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Major Linux Hardware Donor Is a CNN "Hero"

Posted by kdawson on from the making-a-difference dept.

christian.einfeldt writes "James Burgett of the Alameda County Computer Resource Center calls himself a 'tattooed freak' and a recovering drug addict, but CNN is calling him a hero (video) for diverting tons of computers from landfills, installing Ubuntu Linux on them, and giving them out to schools, non-profits, and poor people. Burgett's filmed interview is currently leading a CNN contest among videos of 'ordinary people' whom CNN considers everyday heroes, narrowly edging out the video of a man who is saving gorillas from extinction. In his interview, Burgett points out that the people working for him are also recovering drug addicts or recovering mental illness patients." Update: 10/02 23:46 GMT by KD : Reader stefanlasiewski posted a journal article describing how, bewilderingly, the state of California is threatening to shut down Burgett's ACCRC.

15 of 341 comments (clear)

  1. He realized he'd hit bottom... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...when he found himself in a public washroom installing Vista for $20.

    (just kidding...keep up the great work!).

    1. Re:He realized he'd hit bottom... by AuMatar · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ewww. There's things you can do in a public bathroom for money that are far less degrading.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
  2. You don't have to be crazy.. by onkelonkel · · Score: 4, Funny

    You don't have to be crazy to install Linux

    but it helps!

    sorry... old joke...couldn't resist

    --
    None of them can see the clouds; The polished wings don't care.
  3. Re:Terminology by Scrameustache · · Score: 4, Funny

    The term "Linux hardware" is as non-sensical as "Windows hardware" (something I've never heard or seen either). Feast your eyes on this: http://www.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2007/05/20070529-windowskey-f1.jpg
    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  4. I know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Get the gorrillas to start using linux. That would surely win the top prize then.

  5. Re:Weird by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    How do you figure protecting half the world's mountain gorillas, at constant risk of being killed himself, is "useful"?

    Noble? yes.
    Useful? What use do you plan to put these gorillas to? Personally, whatever you have in mind, I think it is wrong. These gorillas should be allowed to live in peace instead of being enslaved or turned into fashionable yet durable manufactured goods. You are a bad person.

  6. Re:He says vote for someone else ;) by Rakarra · · Score: 5, Funny
    "Vote for the gorillas. 25 grand and fame that id probably just piss away anyway is not worth a specie.".

    This guy really is heroic!! James, you have my vote!

  7. Re:He says vote for someone else ;) by Chyeld · · Score: 3, Funny

    Most of them are asking you to vote for the gorillas.

  8. Re:Anyone that distributes Linux to the masses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is just an ideological issue, and as such, it is completly irrelevant and, may I add, fanatical. It's like saying: everyone who helps spreading GOD'S word, the Holy Bible, is a heroe. Well, (s)he may be a hero for some, for others, he may be a zero, and for some others an idiot. Nothing against Linuzzz, but there is nothing HEROICAL in distributing it, it's just a work of charity because the guy is actually working for the community distributing computers (independently of which sequency of bites there are worning on it). MODERATORS! He speaks of blasphemy! Moderate him down with the power the lord gaveth you!
  9. Re:Anyone that distributes Linux to the masses by Glonoinha · · Score: 5, Funny

    "In his interview, Burgett points out that the people working for him are also recovering drug addicts or recovering mental illness patients"
    Or as we call them on Slashdot, 'Linux System Administrators'.

    --
    Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
  10. Re:But by cez · · Score: 5, Funny

    hear hear... and you can bet your ass someone at gorilladot.org just learned what Ubuntu is!

    --
    Walk with Music;
  11. Re:Weird by SeaFox · · Score: 4, Funny

    How do you figure protecting half the world's mountain gorillas, at constant risk of being killed himself, isn't "useful"? With all due respect to Ubuntu, that strikes me as at least as important as supervising a bunch of Linux installs.

    Maybe Ubuntu will find some way to show their appreciation to the runner up in their "Gracious Gorilla" release.

  12. Re:Anyone that distributes Linux to the masses by LarsG · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or as they were called on usenet, members of the Scary Devil Monastery.

    --
    If J.K.R wrote Windows: Puteulanus fenestra mortalis!
  13. Re:Anyone that distributes Linux to the masses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    This isn't a dis on Windows, but why the heck are you proud of doing the same thing that 90% of everyone else does?
    You're missing the important part. 90% of everyone is working with Windows, but GP has made the rare accomplishment of being happy while doing so.

  14. Re:Weird by TooMuchToDo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fuck humans. What have they ever done except fuck the planet six ways to Sunday?