Linux on a system, give them
>> a system they will own and can use in the real world, and possibly
>> recruit a new club member...  Then the learning can really begin.  These
>> folks have to get jobs, homes, and everything to subsist in the world.
>>
>> Many do not have any source of income, and fell through the cracks...
>>
>> Kyle Gonzales wrote:
>>> I like the idea.  However, if you reallly want to teach them a
>>> commercially viable skill, you will want to show them how to use RHEL
>>> or SLES.  Heck, they might even get on a track to get Red Hat or
>>> Novelll certified, if they are so inclined.
>>>
>>> The VA is actually a big open source shop, creating one of the largest
>>> open source medical apps out there.  I can imagine they would be open
>>> to it.
>>>
>>> On 6/6/07, patrick <pberry2 at cfl.rr.com> wrote:
>>>> I am a Veteran, and talked to some of the directors at the VA about
>> one
>>>> area they might be needing help with.
>>>>
>>>> The VA Clinic here in Winter Park houses 60 veterans who have become
>>>> homeless.  The program rehabilitates them over 90 days or so.  Some
>> are
>>>> victims of illness, accidents, but, are now recovered.  I think the
>>>> program is an OutReach non profit type government sponsored thing.
>>>> Probably a great way to recycle Public School computers, or
>> government
>>>> excess computers... and actually have them out there doing some good
>>>> instead of just being salvaged to the junk vultures.
>>>>
>>>> These folks get some training, some breathing space, clothes, and
>> some
>>>> necessities to start over, along with guidance in finding a job and a
>>>> place to live.
>>>>
>>>> We know that to get and keep a job, it often requires some computer
>>>> skills, some access to computers.  They have two, there.  I can
>> imagine
>>>> there are lines.
>>>>
>>>> Also, they probably do not run Linux.  So, I am expecting a phone
>> call
>>>> from one of the directors, after they have discussed this concept.  I
>>>> imagine they will run it by their IT guys, which could probably kill
>> it.
>>>> My sense is that many folks will do what they are paid to do in their
>>>> government jobs, but, the thought that volunteers are out here ready
>> to
>>>> help just can't intrude into their world.
>>>>
>>>> My offer is to give them some of the computers that I have, along
>> with
>>>> the latest CDroms of Mepis, PCLinuxOS, and a 30 minute to one hour
>>>> class, each week for the summer, on a regular schedule, so they are
>> up
>>>> to speed when they relocate out in the world.
>>>>
>>>> I would like to see each veteran have a computer so as to have some
>>>> capability to communicate, post their resume, and join in the
>> community
>>>> that is of interest to them, on the web.
>>>>
>>>> I live about a mile away so it is easy for me to go there.  I will
>>>> convey more as I learn it.  I am awaiting their call.
>>
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