Hot Topic: Can we get donated licenses for our donated computers?

I am an MCSE, MCDBA who has been in the tech sector for 8 years. I also am a volunteer at the computer lab of the Logan Square Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, IL. The company I work for and some friends have generously donated some older but usable computers for me to give to kids who don’t have one at home. To let the kids “earn” the computers, I teach them a little A+ - type hardware knowledge, and a little Windows and application stuff. The only thing that I am missing is Windows licenses. All of the XP licenses that were associated with those physical machines were kept for their new computers. These computers are going to kids between the ages of 9 and 18 who would probably not be able to afford a computer themselves. Right now, I have 11 computers. I guess I could install Linux and OpenOffice.org on them, but they are accustomed to Windows and Office, so they would be able to use them much more productively if I could install that on them, instead. The problem is that I have no money for this. Do you have a program for donating licenses for this type of program?

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HOT TOPIC: Grants for CTCs

Does anyone have any information about community technology grants for the next fiscal year 05-06?

http://www.techsoup.org/forums/index.cfm?fuseaction=read&forum=2002&id=55995

Hot Topic: My Monitor Keeps Crashing. What to do?

TechSoup Discussions
Hot Topic: My monitor keeps crashing
"My monitor crashes everytime i get into windows and the monitor isnt the problem because ive use it perfectly on a diferent pc. The pc works great in safe mode execpt i dont wana have 2 run it in safe mode all the time."

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Hot Topic: Laptop Recommendations. The TechSoup Community Sounds Off and The Debate continues

Hi everyone, I am feeling a little overwhelmed about buying a new laptop, so I decided to come to my favorite community for some advice. My laptop is on the fritz. It is a four year old HP that got pretty beat up during college. I have been told by multiple people that rather than trying to fix it, I should use the money towards buying a new one. Though I have primarily used PCs in the past, I am thinknig that I want a Mac, possibly an iBook. I have browsed the "store" on Apple.com but am feeling a little lost. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!




http://www.techsoup.org/forums/index.cfm?fuseaction=read&forum=2035&id=51176&cid=117&page=2

Hot Topic: guest access to a public PC?

I am setting up a computer to run at the back of my church. it is intended that people will be able to access the interent through to access resources online. It is running windows 98 (2nd ed), and has a floppy drive, cd drive and not a lot else. I am looking for a way to limit the users abilities when using the system. I would like them to not be able to install any programs without a password, or similar. also password blocking access to the cd drive/floppy drive would be handy. does anyone know of a method to do this, or any software that will do it for me?
http://www.techsoup.org/forums/index.cfm?fuseaction=read&forum=2009&id=56001&cid=117