The biggest bottleneck right now is finding shelters and facilities that need Public Web Stations. The big aid organizations are innundated by both victims and donors and, frankly, what we're doing is lower priority.
So it's up to us to make things happen. And, to do it in a way that's a help, not a hindrance. Here's how:
--
Individuals
-- Donors
-- Shelters / Other Facilities
-- Aid Organizations
-- Media
First, register yourself at TechVolunteers.com.
Second, we need scouts. Everything else depends on this.
Look around in your area for shelters/facilities that need our help. Many shelters may have already come up with a solution for internet access, but others don't know where to look or who to ask for help. Find them, make contact, let them know about our project, and get an effort going.
For now, you can list the shelter in the discussion forum as one requesting an installation. (List the city/sate in the subject line.) Remember, they probably won't have internet access, so YOU may have to do it for them or find someone who can.
Also: there is a big BIG advantage to installing into a facility BEFORE it's populated and things go crazy! So now is the time to get going.
(We should post guides about how to approach the shelter manager, how to make all the arrangements, do the install, etc. We might also set up some kind of shelter database. Anyone want to help?)
We
need volunteers:
Keep checking the message board. Watch the requests and see how you can
help.
--
Can you donate equipment?
-- Do you know how to arrange for a net connection?
-- Can you transport equipment, give others a ride?
-- Can you help with installation, set up, training, following support?
Don't rely on the shelter being able to do any of this. Expect that YOU will have to do just about everything to make this happen.
Sound like a big job? Don't worry, just ask for help here on the message board.
If you find an organization to help, and you need to find computer equipment for them:
-
go to: http://DIYparts.org/
-- list your need under the "computer systems" section
-- In the title, put something like: "NEED: 55
PublicWebStations
available in
Carson City NV"
-- be sure to list your contact info!
If you have appropriate equipment you'd like to donate, all you need to do is post it!
--
go to: http://DIYparts.org/
-- list your offer under the "computer systems" section
-- In the title, put something like: "OFFER: 55
PublicWebStations
available in
Carson City NV"
-- be sure to list your contact info!
The primary need is for large lots of complete, working machines. There will also be a need for network gear, cables, power strips, extension cords, tables, and the like.
Don't lose hope if someone doesn't contact you immediately. This is a very "decentralized" system. People who need gear look for offers like yours and everybody tries to find a way to make it happen -- it's sort of a self-matching process. It may take a while for the right folks to come along to take adveantage of your offer.
Individual donations of one or two machines is nice, but managing to that level is a lot of work right now. If you have a single machine you want to donate, scout out a shelter, make contact, get an installation going!
Some
questions donors can ask themselves are:
-- Are there shelters in YOUR AREA that can use Public Web Stations?
-- Can you, or someone you know, find out where they are and make
contact with them?
Setting up an individual machine doesn't need to be hard. But setting up a whole installation can be a big task -- if you need help or more info, just ask! (Hopefully, we'll be generating a howto guide shortly.)
(And BTW: thanks for stepping up and making the offer!)
SHELTERS
/ OTHER FACILITIES:
We need to know that you exist and are asking for help. Your request is
what's drives this whole thing!
We may set up some kind of database to facilitate this, but for right now, post a request on the message board. (If you are a shelter or aid organization and you need computers or help, please call 916-791-2200 and ask for John or press 2 at the main menu to leave a message.)
You'll need to allow some dry, indoor space, preferably with a lockable door. The setup will need power and an internet connection -- it's best if these are already available. If not, the job will be harder, but not impossible.
AID
ORGANIZATIONS:
We know you're busy! We can help, and we promise we won't get in the
way.
Right now, we need to know what shelters and facilities could use PublicWebStations -- give us a database, a spreadsheet, an email, a phonecall, whatever. We'd love to hear from you!
Contact Curt at pwsaid@gmail.com, or call call 916-791-2200 and ask for John or press 2 at the main menu to leave a message.
MEDIA:Want success stories? Want to talk to donors, organizers, volunteers? See http://www.publicwebstations.com/success.html, make contact with one of the folks on http://www.publicwebstations.com/contact.html, or leave a message on the board.
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FINAL NOTE: HAD SUCCESS? If you have had some success either getting help through www.publicwebstations.com, or you have been able to give help, please send an email (with photos if available) to pwsaid@gmail.com. We want to document this project as much as possible.