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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?

http://www.techsoup.org/forums/index.cfm?fuseaction=read&forum=2009&id=55868&cid=117

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."

Read the thread here

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

Technology Issues: Bush vs. Kerry

TechSoup News
Technology Issues: Bush v Kerry
President Bush and Senator John Kerry may not agree on most fundamental issues like stem cell research and health care, but technology is one area where the candidates share similar viewpoints.

Both politicians espouse the importance of technological innovation, focusing efforts on increasing broadband and Wi-Fi accessibility and developing hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Each supports a tax cut for technology research and development. At different times, Bush and Kerry have both mentioned that technology can improve the quality of our nation’s healthcare system. [Original Story

Question of the Week: What's the Difference Between a Switch and a Hub

Date: 10/28/04
TechSoup Question of the Week
Author: Christian Nielsen

Question: "We have an office with 4 computers all sharing Internet through a Belkin 4 port router connected to a Westell DSL modem (1.2Mbps download). All the computers work well. We are looking to add 2 more computers that will share Internet access also. A few folks told me to buy a hub and connect it to the router. Others told me get a switch and add that to the router. I am very confused. What is the difference between a hub and a switch? What do I need to expand to 2 more computers that will share my DSL?" Read the Answer

I-Names Offer New Way to Stave Off Spam

Date: 10/26/04
TechSoup News
By Sarah Hawkins

There's a new secret weapon in the fight against spam. Launched yesterday, an experimental spam combating service -- developed by a consortium of organizations and Internet broker companies and led by Identity Commons -- offers privacy-protected global Internet addresses, or i-names.

"I-names are the first universal private address -- an Internet address owned and controlled by a user for as long as they want, but spam-proof because it is not an e-mail address," Identity Commons president Owen Davis explained in the press release. [Original Story]

Electronic Voting: Better Elections or Just More Problems?

Date: 10/25/04
TechSoup: How-To: Hardware
By Henry Kumagai

Four years ago, with hanging chads in the news and the reliability of the U.S. electoral system in question, states and counties quickly embraced a technical solution: electronic voting machines. After all, went the thinking, with computers there should be no messy paper ballots, hanging or pregnant chads, or any of the other problems.

This year counties in 29 states plus the District of Columbia will offer touch-screen voting machines which will tally an estimated 50 million votes, according to the Washington Post. In California, the Los Angeles Times estimates that 30 percent of voters -- 4.5 million voters in 10 counties -- will cast their ballots using e-voting machines.

With the imbroglio of 2000 fresh in voters' minds, however, critics fear that this haste to embrace e-voting will mire another presidential election in ambiguous and contention-filled results. Will this pivotal election be remembered, not for hanging chads, slim margins, and recounts, but for inaccuracies due to computer crashes and data corruption? [Original Story]

Volunteer Posse Plays Crucial Role in Browser Launch

Date: 10/21/04
TechSoup News
By Sarah Hawkins.

With volunteers helping on every aspect of the campaign, release parties around the globe, and a full-page ad in the New York Times, the Mozilla Foundation is launching its new Firefox 1.0 Web browser in true open-source style.

Using a grassroots effort to tap into the mainstream media, the Mozilla Foundation is seeking donations to fund a full-page advertisement in the New York Timesto coincide with the launch. A $30 donation ($10 for students) will get your name in the ad that outlines the browser's features and benefits. [Original Story]