LUGOD and Davis Community Meals

In April 2004, LUGOD discovered that Davis Community Meals might benefit from some updates to their computer's hardware and software, and contacted DCM's executive director, Bill Pride.

Our first meeting with DCM was April 27, 2004. Discussion regarding the project typically takes place on our 'vox-outreach' mailing list.

Note: April 28th - due to an emergency, Trevor Lango, who had offered to head up this project, is no longer available. If you can help, please e-mail Bill Kendrick. Thanks!

What they need:

• Help configuring DSL
  They have an unused Omsoft DSL broadband Internet connection.

• Hardware upgrades
  They have 6 Pentium II 350MHz 128MB systems, with two P-III's coming.

• Word processor
  They currently use Microsoft Word. OpenOffice.org Writer may be sufficient for most of their needs, but it may be useful to keep Word available. (If switching to Linux, have one Windows PC, a dual-boot system, VMWare, or CrossOver Office available.) All of the volunteers do word processing.

  Interoporability with other organizations is important. OpenOffice.org's PDF export functionality may be suitable for outgoing documents.

• Technical support
  LUGOD volunteers may be helpful. If using OpenOffice.org or StarOffice, Sun's support may be suitable.

• Spreadsheet
  They currently use Microsoft Excel. OpenOffice.org Calc may be sufficient for some of their needs. Work has also been started to convert their Excel sheets into a Microsoft Access database. (If switching to Linux, definitely consider keeping Excel around.) Typically, only Bill Pride deals with spreadsheets.

• Mail merge
  They use Microsoft Office to produce mail-merged documents to send to donors, for fundraising, and to newsletter subscribers. OpenOffice.org may be suitable here.

• Adobe PDF viewer
  Some grant application forms are sent as PDF documents with fill-out forms. (If switching to Linux, Adobe's Acroread viewer should suffice, especially if printing is redirected to a PostScript or PDF output file, so that filled-out forms can be sent back via e-mail.)

LUGOD's Volunteers

• Matthew Lange
  May be able to help coordinate this project.

• Bill Kendrick
  Can provide assistance/direction for the project. Can help with kiosk configuration (if using KDE/Konqueror browser).

• Trevor Lango
  (Not available at this time; was initial coordinator)