Open Source advocates hold “installfests” all the time to help new Open Source users learn how to install and use Open Source programs on existing computer systems. Now one United States Open Source group has decided to take this helping hand to the next level by creating a combination installfest and buildfest to provide computers to schools.

The team will be made up of a local non profit group and a San Mateo based open source vendor. They are calling their endeavor “Installfest for Schools”. The main goal is to build 500 completely free, Open Source computers and install them in local schools. It’s a lofty goal, spreading Open Source Linux based computers to people who aren’t necessarily that knowledgeable about computers.

The computers being used as the base for this project have all been donated. They are mostly older model PCs that will be fixed or fine tuned then stripped of all software and operating systems currently on them. Ubuntu Linux 7.0.1 will be the replacement operating system. Ubuntu is an Open Source operating system that includes several other Open source applications as well. Four main locations around the San Francisco area will be handling the refurbishing and installations.

This is yet another in a recent surge of acceptance for Open Source as a viable alternative to proprietary software. Earlier this year the Netherlands adopted Open Source as its preferred software for government operations, and other countries have followed suit. Open Source is gaining momentum, and speculation abounds that it may be a cost effective, useful force to be reckoned with in 2008 and years to come.

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