[ale] Geek Gift Ideas for Radio Show Linux Promotion

[Charles Shapiro]

Oh wow this sounds like the start of a long thread. But heck, it's also a
beeg win for you and the local linux community. Make sure to talk about how
cheap a linux geek's wish list is compared to the average gadget-head.

Hmm. Fun hardware for any self-respecting geek:

*  Linksys WRT54GL wifi router (Make SURE to get the L model!). Throw away
the boring shipped software and put OpenWRT on it. Much networking fun.
* A music player that'll run rockbox ( http://www.rockbox.org/ )
* An OpenMoko Neo phone ( http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Main_Page ) The
Android is cute but kind of a loser for real openness -- my understanding is
that you can't actually work with the kernel or anything without hacking it
in one way or another.
* The Viral Computer: a USB memory stick and a Knoppix CD. All you need is
your roomate's/friend's/parent's PC and you're on your way.

Yeah, the N800 and OLPC are also cool but obvious, plus expensive. Arduinos
are really fun but you need to make sure the recipient is into hardware.

Hey, mention some BOOKS!

Cool computer language/library books (Lua! Python! Perl! GNU C! WxWidgets!
)
Linux in a Nutshell (First OReilly book!)
Fun Creative Commons politics books ( Lawrence Lessig, James Boyle, et alia)

Best ideas off the top of me head.

-- CHS


On Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 2:50 PM, aaron <aaron at pd.org> wrote:

> Hey ALE!
>
> WHAT LINUX RELATED OR SUPPORTED GEEK
> TOYS AND TOOLS ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR
> WISH LIST?
>
> I'm asking here because...
>
> I got a call yesterday from a gentleman named Gene Bright.
> He hosts a Radio Program that airs on several Georgia
> stations and is devoting an upcoming holiday season show
> to a focus on "Inexpensive Geek Gifts".
>
> He is inviting a guest from each of the main computer geek
> communities (windoze, mac & linux) to participate and offer
> suggestions, and I have accepted the invite to provide the
> Linux perspective for the taping next Tuesday (12/9) at 8pm.
>
> The top of my list will, of course, be recomnendations for
> gifts of Free and Freedom Friendly LINUX DISTROS and
> GPL OSS SOFTWARE disks as the best gifts any geek can
> get at any price (but still stressing the fact that all of the
> BEST Things in Life are FREE).
>
> For the rest of the list I wanted to welcome suggestions
> from all y'all!  So, again:
>
> WHAT LINUX RELATED OR SUPPORTED GEEK
> TOYS AND TOOLS ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR
> WISH LIST?
>
> You know -- gadgets that any self respecting geek
> would drool over!  OLPC?  EEEPC? NOKIA 810??
> Google Phone??  Arduino / Freeduino??  Penguin
> Plushes??
>
> This seems topical (and fun) enough that we can
> share the ideas on the list, but feel free to email me
> off list if prefered.
>
> Please try to include info on where to find, downlad
> or purchase the items and a general price range.
>
> Any and all geek gift ideas appreciated!
>
> peace
> aaron
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> Ale at ale.org
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>
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