After the first Linux Install Party went so well, we're going to start doing this on a more regular basis - we're shooting for every two months currently.
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@tinker this is great... I wonder if I could setup something like that with a couple of friends in my region? Do you have a return of experience on the typical things that needs to be explained, the usual problems that happen and stuff like that? Hardware things that will definitely not work, typical alternative workflows you share?
@wowsuchcyber - Absolutely!
So here is a thread on a general how-to: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/116171867757917404
And here is a thread of the first one we did with lessons learned: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/115515106175684621
Check through the various hashtags like #installparty and #linuxinstallpary for other folks doing similar things!
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@wowsuchcyber - Absolutely!
So here is a thread on a general how-to: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/116171867757917404
And here is a thread of the first one we did with lessons learned: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/115515106175684621
Check through the various hashtags like #installparty and #linuxinstallpary for other folks doing similar things!
@tinker oh wow! Excellent, thanks!
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@tinker oh wow! Excellent, thanks!
@wowsuchcyber - Cheers! Let me know if you have any questions or need guidance in the mean time! Have fun spinning it up!
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@jackson_sweater @tinker @fennix
adding in the free laptops is an excellent goal. reminds me of #freegeek in portland. very likely there is a practically endless supply of "obsolete" (to the corporate world) hardware you can get your hands on, as long as you can convince them your idea is better than a landfill. 🥴 https://www.freegeek.org/
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After the first Linux Install Party went so well, we're going to start doing this on a more regular basis - we're shooting for every two months currently.
Date: Saturday, March 21st 2026
Time: 1:00pm to 5:30pm
Location: Howell Library Branch
Address: 806 Lyons Boulevard, Fredericksburg VA 22406
More Info: https://fxbginstall.party/Fees and Cost: Totally free. This is a library event. We have a couple librarians and a lot of volunteers. No subscriptions. No paid licenses. No tips or donations.
We're offering free installations of Linux Mint Operating System onto any laptop or computer! We're also there to help troubleshoot or offer guidance for previously installed Linux systems.
Long and short, if you:
- Want to use a modern, secure, private, and user friendly operating system that works with almost every laptop and computer made.
- No longer want to pay Microsoft for a license to use their software.
- No longer want to worry about AI and invasive monitoring of your PC.
- Have a perfectly good laptop or computer that you just want to keep using.
- Don't want to have to deal with new updates making your laptop no longer usable.
- Have an older laptop that you want get running again.Join us at the Linux Install Party!
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Note: The installation will erase your harddrive and install a clean "factory" installation of Linux onto your computer. Please make backups of any photos or files before bringing your laptop to the party.
Further Note: While we are experts and have a lot of experience doing this, because of the variety of computers out there and the number of variables that exist, the installation may fail. We will do our best and due diligence to get it working. While we expect all installations to succeed, some may not and the attempt may break your laptop. You'll sign a waiver and release form before the installation process. Please participate at your own discretion.
I want to highlight something as it relates to starting up new community groups - whether it be this Linux Install Party or a Food group or whatever...
Folks often worry that they will have to do it all on their own. But I've found that once you get something going, other folks in town will come help out. If you do the work of getting a place, loosely organizing it, and providing the basic tools needed, plenty of folks will show up to lend a hand.
To put it another way, many people are looking for ways to help or to hang out or to just make their town better. And they're just waiting at home for someone to give them something to do.
If you do the part of giving them something to do, they'll help you out.
For example, look at this screenshot. I just posted the Linux Install Party in the town's sub reddit. It was NOT a call for volunteers. It was just a posting about the event and welcoming folks to come hang out.
And someone posted up wanting to help out with the event.
This happens all the time, no matter what type of event. Just put something together. Have a place, a time, and the things you want to do. And others will help you out.
#solarPunk #community #mutualAid
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@Clutha - MacBooks can be wonky when it comes to Linux installs. That said, its totally doable, just takes a bit more work and may need some troubleshooting.
If you end up doing it and need help, post it up and tag me. Either I or someone else in the fediverse will help out!
Here is a solid guide: https://medium.com/@aleksej.gudkov/how-to-run-linux-on-an-old-mac-pro-db5477dd0c9b
Here is another similar guide: https://www.linuxnest.com/how-to-install-linux-on-a-macbook-m1-m2-m3-intel-the-complete-2025-guide/
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After the first Linux Install Party went so well, we're going to start doing this on a more regular basis - we're shooting for every two months currently.
Date: Saturday, March 21st 2026
Time: 1:00pm to 5:30pm
Location: Howell Library Branch
Address: 806 Lyons Boulevard, Fredericksburg VA 22406
More Info: https://fxbginstall.party/Fees and Cost: Totally free. This is a library event. We have a couple librarians and a lot of volunteers. No subscriptions. No paid licenses. No tips or donations.
We're offering free installations of Linux Mint Operating System onto any laptop or computer! We're also there to help troubleshoot or offer guidance for previously installed Linux systems.
Long and short, if you:
- Want to use a modern, secure, private, and user friendly operating system that works with almost every laptop and computer made.
- No longer want to pay Microsoft for a license to use their software.
- No longer want to worry about AI and invasive monitoring of your PC.
- Have a perfectly good laptop or computer that you just want to keep using.
- Don't want to have to deal with new updates making your laptop no longer usable.
- Have an older laptop that you want get running again.Join us at the Linux Install Party!
----------
Note: The installation will erase your harddrive and install a clean "factory" installation of Linux onto your computer. Please make backups of any photos or files before bringing your laptop to the party.
Further Note: While we are experts and have a lot of experience doing this, because of the variety of computers out there and the number of variables that exist, the installation may fail. We will do our best and due diligence to get it working. While we expect all installations to succeed, some may not and the attempt may break your laptop. You'll sign a waiver and release form before the installation process. Please participate at your own discretion.
@tinker Beware the T2 chipped intel MacBook https://t2linux.org
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I want to highlight something as it relates to starting up new community groups - whether it be this Linux Install Party or a Food group or whatever...
Folks often worry that they will have to do it all on their own. But I've found that once you get something going, other folks in town will come help out. If you do the work of getting a place, loosely organizing it, and providing the basic tools needed, plenty of folks will show up to lend a hand.
To put it another way, many people are looking for ways to help or to hang out or to just make their town better. And they're just waiting at home for someone to give them something to do.
If you do the part of giving them something to do, they'll help you out.
For example, look at this screenshot. I just posted the Linux Install Party in the town's sub reddit. It was NOT a call for volunteers. It was just a posting about the event and welcoming folks to come hang out.
And someone posted up wanting to help out with the event.
This happens all the time, no matter what type of event. Just put something together. Have a place, a time, and the things you want to do. And others will help you out.
#solarPunk #community #mutualAid
@tinker where are these events held? I'd love to be apart of it.
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I want to highlight something as it relates to starting up new community groups - whether it be this Linux Install Party or a Food group or whatever...
Folks often worry that they will have to do it all on their own. But I've found that once you get something going, other folks in town will come help out. If you do the work of getting a place, loosely organizing it, and providing the basic tools needed, plenty of folks will show up to lend a hand.
To put it another way, many people are looking for ways to help or to hang out or to just make their town better. And they're just waiting at home for someone to give them something to do.
If you do the part of giving them something to do, they'll help you out.
For example, look at this screenshot. I just posted the Linux Install Party in the town's sub reddit. It was NOT a call for volunteers. It was just a posting about the event and welcoming folks to come hang out.
And someone posted up wanting to help out with the event.
This happens all the time, no matter what type of event. Just put something together. Have a place, a time, and the things you want to do. And others will help you out.
#solarPunk #community #mutualAid
@tinker This! people can be amazing, the number of times I've seen people come into the repair cafe to get something fixed and then end up helping someone else while they are there is wonderful. Even people who've turned up early and help us set up the space when they could just sit there and wait.
Humans are a lot better than those with a vested interest in keeping us apart would have us think.
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@tinker Beware the T2 chipped intel MacBook https://t2linux.org
@humanhorseshoes - Cheers for the resource! Yeah, Macs can be goofy with Linux.
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@tinker where are these events held? I'd love to be apart of it.
@Kosei - So we're down in Fredericksburg and its held at various library branches. Tomorrows is here: https://www.librarypoint.org/locations/howell/
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I want to highlight something as it relates to starting up new community groups - whether it be this Linux Install Party or a Food group or whatever...
Folks often worry that they will have to do it all on their own. But I've found that once you get something going, other folks in town will come help out. If you do the work of getting a place, loosely organizing it, and providing the basic tools needed, plenty of folks will show up to lend a hand.
To put it another way, many people are looking for ways to help or to hang out or to just make their town better. And they're just waiting at home for someone to give them something to do.
If you do the part of giving them something to do, they'll help you out.
For example, look at this screenshot. I just posted the Linux Install Party in the town's sub reddit. It was NOT a call for volunteers. It was just a posting about the event and welcoming folks to come hang out.
And someone posted up wanting to help out with the event.
This happens all the time, no matter what type of event. Just put something together. Have a place, a time, and the things you want to do. And others will help you out.
#solarPunk #community #mutualAid
addendum; I've tried to start a Good Thing that had worked in a different city and it didn't take in mine. Annoying and slightly embarassing, but hey, I tried.
Turning up and helping in everyone else's trying a thing is really relaxing now.
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addendum; I've tried to start a Good Thing that had worked in a different city and it didn't take in mine. Annoying and slightly embarassing, but hey, I tried.
Turning up and helping in everyone else's trying a thing is really relaxing now.
@clew - Fully get that.
I try to limit my bandwidth and effort at organizing to one or MAYBE two things. Anything else that I do is NOT in a leadership position, hahahaha!
