It's 1,100 systems and counting for open-source refurbishment advocates

It's almost back-to-school time here in New Jersey, so I thought it appropriate to update the Installfest for Schools item that I covered in late May.

To refresh your collective memory, Untangle and the Alameda County Computer Resource Center got together at LinuxWorld earlier this month to encourage volunteers to refurbish old computers with free and open source software from Ubuntu/Canonical and Mozilla, with an eye to placing the systems in school districts that could use a little extra help. The Installfest was "manned" by volunteers from the Linux and open source communities.

At the most recent event, 750 computers were overhauled, configured and loaded up with open source software, bringing the total systems handled by the companies with intent to donate to 1,100. The amount may seem small, but highly public events like these are helping us rethink the concept of computer lifespans. Why shouldn't the philosophy of reincarnation apply to technology?

Here's more information about Installfest, where you can look into setting up your own events or you can nominate a school to receive refurbished systems.