Santa Visits The HeliOS Project

It was pretty much the last thing I expected...

But then again, I never expected a nasty cold on Christmas Eve...

But, ya take the good with the bad, right?

Things had been slow here.  Our prime vehicle had sat for a few days, crippled and unsafe to drive, deliveries were piling up and I really wanted to get these computers delivered by Christmas.  Things do work out though if you give them a push from time to time.  Rick Meyers stepped up and took four of the computers we had ready and delivered them, I took the three closest to me and prodded the Rodeo to do her duty...

We got caught up...Thanks Rick.

But we still had the pressing matter of not having a reliable way of getting around.  Our delivery vehicle was unsafe to drive and we needed a new one.  I had put 800.00 dollars down on a rebuilt Jeep Grand Cherokee but we owed 1800 dollars to pick it up.  Generous readers had donated 500.00 to the cause but that left us short 1300 bucks.

That's a lot of money when you operate a charity or non profit...at least for us it is.

And then I heard sleigh bells.

Funny thing though...you associate Christmas with snow and cheery fires with ice-glistened trees and heavy coats accompanied by frosty breath.

A far cry from San Diego California where the daytime winter temperature is 65 degrees.  Looks like Santa is wintering in San Diego this year.  He emailed me a couple days ago and it was a simple one line email.

If 1300 dollars is all that is stopping you from resuming your work after the holidays, I can donate it to you.

How do you reply to something like that?  I mean, aside from humble thanks.

"Santa" does not want to be named nor does he want a lot of fanfare around this.  He was kind enough to help us with this generous gift at a time when it was needed most and for that I am not only grateful, I am rejuvenated.  I want to publicly thank this wonderful person for the Christmas present he left under our tree.  It is going to allow us to continue doing what we do.

I also want to publicly thank Andy Krell, Skip Guenter, Tom King and Ron West for the generous donation of their time.  Each had volunteered at a moment's notice to deliver or pick up equipment if needed.  For that generosity, I thank each of you.

Virginia already knew there was a Santa Claus...

Now I do too

All-Righty Then

Of Thunderbolts and Revelations

Thunderbolts and Revelations.

Metaphorically, they can be perceived as the same thing.

Of course, "Thunderbolt" carries a bit more drama and impact...an idea or fact that comes upon you so swiftly and powerfully, it is perceived as profound or moving.

...Pretty powerful for something that really doesn't exist, but I think we all get the idea.

His name is Daniel and he is a Scotsman.  A Chef by trade, Daniel has traveled extensively across Europe and the US.  He now calls Italy home and spends much of his time teaching the locals English.

Ahem...just an observation here, ok?  I've been to the Highlands.  I've got falling down drunk in Pubs that had sheep gathered ten feet from the back door.  (ok...no jokes...)  I've spent my share of time on the Emerald Isle from top to bottom, albeit rushed at times.  And don't even get me started on my Isle of Man stories...this is a family-friendly blog.

I do have one rhetorical question.

What would an native Italian sound like after learning English from a Scotsman?

...Just goofy stuff I think about sometimes.

At any rate, Daniel was a guest in the home of Mark Van Kingsley.  Mark is a long-time Linux Advocate and has his own Linux-based business in New York.  He is also a good and treasured friend of The HeliOS Project.  He's one of many who have put their sweat equity and money into doing what we do.

By the way Mark...May 16th...2nd Annual LAP.  See ya there?

Mark and Family were having Dinner with Daniel in their home when the subject of technology and computers came up.  Daniel complained about the lack of privacy and the hassle-in-general of using Microsoft Windows.  Van Kingsley might as well of had a bear trap set for the poor guy.

"You ever heard of Linux?" Mark asked.

Daniel shook his head and said that he had not.

Game On.

Mark explained the concept and facts of Free Software.  He explained how Linux was created, how it was maintained and how it was improved.  He also mentioned that it was free of cost as well.   He showed him three different distros on three different computers.

But then came the inevitable question?

"What's the catch?"

Mark told him.

"If you like it, use it.  Tell other people about it and tell them how to
get it. If you find a version of Linux or application for Linux that
absolutely knocks your socks off, give them praise and money if you
can afford it.  That's the catch."

Before the evening was over, Mark burned Daniel a Linux Mint CD and sent him home with it.  Daniel promised he would call Mark if he had any questions.


Daniel called him about an hour later.

He was amazed at the amount of software and functionality Linux had straight out of the box.  He did have a bit of a glitch with his webcam but Mark, being the advocate he is, directed Daniel to the Mint forums where he figured the problem out for himself.  Fact is, it wasn't really a problem...just a matter of a quirky driver.  Odd brand, stodgy driver support.  Heck, that happens more than often in Windows.

Oh, did I mention that Daniel had figured out how to dual boot his Windows partition with his new Linux one?

He called Mark the next day too.  Not to ask questions but to let him know that he had installed and configured Skype and was talking to his friends in Italy about his new operating system and all the things it could do.

They did not believe him.

Not one of them had heard of Linux.

They have now, I have been so assured.

The last few calls Mark got during Daniel's last few days in The States pertained to questions about Synaptic, the command line and how other distros differed from what he was using.

The very last call Mark got from Daniel was to tell him that he had backed up his Windows System and had did a full hard drive install of Mint on his computer.  No more dual booting.  No more windows.

Daniel didn't see the need for it.  He now had freedom, he now had privacy and he now had a computer he could trust.  Daniel, like many of us admits that he has used cracked or "fixed" versions of Windows at one time or another.  If there is one message that needs to be sent, it would be this.

Hey Redmond...there are millions of us who don't even think your product is worth stealing anymore.

Your stock closed today at 30.48 per share.  It was 27.00 and change the day Windows 7 was released.

Hey...not saying anything here...just an observation...those thunder clouds are beginning to look a tad bit ominous.

All-Righty Then

Takin' 5...

Before anything else, I want to extend my warmest and most sincere wishes to everyone during this holiday season.  Regardless of whether you celebrate a traditional holiday or are just along for the ride, I want the best for you this season.

This comes at an unfortunate time but it is necessary.  The HeliOS Project will suspend our current operations as of Monday.  We will take the next 30 to 45 days to re-evalute many aspects of what we do and how we do it.

At this time, we are without a vehicle to make our deliveries or donation pickups.  We are still 1300 dollars short of taking delivery of our new one.  Often, pickups or deliveries are scheduled or necessary when volunteers are simply not available and the stress of trying to get things scheduled with little to work with has given me pause.

Let me be more honest than some people will be comfortable with...aside from ending a sentence with a preposition.  The HeliOS Project serves the city of Austin and the surrounding area.  It is that city and that area that benefits from our labor.  To this point, the Linux Community has largely supported our efforts and for that I am extremely and forever grateful...but you are not being directly served.  The people of this area are.  We are going to talk with key elements of this population and seek funding.  If they don't see the value of what we do, then maybe it's not as valuable as we thought it to be.

We do have obligations to teach classes at different learning centers and will honor those.  As well, Our Texas Grandchildren, a foundation built by Carole Keeton Strayhorn, will take delivery of the 30 computers we promised them.  Aside from those commitments, we are going to stand down for a bit to see if we cannot find alternative ways of getting what we need in order to do what we do.

Of course, the Blog of helios will continue...probably at a greater rate now, so those who have noted the sparse postings, let me catch my breath and we'll get 'er done.

Again, please take a minute to enjoy this season.  We don't always have the luxury of catching up with the next one.

All-Righty Then

Linux Against Poverty 2010 is a go...

Folks, I sincerely apologize for my absence the past three weeks. Important family matters needed attention and I attended to them. Many of you have called and emailed but I was out of pocket for the duration. Again I apologize. I will catch up as time permits.

It was simply necessary.

But boy, do we have stuff to talk about.

First, we have made the move to our new location in Lakeway Texas. Lakeway is a small community about 30 minutes drive from my home and sits on Lake Travis. It gives us not only room to work but room to grow...and that's a good thing.

Our new address is:

The HeliOS Project
2009 Ranch Road 620 North
Suite 530
Lakeway, Texas 78734
512 739 9707

We want to specifically thank Skip Guenter, Tom King and Jean-Claude Magras for their help in getting us moved and organized.

Of course, organized is relative and it shouldn't take me long to turn it into a shambles again. Trust me.





Now...for the important stuff. Lynn Bender of geekaustin.org has announced that he is beginning preparations for LInux Against Poverty 2010. I was pleasantly surprised to find that 25 people volunteered for the event within an hour of the announcement. That is roughly half of the geek/tech workforce we were graciously provided during the last event. As if this writing, there are 55 signed up to help....but that's good. we're shooting to double our machine intake from last year.

Lynn has some fairly spectacular options open to him for this years event but until they are locked down, I've been asked not to be too specific. The event is scheduled for the 16th of May this year. If you wish to participate in LAP this go-around, please leave your comments here or email me helios at fixedbylinux dott Komm. We'll get you slotted into a place where you feel you can do the most good.

There is also a google group for installers and hardware folks if you are interested in joining. Just ask for an invite. There is also a Facebook page for the 2010 event as well so you can RSVP when you are ready.

And it is at this time that I must announce to retirement of our beloved old Isuzu Rodeo. Thanks to Tano Garcia, we got an extra 20K out of the old girl after what seemed to be a terminal breakdown. Tano, at his own cost; replaced the crankshaft, clutch, throw-out bearing and other parts. All we had to pay was a partial 300 dollar mechanic's fee to do the work. Tano paid the rest. Bless his heart.

We now are in the process of gaining a new vehicle.

The same guy, Tano Garcia; has a mechanic's lien on a completely rebuilt 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This vehicle has a rebuilt motor, Transmission and replaced differential.

He's selling it to us for the remaining bill on the Jeep. I've already given him $800.00 of my money as a down payment on it but we are short $1800.00 to take delivery. We have applied for several grants in the past few months but with this economy, the competition is fierce and we have yet to be awarded one. If you are in the position to help us get our vehicle, we would be extremely appreciative. And as always, donations can be made via the link at the top left of this page.

We are having a meet and greet at the shop this Saturday afternoon...just a few Linux geeks getting together to look the place over and talk about upcoming events such as Linux against Poverty.  You are welcome to come out and we'll order some pizza and pass the time.  We might mess around and even enjoy it.  Come out and see our new digs.

So, we are almost caught up on what's been going on. Coming soon is a cool story about a family that reached their pain threshold and made the migration to Linux. Also, if I get the information, we'll talk about a visiting Scotsman that was hit by the Linux Thunderbolt and switched within a few minutes of playing with the Live CD.

Stay Tooned.

All-Righty Then