FREE GEEK BURGLARIZED

November 18, 2006 Early on the morning of Saturday, November 18, 2006, much of Free Geek's most valuable inventory was stolen from its Southeast Portland facility. The value of the stolen hardware has been estimated to be worth approximately $5,300.

Numerous schools and non-profit organizations served by Free Geek's grants of computer equipment will feel the sting of this loss. Lower Chinook Tribe, National Council of Jewish Women, Veterans for Peace, Bolivian Medical Exchange had all been approved to receive laptops that have now been stolen.

Free Geek's newly-established Laptop Program, which refurbishes portable computers and provides significant income to fund Free Geek's other operations, took the greatest hit. Laptops and laptop memory were stolen, along with flat panel LCD monitors and high end Apple equipment. Free Geek's many volunteers and staff are working hard to get the Laptop program back off the ground.

Free Geek takes great care to ensure that any private data stored on donated computers is securely erased as quickly as possible, and is happy to report that after a review of stolen materials, no hard drives with private information were stolen.

Free Geek's friends and neighbors have rallied to its support. If you wish to help this unique non-profit recover from this blow to operations and morale, please consider donating money to help reach our goal of $6,000 by the end of the year. Or if you have old computer equipment (epecially laptop RAM) to unload, send it our way - the sooner the better! - so we can keep doing what we do best. Finally, any tips on used laptops being sold with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed, or with Free Geek's white inventory stickers attached, are much appreciated. Call (503)232-9350 with any tips.

For more information about the burglary, see the media coverage.

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