March 2009

One of the first considerations in hosting a Linux Against Poverty installfest/event is how and where to obtain computers. You can only donate as many computers as you can get your hands on. When I first envisioned the local LAP event, I figured that it wouldn't be hard for me to get my hands on 100 computers -- but I have a pretty high profile in Austin. Still, if I were to have a 2nd event, I might find my sources exhausted.

So I put this question to Ken at HeliOS initiative. Austin is fortunate to have him as our local Linux Against Poverty partner. Last year Ken provided over 350 Linux computers to local children. That makes him an expert at getting his hands on free machines -- year after year. I asked Ken to share some of his expertise

Ken Starks, founder of the HeliOS Initiative.

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Lynn Bender: As folks in various cities prepare for local Linux Against Poverty events, one of the first things that they will have to consider is how to obtain computers. This last year, HeliOS initiative providing over 350 computers for underprivileged children. So it's safe to say that you now have a pretty good pipeline going. Looking back to when you first started a few years ago, could you tell me where your best sources for obtaining computers? Did you approach friends? Companies where friends worked?

Ken Starks: Friends and family got us started but what I was surprised at was the number of kids out there that needed machines. I used the dickens out of Craigslist to ask for computers and got good results - "good" being relative. One posting would yield anywhere from 3 to 9 computers but you have to remember that your market is going to dictate the response for donations. Those were not always usable machines either. The student today needs to access high-bandwidth websites and utilize high-resource applications. The old Gateway 450's that we got had to be stripped of anything usable and pitched...they just don't have the internals to allow them to be upgraded to current technology standards. Some people get a bit miffed when we turn things down but when we have to pay "E-waste" fees to dispose of things, saying no gets easier. Most people do understand if you explain it to them. To most folks, a computer is a computer. They don't realize how quickly technology changes the way we interface our machines.

As I drive a truck and make deliveries to large businesses, I always find a way to work in what I do into the conversation. Last Wednesday I left one place with 4 17 inch LCD monitors and three P4 machines that needed hard drives. It's not uncommon for me to come back to the dock with 2 pallets of hardware at the end of the day. I always make it a habit to hand out our business card to everyone I come into contact. I've had people I talked to months ago call me and tell me to come pick up stuff.

Lynn Bender: Now that HeliOS is getting a name and reputation in Austin, where are your best sources? What percentage comes from individuals, and what percentage comes from corporate entities?

Ken Starks: By far, our best results have been with individuals. There is just so much paperwork involved for most businesses to donate property that they just send someone out the back door at night and throw it in the dumpster. I've personally seen machines that were just over a year old smashed in the bottom of a dumpster and it breaks my heart...so much great stuff rendered unusable because of bureaucratic redtape. That's not to say we haven't gotten some great donations from businesses, we have. You can go to our SuperNova Club page and see some of the businesses that have donated equipment. It breaks down to about 70/30 with the 70% being private donors.

We have recently gotten our non profit status worked out, so we expect more large companies to donate to us...and that's fair. A tax break is a tax break, I don't begrudge anyone that opportunity. What does hack my backside is seeing almost new stuff destroyed and tossed. That's not only irresponsible, it's selfish. Of course, 11 year old disadvantaged kids don't spend money with most of these companies.

Lynn Bender: A few weeks ago, I thought I heard you say that you had to turn down a palette of computers because you didn't have a place to store them. Did I hear you correctly? How often has this happened?

Ken Starks: More than I want to admit. It was great stuff too...I just don't have room to put it anywhere right now. My personal living space is past full of stacked equipment and parts. We are currently paying for two storage areas as well so we're pretty much at critical mass, storage-wise. That's money being spent for storage that could go to getting machines in the hands of those who need them. (editor's note: Ken could use a storage space for computers in the queue)

A lot of the stuff we have is bulk items...computer cases and boxes of cables and cords...CRT monitors are a nightmare to store and they are super expensive to recycle. I will ultimately use everything I have at some point...I just cannot accept anything that's going to inhabit any space for any period of time right now. We are way past capacity. Even the back of my SUV is being used to store stuff.

On top of that, we've had times where we had computers to deliver but didn't have gas money for the vehicles to go make the delivery. See...we are not funded by any corporates or sponsors. I have a small business called HeliOS Solutions that creates some funding...I funnel that money into the charity but it's really not enough. The money we are spending for storage might not be much in the scheme of things but in our circumstance, it is.

Lynn Bender: You had mentioned a while back that Helios was looking to establish a drop off location for donating computers. You now have one, yes? Can you tell me about it?

Ken Starks: Yeah, that was a sticking point for us and still is at times. Many of the folks who have things for us cannot get it to us so we have to go pick it up. See gas money reference above. We are not exactly "centrally located" so it can be a trek for some to bring the donated items to us. Greg at Itech Electronics has graciously offered us his business as a drop point for those in North Austin. His business is located on Burnet Road so it's fairly accessible to those that live north. We have a page on our website that we just put up that will list the drop points for our donations. Most of the places also have offered to collect cash donations for us as well. That rocks. They can either leave checks or put a couple bucks in the "jar" on the counter. Did I mention that rocks?

Lynn Bender: Helios runs public service ads on KUT, the local PBS affiliate. How effective have the radio spots been? Where have you found the best source for free advertising to be?

Ken Starks: KUT has yielded us the most of any advertising we've tried. We don't have funding for any conventional advertising so we have to go with what we have access to. KUT has been stellar in putting our ads on air and I always know when a PSA has run because I get three to four calls in succession afterward. Kudos to KUT for being there when we need them. They've gotten us by far the best donations to date.

Lynn Bender: Do you have any other advice for folks gathering computers for a Linux Against Poverty event?

Ken Starks: You bet...just say no to junk. As I said earlier, most people think that the computer sitting in the closet for the past 5 years is just fine...simply dust it off, plug it in and away you go. You have to take the time to explain it to them...that the technology for today's machines just does not exist in the ones they are trying to give you. The best way I've found to do it is using a car analogy. You cannot put the parts of a 1994 Taurus in a 2009 model and the 1994 will not come close to meeting the performance needs of today's machines. That usually sinks in without too much drama. As well, if a CRT monitor has sat out in a garage or storage area for over 6 months, turn it down. It might work for a few hours afterward but the accumulation of spiderwebs and ant farms inside them will short something out in short order and you are stuck with a 30 dollar recycling bill per monitor. So, just say no to junk.

To keep up with the Global Linux Against Poverty project:
Linux Against Poverty Facebook group
Linux Against Poverty LinkedIn group
(online volunteer registration coming soon).
If you're in Austin and would like to donate computers or other resources, contact Ken Starks at Helios

Financial support for this interview provided by Smart Bear Software.