Olympic Softworks & P.A.C.T : Training and Technology for Everyone

Home

About Us

Our Charter

How we can help
your organization

Links to our
area partners

Olympic Softworks'
* F/OSS Forums *

GNU/Linux Links

GNU/Linux Games

GNU/Linux News

Ubuntu Multimedia

Geeky Stuff

Weekly Classes

Online Video

Are you new to GNU/Linux or thinking of trying it?

Latest Updates

Sep 6
-   Online Videos
Sep 23
-   Multimedia
-   Dev Corner
Oct 6
-   Geek Stuff
-   GNU/Linux News

Olympic Softworks recommends Ubuntu GNU/Linux

Olympic Softworks Charter

Olympic Softworks is a not for profit organization headquartered in Olympia, Washington for the purpose of advancing the use of Free and Open Source Software(FOSS). In following our purpose we serve the public need in several ways simultaneously.

Our absolute commitment is to making the pacific northwest a major hub in the GNU/Linux landscape. In order for this to become a reality we need to increase the general public's knowledge of, and access to, computer technology.

To this end we will provide free public forums where your questions can be answered about using GNU/Linux as an operating system for home computers, about what exactly is GNU/Linux and the FOSS culture, what it can do for you, and how it is different from proprietary software such as Microsoft Windows and Apple's OS.

We will accept donations of computers and hardware and recycle them by wiping their hard drives and installing GNU/Linux onto them. Making sure they have the following functions: Network, Video, Sound, and for those who require it, a Modem. We believe that the Ubuntu distribution of GNU/Linux is the best choice for these machines and proudly use it exclusively. We will provide these computers to people and organizations that need them for little or no cost.

We will solicit donations from private individuals and commercial institutions equally. Once we achieve non-profit status we can offer a receipt to businesses that can be used to write off a portion of the donation's value for tax purposes. Obviously the more hardware we are gifted with, the less we have to buy and the less we need to charge for these machines. This is also a good way to be 'Green', a machine donated to us does not go into a landfill, instead it goes into the home of someone that needs it or into a local small business.

Olympic Softworks will provide public training on the use of GNU/Linux as an operating system and on the use of the Free and Open Source Software(FOSS) that comprise the GNU/Linux landscape. This includes but is not limited to office productivity, multimedia, graphics, programming, migration from Windows, and basically anything regarding GNU/Linux, Free and Open Source Software, or computer hardware! These will be conducted by a professional that is well versed in GNU/Linux, FOSS, and issues related to the FOSS landscape. This training will be provided free at a regularly scheduled time and place.

To finance our operations we offer Information Technology services focused on Desktop Workstations and Networking to individuals, businesses, and other not-for-profits. These efforts will largely revolve around FOSS technologies, but this should not in any way turn away those who require the use of Windows-only software. Machines running Microsoft Windows can be used side by side on a network with GNU/Linux machines and still share data and internet connectivity. This in no way compromises the security of these legacy machines, nor does it infringe upon their Windows License.

Olympic Softworks offers I.T. consulting services including but not limited to, GNU/Linux training, assisting migration to GNU/Linux from Windows, workstation software installation and configuration, up to and including network design and installation.

These are grand plans. It will take determination and the help of people locally to make this all work. The benefits to all of us in the pacific northwest are simply too great for this to not succeed.

Olympic Softworks Email address is inbox@olympicsoftworks.org

Our current public trainer is Dave Thompson. He facilitates the meeting with the Olympia Microcomputer Users Group in downtown Olympia at the senior center. Every tuesday from 7-9pm. Bring your questions and an open mind.