These one day Tech Saturday sessions are intended to provide Harlem families with free home computers along with the skills needed for successful usage with their children. Other topics include understanding wireless options in Harlem, honesty issues and Internet Safety issues for families. Primary focus? Harlem families with a child in the 4th grade or above who have Hi-Speed (cable, dsl) Internet access, or are seeking to acquire affordable and reliable Internet access; also those who are interested in taking advantage of online educational opportunities and networking options via this innovative collaborative program.

click here for The Children's Storefront				click here for the the Wireless Harlem Initiative

Our Sponsors and Supporters | Click here to download the one page application form (Oct 18, Nov 8 and beyond)

Note: We are having a SPECIAL tech saturday on March 7th, 2009 for younger children (grades 1-3) ... details will be announced in early 2009!

Update Summer 2008: we have given away approximately 120 computers so far. You can call 212-427-7900 ext 333 and leave your name and phone number on the answering machine. This phone extension will also give you the latest update on the next Tech Saturday. The phone number for "tech support issues" related to the Tech Saturday computers is 866-586-0999, extension 1023 -- Saturdays only, 2-4 pm.

• there will be more tech saturdays in 2008 later in the year
• in 08-09 we begin our "Tech Saturdays for Younger Children" which will involve alphasmarts for students in grades 1-3
• no money should be sent in until you get a confirmation number
• we will be picking 20 people by lottery
• application goes to the address on the form
• Each person who gets a confirmation number must send in or drop off $20 (cash or money order only; no checks) with "proof of Harlem residency" and the completed application within one week of getting the confirmation number. You can also bring these items to our front office at 70 East 129th Street.
• We apologize for the delay in getting back to you via phone or traditional mail; we also apologize if we sent you the application more than once. All of us have full time jobs and are doing this on the side to help families in Harlem.
• It does not hurt to call a second time since to make sure you are on the list

Steve Bergen (fax is 781-240-0363 or 212-348-2988)
school address is: The Children's Storefront, 70 East 129th Street, New York, NY 10035
The front office is in building 70 which is next to the BP Station on the SW corner of 129th and Park.

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Tech Saturdays in 2008 01/12/08 On 1/24/08 -- Thursday morning 8:30-9:30 am -- we hosted a breakfast to publicize this collaboration and appropriate 2008 planning ... click here 02/09/08 03/08/08 (Saturday March 8th) 05/31/08 (Saturday May 31st ... 9AM to noon) 05/31/08 (Saturday May 31st ... noon to 3pm) more dates to be announced in 2008 (not sure when yet) 09/27/08 (Saturday Sept 27th) 10/18/08 (Saturday October 18th) 11/18/08 (Saturday November 8th) 03/07/09 (Special Tech Saturday for grades 1-3)

Specifics There is a $20 fee (cash or money order, no checks) per family to cover the cost of the workshop. After filling out the application and sending in the $20, you will be issued a confirmation number. Only those with confirmation numbers will be allowed to attend. Each family will receive a fully working Mac or PC that is several years old to take home; tech people will boost the computer with as much software as possible but we will of course be working from the framework of "software honesty" since honesty is one of the "core values" of The Children's Storefront The workshop will run from 9am to 1pm; several tech instructors from NYC schools and The Wireless Harlem Initiative will be collaborating to help make this work and there will be several students from The Children's Storefont who will be working as interns The phone number for "tech support issues" related to the tech saturday computers is 866-586-0999 (Saturdays only, 2-4 pm). Click here for the one page document to be signed at the workshop.

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Click here for the list of all the software programs we put onto each disk image
Click here for our planning Web page used for January 12th and beyond
Click here for info on becoming a SPONSOR or SUPPORTER of Tech Saturdays!
Last revised: 8.1.08 Steve Bergen

Installing the file for the ROK device

• Click here for the instructions ... once you print them out, go to page 3 and circle the top left icon that says "Mac HD" ... cross out the other 5 icons which are not relevant to you ... now write in big letters on page 3 that you will be choosing 10.4 in that folder ("the operating system that we are using for the Tech Saturday Macs is what is called 10.4 or Tiger")
• Click here to download the DMG installer file onto a Mac so that you can transport it via a memory stick or CD to your tech saturday computer ... ZDA211MacUSB_install_4_5_7_0.dmg (2.5 meg)

Wonderful Quote from one participant

"Cochrane, Deborah" on February 15, 2008 at 4:32 PM  wrote:

I want to thank you once again for the efforts that you put forth to
acquire the computers for the SAT TECH PROGRAM. I'm waiting to connect
my son's computer (# 44) TO WI FI service. Thanks for caring for the
young people of the Village Of Harlem and my son.

Deborah Cochrane
Systems Quality Assurance Analyst
Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration