Phil BrandvoldI've been thinking about how I can use my skills to help fight fascism. I keep coming back to helping folks #selfhost and move to #linux which helps us all be more #resilient and less reliant on Big Tech (which funds and drives fascism). I'm a #sysadmin by day and I have lots of experience with #helpdesk tasks like supporting end users with #tech and I think hosting a local #linuxinstallparty might be a great way to help my community. Anyone else in the #twincities of #MN have similar thoughts?
I'm not sure I'm as experienced with #linux as I'd like to be in order to fully run such a thing by myself, or even if there's that much interest by my community. But I'm willing to give it a shot with or without some partners I think.
Greg šš»š„ļøš@pmbrandvold I would be interested in helping with this. I've been considering a similar community focused tech repair/fix/refurb kinda event.
@gregdosh I'm mostly in the "wouldn't it be cool" camp of thought right now. I'm considering reaching out to my local library for what space could look like for such an event. I have a tendency to want to expand before taking even the first step (I discovered https://therestartproject.org/about/ today and now want to do full on repair events too haha). But I think starting small and focused is a good start. Maybe a "Computer can't upgrade to Win11? Try Linux" kind of campaign with an Intro to Linux meeting?
@pmbrandvold I hadn't heard of the Restart Project so thanks for that link!
I'm also in the "it would be nice" category and I've done some initial research in on-off times. At the Roseville area schools/library I think they have some limited repair classes and I'd offered to teach a class on some tech repair stuff but haven't heard anything back yet. I'd done some other looking around and noticed it's possible to rent a community space for relatively cheap and thought about doing that and making it an open invite etc.
I've got technical experience w/ linux and a lot of macos and other devices to feel comfortable tackling most things "reinstall OS + drivers" related. Could also do computer upgrade tasks if people already had parts. Things like swapping/installing ram or hard drives in peoples computers or the like.
I've also loved the idea of creating a community/recurring event on the "check out linux" or "don't be afraid of the command line" kind of events for anyone of any skill level.
@gregdosh I actually emailed the Roseville branch of the ramsey county library today inquiring about what it looks like for using space. Iām in the Roseville area so funny you mention it. I also like the idea of a recurring event. I came up on the help desk so feel like I can troubleshoot and resolve many things though windows kinda just sucks now and Iām less experienced with Linux. RAM/SSD upgrades is a good idea.
@pmbrandvold For windows there might be some really interesting things around debloating oem installs or removing AI features with tools like WinUtil.
https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil
I'd be more than interested in doing classes or teaching on occasion depending on community interest as well.
I've been hesitant to go at it alone myself before because I think this stuff does better with community and driving towards their needs rather than my own personal interests on what to teach or help with.
I used to teach software developers at Target and I have been helping my mom with her tech for years and years. The mix of personas and needs and aptitude is a lot of fun for me.
A (recurring) community give back day is what I've been trying to figure out how to start for a while. Especially in my local area.
The Harriet Alexander Nature Center does building rentals and I was considering how fun it would be to encourage folks to come drop off computer stuff and go for a walk or something and then come back. https://cityofroseville.com/637/Building-Rentals#tab150b1097-e828-4c2e-b4b0-8af361033695_1
Aaron In Minnesota@gregdosh @pmbrandvold been on very similar wavelength as you both. Been thinking of hosting some Linux install parties at local libraries or parks with shelters, power outlets, and wifi which there are at least a few solid options.
How to promote and get folks to show up is a hurdle I don't have much idea about, but I have found there is no shortage of old spare laptops people have sitting on shelves or whatever that tend to run Linux perfectly well.
@aeischeid @pmbrandvold I'm not great at marketing myself, but I wonder if there are other Minneapolis groups or networks we could tap into to help/advertise/get-the-word out.
First to mind for me was something like @TwinCitiesGeek if we can figure out a place/time and probably a small little flyer/promo maybe?
@gregdosh @pmbrandvold @TwinCitiesGeek With Ubuntu 26.04 arriving soon, ( along with all the derivatives that base off that - Mint, Pop!_OS, etc.) and the weather getting nice. I am thinking again about this install parties idea.
Interested in a meetup, IRL or virtual, to bounce ideas around for maybe making it actually happen?
@aeischeid @pmbrandvold @TwinCitiesGeek I'm absolutely up for meeting up to do some brainstorming and collaborating on this idea!