The Hire Knowledge Project ... Find the right one.

Try as you might, you will be hard pressed to find a computer running any flavour of Linux or other free software in a store, or visible where the curious can use it. Sure, you might happen upon an individual with one of the new netbooks running Ubuntu, but you can hardly be blamed for thinking that your only choices in software are the latest Microsoft products or Apple's Mac offerings. Now, however, coffee drinkers in central Ottawa can use free software to stay connected while they enjoy their java at a local fair trade co-op shop.

I first thought of this after watching someone use one of the rental laptops at Linuxcaffe in Toronto, then observing someone asking to borrow a laptop to check their email at a busy wireless hotspot in Ottawa a couple of days later. If it could be done in Toronto, why couldn't it be done in Ottawa? After a little research and a few weeks of trying to put together a downtown Ubuntu/Linux gathering, I managed to arrange a small meeting, from which came an offer of hardware and much-needed momentum. Less than two weeks later, a laptop mysteriously appeared near the front window of the cafe. It took a few more days to make people aware of it, but now, even without advertising, it is frequently used. There is no sign, at least not yet, but word of mouth seems to be working.

The computer itself is a Dell Latitude D410, a model that is four or five years old now. According to the source it has been through it's share of beverage-related mishaps, but it seems to still do the job. It came with a basic installation of Ubuntu GNU/Linux 9.04 (code-named Jaunty Jackalope), so there was a bit of work to do to get it ready for use by anonymous customers. I had to create new accounts for administrators and staff, restrict the public account, add media players, install more Windows equivalent software, add relevant shortcuts and launchers, turn on the fancy eye candy to wow the users and so on. It took some time to get right, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

On the down side, the donated mouse has a busted scroll wheel, but the touch pad can cover for that. The British keyboard confuses some of the hunt-and-peck typists, at least until they realize that the layout is set to USA as the default, for those who are used to typing on that setup. It might surprise those that have not used a modern Linux distribution to learn that almost all the difficulties experienced by users could have happened on any platform, especially with users that are not so comfortable with computers in general, and had nothing to do with the operating system or software itself.

Overall, it was well worth the effort, not only to show that there are alternatives, but also to show how much can be done with older technology.

Update: as of Thursday, July 30th, there are Ubuntu 9.04 live CDs available at the Somerset & Percy location.

Late October update: John organized a small Ubuntu-focused event to celebrate the recent release of version 9.10, the 'Karmic Koala'. It was the first time he had seen it it a month or two, and weeks since I had last performed any maintenance. Your typical Windows machine, exposed to the public like that, would have had obvious problems without regular upkeep, but our 'puppy' seemed to be going strong.

Late October update: John organized a small Ubuntu-focused event to celebrate the recent release of version 9.10, the 'Karmic Koala'. It was the first time he had seen it it a month or two, and weeks since I had last performed any maintenance. Your typical Windows machine, exposed to the public like that, would have had obvious problems without regular upkeep, but our 'puppy' seemed to be going strong.

I doubt the apple with a big bite from it was intentional, but I won't be surprised if it is noticed. Most people in the trendier places go to Macs when they look for an alternative to Windows, but this shows what a bit of necessity and some motivated enthusiasts can do to put free software options in the public eye.