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A Linux developer is organizing volunteers for a public “Web station” project to assist Hurricane Katrina victims.
Steve Hargadons plan is to create numerous Linux-based public kiosks that boot directly into the Firefox browser and display a special home page with links to various services.
In addition to offering disaster relief information and news, the kiosks will provide basic e-mail capabilities via Yahoo, Gmail, Earthlink, MS Hotmail, and other Web mail services.
Hargadon has already launched www.publicwebstations.com, which explains the simple process of setting up a public Web station.
Through DIYparts.org, Hargadon plans to coordinate the aggregation and distribution of computer equipment needed to create ad hoc thin client networks and other communication centers that will assist and support the public Web stations project.
What is needed
“Some of us … have computer equipment we want to get rid of. Some of us have media access. Some of us have programming skills. Some of us have bandwidth. Some of us have contacts in the business community. Some of us are active in LUGs (Linux User Groups).
“Some of us know fundraisers or are in the position to be financial donors. This is an opportunity to show the power of open-source code and community,” volunteer Christian Einfeldt said in an e-mail.