You’re a good bunch You Pinguins!

You’re a good bunch, you Penguins.

Through your efforts and compassion, reader Karl Steenblik has
found a new electronic home for the Foundation for Children and Youth With
Diabetes. I’ll let Karl tell you which offered solution suited his needs. But,
with the volume of responses his request for help generated, it’s almost
irrelevant. As I expected, we came together as a community and collectively
offered him many viable choices from which to pick a solution that would work
for the kids. The global scope of your concern and our collective ability to
effect a change has humbled me once again. Just when you start to get a little
callous about the ‘Net …

Accordingly, I’d like to sketch out an idea with you that can be an ongoing part

of Penguin Shell. It’s an open discussion, really, about how we can further put
our technical skills (be they Linux or Windows skills) to work for a good

cause. I’m proposing that we start an organized volunteer effort, based in the
Penguin Shell readership, to provide volunteer technical services to worthwhile
charitable organizations. First, we need a Skills”>skills to a good cause. Finally, we’ll need some suggestions as to
the charitable Aicardi Syndrome Foundation.
Though I don’t currently know their technical needs, I do know that the syndrome

is very rare - read “research and technical dollars are minimal.” I’m sure we
can, as a group, provide them a way to fill existing technical holes.

That’s just a suggestion. Feel free to use the mailto links above to make
others.

Over the next few weeks, I plan on modifying my current favorite blogging
program, GeekLog
to pull together a community project area where interested parties can gather,
coordinate and discuss whatever this project might become. I’ll keep you posted
on the details.

In one of the earliest issues of Penguin Shell, I told a story about Emperor
Penguins - how they huddle together on the shore, knowing that their protection
from predators lies in sheer numbers. When one takes the leap into the water,
all the others follow; individual involvement for the good of the community.

Where could the analogy possibly be more fitting?

Tony
Steidler-Dennison