Just got back from helping the local Linux Users Group wire a local school. There was actually no Linux involved, as the school doesn’t yet have computers, which is probably just as well, since they don’t have electricity. (They also have no floor tiles, no ceiling tiles, no plumbing, and needless to say, no landscaping. And yes, they’re scheduled to open in three weeks.) But there was lots of wiring, and I learned all about how to run Ethernet cable through the ceiling, away from the flourescent lights (because they create interference), and down the walls.
After 10 hours, Dora and I finally gave up and came home. They still had at least an hour of work left, maybe two, but we couldn’t give any more, so we left. All told, the team did over 80 “drops” (cable installations complete from server room to network wall jack) in one day. Not bad for a group of motley volunteers.
At some point (preferably once the computers have arrived), the users group will come back and set up all the workstations with RedHat Linux 7.1. I want to be there for that. I’m just not cut out for all this manual labor.
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© 2001–9 Mark Pilgrim