Free Geek is one of the most progressive community organizations I have ever seen. I had heard about it years ago through a friend and they said “you have to see this place”. At the time I wasn’t interested; a bunch of geeks recycling computers? That didn’t sound like my idea of fun.
For those that don’t know, Free Geek is a non-profit community organization that is based in SE Portland, OR. They have a 14,000 sq ft facility that is used for recycling used computer equipment as well as spaces for training, classes and a small conference room. The donated computer equipment is refurbished and then given to volunteers at Free Geek
About a year ago I had a meeting scheduled for me at Free Geek so I was finally going to get a chance to see the facility. Again, I was a little skeptical (for whatever reason I don’t know). I showed up about 10 minutes before Free Geek opened and I was amazed … what were all of these people doing out in front of the store front? Oh, they must want in on some cheap equipment. That makes sense.
At 11am the doors opened and I was surprised to see that nobody went into the thrift shop; they were all there to volunteer. I went into the thrift shop and looked around a bit. Lots of decent computer equipment at really reasonable prices. The proceeds from the shop go to help run the non-profit. I stepped out of the shop and headed towards the main facility and now, there was a line of cars with people dropping computer equipment off. The volunteers were taking the equipment from the cars and heading it into the facility. Now my curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
I quickly found the conference room and had my meeting (about helping organize a Penguin Day for October 2005) and then asked for the full tour. Within minutes I could see this was an amazing organization. Machines come in from cars pulling up. Volunteers in the “triage” area determine where to route the incoming equipment. From there machines get moved through out the facility and either completely rebuilt or off to the recycling area where components are salvaged. Guess what operating system they run on the newly refurbished machines? You guessed it, Linux.
The hook for the volunteers is that with 24 hours of volunteer time, they get a refurbished computer. Wow. Genius.
If you ever get a chance to visit the lovely city of Portland, OR you have to put a visit to Free Geek at the top of your list of sites to see.
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September 25, 2006 at 1:35 am
Jason
Free Geek is a great concept… and “probably” does help a small minority of needy folks find some VERY affordable computer parts. I respect this…
However, I had a very poor experience at free geek.
My story: I was out of work for about a year… hard up for cash. I needed some cheap parts for my computer so I could work my resume and apply for jobs electronically from home. I heard about this place selling computer parts for next to nothing and thought this was EXACTLY what I needed. So… I took the bus from North Portland to the Free Geek location in SE… and… after some wondering around… found the Free Geek store.
My first impression… lots of VERY low priced junk and a few usable items. What I didn’t realize was this place cators to the “sub-culture” and ultra-liberals… ehhhm… only.
Big mistake: With an interview that day… I was dressed for success… and… oddly… got the “evil eye” from the volunteer crew working the counter…
These folks were oh… so… eager to deny any request I had for parts and snubbed any opportunity for me to return at a later date… with responses such as, “Our parts manager is on vacation…” or “the person in charge of that area is only here in the mornings and probably won’t be here the morning you want to return.” Still, I was very polite and left the store empty handed.
On the way out… I noticed several counter culture folks requesting help and they seemed to get more action out of the “Stalinistic” clerks than I did.
Unbelievable?!?!? It was like some scene from the movie Brazil.
Anyway… My advice… Dress like a bum if you want to get served at Free Geek. Otherwise… it’s the “evil eye” for you Mr. Job Seeker! :-/
Anyway… I realize these folks are volunteers… Heck… you get that point practically rammed down your throat. I really do wish this program the best… but it would be of benefit to the community to select volunteers who aren’t playing games with the customers. Some of us, who are dressed nice, are also needy for cheep parts.