Greetings, my name is Dan. Somewhere around 2003 I started getting interested in computers; mainly I wanted to learn how the hardware worked so I could refurbish old computer systems and give them away to folks that couldn’t afford a system.

I joined the CHIPS program (Computers for Homebound and Isolated PersonS) and worked in their lab refurbishing old towers and also installing complete systems in the CHIPS clients’ homes. I spent several years with the CHIPS program and learned quite a bit about how computers work.

Quickly, I got interested in the Linux operating system and started using it myself around 2004. PCLinuxOS is the Linux distribution that I personally use. Although it’s not the easiest Linux to get started with, they include just about every type of program the average computer user would need. The big advantage for PCLinuxOS (PCLOS), is the fact that they have a very active community that is ready and willing to help you solve your issues on their forum.

Since about 2008, my focus has been to refurbish and resell computer systems as a fund-raiser for the Oasis Institute in Knoxville, TN. Oasis is a not-for-profit spiritual mecca which provides many helpful services to the Knoxville community. Like most non-profits, they can always use another funding source (grin).