@tinker
That is brilliant.
We often tell folks who want to volunteer, but think they have little to offer, that they just need to turn up and there will be something they can help with, even if it is meet and greet or making sure volunteers have a tea break. Every thing matters.
@tinker I started volunteering at mine too recently - textile repair and sewing in my case. It was one of the most fun days I've had in ages, and it was so great hanging out with fellow hackers and fixers.
@tinker I really thought this bike was going to have Mint on it
But what Fedi really wants to know:
Were you able to install Linux onto the bicycle?
Beautiful scene!!! 
@tinker Can I please register as a Linux Install Party voter? I have never actually installed Linux (well it’s been a few years) but I am sure I could learn!
@tinker That's awesome! Good for you.
@tinker Love these good news stories in my timeline
@tinker I do this here in Auckland, it feels like a typical session is 45% vacuum cleaners, 45% toasters and 10% anything else, although in reality it is 33, 33, 33. Lately there have been a lot more rice cookers.
@tinker You make the world a better place. Thank you.
@fathermucker - Cheers. I can't do much, but I can do what I can as I can.
@tinker awesome. This is so cool.
@tinker Sweet! We've had one in Takoma Park a few times now. Going there for my busted pressure cooker, I found that I know a little more than enough about electronics to be dangerous but probably just shy of enough to help people with them for most cases.
I suspect that would be me across most fields save for programming. Jack of all trades...
@elight - Heck, if you can, go team up with folks who know more about electronics than you and learn from them. Then lend your shoulder for what you are able to do (I imagine you know quite a bit, enough to do some good work!). Most repair booths have more than one person and they all work together to fix things, teaching and sorting through issues together.
And yeah, I am a jack of all trades as well - I think its wonderful!
@tinker Amazing! I have never heard of a “repair cafe” before, but I will see if anything like that exists locally.
Nice work!
@SeasonsChange - Cheers! Its basically folks bringing stuff in to get repaired by neighbors who know how to repair a thing. Once a thing is dropped off, the folks who brought them in to be fixed go to a booth they think they can help out with while they wait for their own thing to be repaired.
Its neighbors taking care of neighbors and maintaining equipment.
@tinker this is so awesome. YOU are awesome, thank you!
@abetterjulie - Cheers. You bolster me.
@tinker
That is brilliant.
We often tell folks who want to volunteer, but think they have little to offer, that they just need to turn up and there will be something they can help with, even if it is meet and greet or making sure volunteers have a tea break. Every thing matters.
@Maker_of_Things - Yeah! We had two folks that just sat a table by the entrance, greeted folks, and then pointed them to the correct table for what they needed. There absolutely is a place for everyone!
@nellie_m @afewbugs - I do well by connecting two different groups together. So if there already is a repair cafe in your town and they accept volunteers, reach out to the local cycling group and see if anyone is interested in doing bike repairs at the repair cafe.
A lot of times folks dont even know about the different groups, so just making the connection goes a long way.
Something to consider!
haha, „local cycling group“, that’s a good one 😄
Honestly, your idea is great, but that group is a handful of losers. I’ve been in touch with them and they aren’t even capable of organising a meeting to organise something 😂
(I’m not in a town, it’s a very rural region, most people use cars, and cycling is a weekend activity for a few. I’m pretty exotic, using the bike for almost everything)
@nellie_m - hahahaha! I completely understand, hahahaha! Well, you do what you can. I feel ya, hahaha!
@tinker a Linux install party at a repair cafe is awesome idea
@tansy @tinker we are going to do a sewing machine demo at @RepairCafeFFX (next month)?
Great idea to add Linux installs, if people at the cafe's can support them!
@artcollisions @tansy @RepairCafeFFX - I wrote up a quick thread with lessons learned about our first install party a couple months ago: https://infosec.exchange/@tinker/115517060878052214
@tinker Nice! Thanks. That would be for one of our more IT folk. I'm the sewing gal 😁 @tansy @RepairCafeFFX
@artcollisions @tansy @RepairCafeFFX - Ohhh... you do actual good things - not made up things living in a land of fake 1s and 0s, hahaha!
You're awesome! Thank you for doing that!
@tinker thank you! Those little 1s and 0s are slippery beasts. I cannot keep track of them! I'm much better with things I can hold in my hands.
@tinker My local repair café often has a lot of demand for lamp repair, too.
Honestly, I've been doing repair cafés since last summer and it's a ton of fun. Great, low-pressure chance to engage the problem-solving bits of my brain.
@drsbaitso - Yeah! We had a lady bring in a lamp and get it taken care of! A good couple of handyfolk and basic electricians showed up and helped folks out.
More often than not, when I read something like this, it is at a library. I have the feeling that ultimately, librarians will save us somehow.
@dragonfi @drsbaitso Agreed. Heck, they are saving us right now. I gotta support my librarians more. I am already but I gotta do more. they do so much for us. They're most certainly the path forward.
