Re:Ask HN: Best way to “donate” dev hours to charity?
by thenipper on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:32AM
(#35423271)
Having worked at an NGO doing data work for years, this. Sadly most charities aren't in a position to easily accept outside professional help for a variety of reasons. Going down and doing work at a soup kitchen or just donating $$ will have a larger impact.
Re:Ask HN: Best way to “donate” dev hours to charity?
by harlanji on Monday April 03, 2023 @02:02PM
(#35428516)
The best offsites I've gone on have been working for charities/community service. Better than hanging out with drinks or doing some other random 'fun' activities by far.
I know that's not exactly the question, but adding that donating labor is also enjoyable to many workers. In my case the best was at the SF-Marin food bank, and Feed My Starving Children was fun too. Even picking up trash around a neighborhood with a work center was okay, nice to get outside.
Re:Ask HN: Best way to “donate” dev hours to charity?
by brudgers on Monday April 03, 2023 @03:57PM
(#35430354)
donating labor is also enjoyable to many workers
That misalignment of objectives is why charities tend to find theirselves better served by hiring professionals.
It’s like making a pull-request so I can put it on my resume.
Re:Ask HN: Best way to “donate” dev hours to charity?
by throwayayes_2 on Wednesday April 05, 2023 @08:02AM
(#35452639)
I wonder if you have any spare/used/old ThinkPad/laptop that you can give to me for free? It will be life changing for me!
I'm currently really struggling in life (barely eat once a day at the moment) but I'm really passionate about Linux & free software. So, a free laptop could really help me get local jobs (e.g. sysadmin or web developer for SMEs), put food on the table, & pay rent! Thank you!
It just isn't worth the overhead of dealing with people who believe they are doing a favor when those people are not committed.
If you want to use slack time to help charities, rent a van and drive the team down to the soup kitchen. Standing behind the counter in a hair net will build more character than being DRY.
Good luck.