No subject

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From:  <des at greenh.co.uk>

Hi there,

I'm writing as per the guidance above as I think this may be of
interest to many UK Lugmasters.

It's about the Race Online 2012 - an in initiative to get 9 million
people on-line who aren't at present.
The pilots which ran at the beginning of the year were about getting
recycled PCs pre-loaded with Linux out to people. Since then the usual
players have got involved and it's looking like becoming a well
publicised roll-out under the MAR scheme.

I've spoken to the chap responsible for the 'technical' side of things
in the scheme and he agrees that the key part to  making the scheme
work (and be sustainable) is that people who are getting computers and
going on-line for the first time need help and support with every part
of that process, not just being handed old PCs with a 'free' copy of
Windows on it and a broadband connection discounted for a few months.

The LUGs around the country could be a great help in a scheme like
this. Also, the chap at the office seemed to understand that if LUG
members were to be involved they would probably want to help people
with Linux PCs, not ones loaded with other software. Importantly, they
don't seem to have a problem with this. It would also give the LUGs
countrywide promotion to a large chunk of the mainstream, general
public.

So, do you think this may be of interest?
If not, thanks for taking the time to read this!
If so, what do you think would be a good way to progress? If someone
wants to contact me to discuss this further I can be reached at
des at greenh.co.uk or on 07970 95 00 70.

Hope to hear from you soon

Thanks and best regards, Des Gregory

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