Breaking all the way up with big tech means breaking up with MacOS and Windows on our laptops. Linux is the most user-friendly option, but it can be quite hard to install. This is a workshop for people who've already decided to install Linux on their laptop, and the only goal of the workshop is to install Linux on our laptops!

You will need:

One laptop (not a Macbook unless you're *super* sure it works with Linux, because most do not)
One laptop charger
Please backup everything you want to save from the laptop before the event
Your favorite deep breathing exercises (installing Linux can be frustrating)

Organizers will:

Do a 5 minute intro
Get to work installing Linux on our laptops

Organizers will provide:

Flash drives for installing Linux Mint
A few blank flash drives for installing other distros
Please bring your own flash drive if you want to do something extra fancy

Organizers will not:

Facilitate a group discussion
Help participants dual-boot Windows and Linux (it is a terrible experience)

This workshop will be facilitated by the members of Bunk Computer Cooperative. They'll be there to help you along the way.

If you're looking for a good, cheap, used Linux-laptop to bring to the event, here's some options:

Trek over to The GRID in Charlotte and buy one off the shelf
Order one from The GRID on Ebay
Find one on local Craigslist

Be sure and do a cursory internet search to confirm it works with Linux before buying. Don't get a Macbook! Laptops that are a few years old are much more likely to have good Linux support.

Bunk Computer Cooperative is a worker-owned cooperative. They build private computing infrastructure for businesses, non-profits, and individuals in Western North Carolina. https://bunk.computer

The organizer of this event marked it kid-friendly. 😛