Geeks Give Katrina Love

Donate, donate...what?

If I we're a bit younger, or perhaps simply without family responsibilities, I would have joined the hands-on effort in rehabilitating New Orleans from the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina.  Unfortunately, being married, a father of two and a home-owner doesn't really lend itself to those kind of spontaneous trips.  So, I donated some money to the Red Cross....and then again to the Bush-Clinton Hurricane Relief Fund during the Giants-Saints game on Monday night.  The outpouring of cash has been record-breaking.  Of course, this is great.  It enables all of those who can (or have to) make the trip to have the resources that they need.  As someone I know in the region likes to remind others through his IM here message, "Donate more."

Of course, there's only so much cash anyone can donate.  That leaves time, brain power, creativity and stuff.  Here's where the tech community has really stepped up.  Two communities that have helped each other help Katrina victims are PublicWebStations.com and DIYparts.org.

PublicWebStations.com is helping collect used computer and network gear to create ad-hoc on-the-spot public points of presence where people can get on-line.  It almost sounds trivial, but so many people and businesses have now built their lives around electronic communication that this is a true gift.  They will provide communication for the displaced, a web browser to apply for aid - for those who now may not have a phone, and a place for relief workers to check-in.  Amazing.

So, now that you've donated some cash, donate spare computer parts to publicwebstations.com and DIYparts.org.  Be creative.  Donate more.