PEPP’s leadership is aware that the use of technology can make organizing more effective in this rural area. People of low income are often left out of advances in technology and communication due to their economic situations. This has strengthened a commitment for PEPP to focus on utilizing computers and electronic information in an effort to strengthen organizing efforts through "Electronic Organizing", or "E-Organizing". E-Organizing is an on going project which began in the Fall of 1995 and focuses on making computer terminals, electronic information and on-line services accessible to people with low income in the Fargo/Moorhead area. The main goal of this project is to give people of low income access to the "Information Highway" by providing access to public computer sites, to develop trainings and to utilize this technology to build skills, enhance leadership and to create access to information that can help groups affect public policy. 

During 1998 and 1999, over 20 donated computers were refurbished and placed in the PEPP office, in offices in the PEPP building, and in the homes of grass-roots leaders. From the donated equipment and In-kind consultants, PEPP has developed a computer system that is capable of issuing personal e-mail addresses, Internet access and local on-line services. All organizations in the PEPP Building had access to this technology and training during 1998. 

Goals of Technology and Organizing

Goal: Give people of low income access to the "Information Highway".

Result/Evaluation: To host and maintain computers at the PEPP building and by placing donated computers in the buildings offices, in the non-profit sector in Fargo/Moorhead and in neighborhoods where PEPP leaders reside. Solicit used and new computer equipment and place in grassroots groups that will focus on giving access to people without computers that have an interest to benefit from access to this technology. 

Goal: To utilize technology in community organizing to affect policy issues by utilizing on-line services, e-mail, the Internet, web pages and electronic conferences. 

Result/Evaluation: To make technology accessible and involve people with low income throughout the local community to create the power to effect policy by giving input to policy makers. Hold local issue forums and on-line trainings for issues that are present. Participate in issue campaigns to access legislation, utilize e-mail actions, teach and utilize web page construction to affect public opinion by utilizing Internet technology.

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Draft Proposal 

PEPP is requesting 40 used computer systems with monitors to be used for a computer recycling program. The goal is to place 40 good, used computer systems in the Fargo Moorhead community that will have a distribution of Linux running on them. The computers would need to be at least a 486 66mhz or better with 16 Mb of RAM or more, modem, cd-rom, floppy drive and VGA monitor. Printers will also be sought.

The goal would be to also access sponsors that would underwrite the costs for a year of dial-up Internet service for each of the units. Recipients would receive training from PEPP and be part of the E-organizing network and commit to sharing information and keeping others informed about community events and poverty issues.

For several years, several dedicated volunteers have donated time and expertise in the area of refurbishing computers and training PEPP members and staff how to use the Linux operating system. Through local  expertise, PEPP has developed an e-mail system and network in the PEPP building that utilizes the Linux operating system. Linux is part of the free software movement, which combines the talent and input from users around the world. Linux users use the operating system and refine it, add to it, and redistribute the system to anyone who realizes the value. The PEPP organization is just beginning to use Linux and realizing great potential. 

For the past three years we have tried to appeal to the nameless, faceless individuals and companies that have good computer equipment sitting around gathering dust. We have tried to encourage them to donate the equipment to PEPP and then we would create a computer loan project that would allow individuals and small organizations utilize computers, the Internet and e-mail. We had hoped that we could train individuals and groups and then "loan them the computer for a set period of time and expect them to use the Internet and e-mail to better affect policy issues and also keep better connected with PEPP.

This component of the E-Organizing project has been slow moving. We have been able to get more than 20 computers refurbished and out into the community, however, many of them have been very outdated, slow and without good software. In fact we have put the machines out there with copied DOS Operating systems on them and outdated Windows 3.1. Even though these operating systems and Windows 3.1 are outdated, Microsoft still owns the license on the software and technically we should buy the software licenses for each of the computers it is installed on which would run about $100 per computer. When businesses have donated machines to us, the assume that we will take care of the software needs. To have the "new" operating system called Microsoft Windows 98, you have to pay someone nearly $200. We are planning to install a Linux operating system on these recycled computers. Linux is more stable, more reliable and more useful than the Microsoft operating systems and it can do much more and run on slower and older machines, Windows 98 or 95 cannot.

Back to PEPP

Updated 11-1-2000

We plan to develop our own non-advertisement ridden, free e-mail service, a sliding fee scale ISP and Linux box computer recycling program.
 
 

All we need are about 40 suitable computer systems, enough funds for the overhead costs of the server and ISP costs and plenty of volunteers and consultants.

The goal would be to also access sponsors that would underwrite the costs for a year of dial-up Internet service for each of the units. Recipients would receive training from PEPP and be part of the E-organizing network and commit to sharing information and keeping others informed about community events and poverty issues.

We are planning to install a Linux operating system on these recycled computers. Linux is more stable, more reliable and more useful than the Microsoft operating systems and it can do much more and run on slower and older machines, Windows 98 or 95 cannot.