[Rubyforchange-talk] Some Thoughts

[Alan Sobel]

I was really happy to see the Ruby for Change group start up.  I think 
its a great use of the skills.

I wanted to contribute a few thoughts on things we could do.  I’ve 
incorporated a number of ideas I found going through the list archives 
(you will recognize yours), starting with a line that Chad wrote.


we are smart, passionate people applying our creative and analytical 
minds to real problems

we are knowledgeable about computers, computer applications, the 
internet and the web

we have knowledge of operating systems and off the shelf application; 
ways in which applications, the internet and the web can be usefully 
employed; the benefits of open source

because of our tech skills we are able to contribute in a unique way 
that many people can not.

in many cases, knowledge and expertise that we assume as common 
knowledge among ourselves is not common among other folks, and would be 
very interesting and valuable to them

bottom line:

we have a wide variety of tech expertise, that can be used in a wide 
variety of settings, in a wide variety of roles, with a wide variety of 
time commitments

-----------------------------

* we can provide running code, advice, expertise, suggestions, 
recommendations, mentoring and tutoring

* we can be involved directly in our local community or over the net

* we can contribute as

- individuals

- groups

* we can act as

- coders

- advisors

- facilitators

- marshallers

- advocates

- mentors

* we can contribute by

- directly coding projects

- offering advice, expertise, suggestions, recommendations to the 
‘technology committees’ of local schools, community organizations and 
local governments

- offering mentoring and tutoring to local school kids and community 
organization volunteers

- speaking out in community forums on tech-related issues such as open 
source and net neutrality

-------------------------------------------

we can establish a sustainable process for making a real impact on real 
problems

we can use the web site to

- express the range of options for what may be possible

- get folks thinking

- record what folks are actually doing

- exchange information

we can use our tech skills to improve the lives of other folks


Alan Sobel



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