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. 😛