[GRLUG] Possibilty of creating a nonprofit orgination

[Bill Littlejohn]

fyi
Grand Rapids has already issued an RFP for public WiFi depoyment.
http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=3379


Matt Michielsen wrote:
> How about starting a non-profit to run an affordable wireless ISP?  I 
> mean, we could provide PC's too, but the monthly fee is what's going 
> to turn off people with fixed incomes.  Obviously, it would have to be 
> a fairly limited speed, with P2P stuff blocked.  Maybe it could even 
> be free like Google's or like some cities have.
>
> -mm
>
> On 10/24/06, *Bill Littlejohn* <billl at mtd-inc.com 
> <mailto:billl at mtd-inc.com>> wrote:
>
>     Bill Creswell wrote:
>     >
>     > Let's not forget whether there is a market. I used to have P2's and
>     > P3's around my house to give away, but find very few people who
>     want a
>     > computer that do not have one.
>     I think this is because people tend to associate the usefulness of the
>     computer with access to the internet. It is seen as a
>     communication tool
>     first and foremost. People with the disposable income for an ISP
>     tend to
>     have a computer already (new or secondhand), and those that do not -
>     tend to not want one.
>     I would suggest that GRLUG pc's be 'advertised' first as
>     educational and
>     fun, second as an 'easier and more secure' way to get on the
>     internet.
>     In my experience there are many kids 7-15 that are denied the computer
>     time they want because their family only has one flaky Windows pc, and
>     they don't want it pushed over the edge, or the parent understands
>     how
>     likely it is for their kid to get exposed to various nasties.
>     I think a full Edubuntu install would work for both the family that
>     wants the kids safer, and the ones who probably can't get internet
>     access, but it would depend on the presentation to drive interest.
>     Bill
>
>
>
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