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"We have the network — now we need computers for the people"

The wireless signal reaches every corner of the community center. The routers are configured. The internet connection is live. But as you look around the room, you realize something is missing: where are the computers?

A network without devices is like a library without books. You've built the infrastructure for digital access, but access requires something to access with. The community members need machines — laptops, desktops, something they can use to learn, work, connect.

But how do you equip an entire community with computers when budgets are tight and sustainability matters?

The Journey Ahead

In this chapter, you'll follow the complete process of bringing computers to your community — from sourcing refurbished hardware to deploying a fleet of ready-to-use machines:

  1. Where do we get computers? — Why second-hand hardware makes sense economically and environmentally, and how to acquire it
  2. What do we actually have? — Building an inventory and tracking your devices with professional tools
  3. What software do they need? — Using the AUCOOP base image and customizing it for your community's needs
  4. How do we set up 20 machines? — Deploying your golden master to all machines efficiently using PXE network boot

By the end of this journey, you'll have transformed a pile of dusty donated laptops into a fleet of identical, tracked, community-ready machines.

Ready to begin?