We'll have a Geek booth in the Media Democracy Fair during Media Democracy Day 2008. Come and say hello to live geeks if you're in the neighbourhood!

• When: Sat. Oct. 25th, noon - 6pm 
  
• Where: Vancouver Public Library (central branch at Robson & Homer) [MAP]

All panels and workshops at the conference are free! [CLICK HERE] for the full schedule. Details about the afterparty are there as well!

Free Your Computer, Free Yourself -

Practical steps to getting on the road to liberation with free software

• When: Sat. Oct. 25th, 1:45-3:00pm 
  
• Where: Pete Room, Vancouver Public Library (central branch at Robson & Homer) [MAP]
• This workshop is free! No preregistration required, though seating is limited.
  

***[CLICK HERE FOR MAP]***

Get more mileage out of your Halloween costume: 

Saturday November 1

Ubuntu 8.10 Release Costume Party

304 Victoria Drive (at Franklin), Doors at 7:30pm

Come celebrate the new release of the latest version of Ubuntu, 'INTREPID IBEX"

Cost: FREE; pizza is by donation 

ACTIVITIES:

• Ubuntu 8.10 installs and upgrades
• Demo machines to get a taste of Intrepid Ibix
• Copy machine to burn your own cds of the new release
• Costume contest: Geekiest costume/s will receive pizza gift certificate!!
• Bring snacks to share if you like
• Pizza provided (vegan, veggie and carnivore delight); please bring a cash donation to help cover your slice!

Free Geek is almost entirely volunteer-based; in fact, we have over 700 volunteers. You don't need computer experience; we'll teach you everything you need to know. If you have skills, that's great too!

HOW DO I START?

All volunteers are required to complete an orientation before they start volunteering. Orientations happen at Free Geek Wednesday and Saturday at 4:00 sharp, and take about 45 min. Please arrive at our phone desk by 4pm so we can start on time. You don't need to phone ahead for an orientation; just show up.

WHEN CAN I VOLUNTEER?

Volunteers come in from Tuesday to Saturday. You will be able to volunteer when it's convenient for you; just let us know so we can put you on the schedule. You don't have to volunteer the same day all the time, or a set number of hours per month. We're flexible, and just happy you want to help out.

HOW DO I GET A FREE COMPUTER?

If you need a computer, you can get into our Computer Adoption Program. Basically, after you accumulate 24 hours of time helping out at Free Geek, you get a free refurbished desktop computer (system, monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers). We call this computer a GeekBox; it will be running Ubuntu Linux and come with all the programs you need to do most everything. We also give you a class on how to use it, as well as ongoing technical support. Just let us know at your orientation that you want to be enrolled in the Adoption Program.

Please note that you can't volunteer for parts. Adoption computers are standard desktop systems only; we are unable to customize them. If there are additional things you need (like a printer, or more RAM, etc) you will get a discount in the Computer Thrift Store. (Please note: laptops cannot be adopted as we don't get enough for everyone to have one.)

I WANT TO VOLUNTEER BUT I DON'T NEED A COMPUTER.

That's great! Just let us know at your orientation. We'll still keep track of your hours for our statistics.

WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO?

There are a wide variety of things we need help with. No computer experience is necessary. If you have computer skills we can certainly use your help as well.

Priorities change from day-to-day at Free Geek. But we need regular help testing, sorting, dismantling and refurbishing equipment, dealing with incoming gear, as well as some administrative work and organising. Believe it or not, many of these activities can be done by people new to computers, with a little support. If you would like to contribute skills like programming or teaching, please let us know. 

Most importantly, we need you to have fun while you're here! We have a wide variety of people at Free Geek, with different strengths, backgrounds and abilities. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding accessibility.

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS!

Massive Tech Trade Show

Tues Apr 1 from 9-5pm at the Vancouver Convention Centre (the white sails downtown)

We're booth 116, come visit us!!
We have complimentary tradeshow passes for anyone who would like them.

You can validate a ticket for yourself [HERE]

Once you validate the ticket online you won't have to pay the $29 when you
get to the Convention Centre -- just find the area for people who already
have tickets and they can look you up.

Unfortunately we don't have free tickets to the speaker's conference, but if you do plan to go, check out Ifny's panel at 11am "The Economics of Going Green."