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Help Zone
About ZaReason, Inc.
ZaReason, Inc. is based in Berkeley, California near the University of California at Berkeley campus, across the Bay from San Francisco.
The framework for ZaReason germinated as we spent weekends volunteering at our
local computer recycling center building Linux systems for the community. This little non-profit has churned out more than 17,000 desktops for low-income applicants, giving them solid hardware and a full suite of open source software, even an industry standard warranty,
for free.
We went home and began building high-end Linux systems for people who could afford the best hardware through Tier 1 suppliers. We built a line of rock-solid systems and let teenagers stress-test the machines until they were satisified. We also had non-techies use the systems until we got as close to plug-n-play as possible. We prefer to do heavy R&D upfront in order to decrease the tech support later.
In the early days, we shipped mostly to longtime Linux activists who wanted fully open source machines, but did not have the time to research components and configurations. Currently, we ship to all kinds of people, including those who are trying Linux for the first time. In January of 2009 we had our first tech support call where the new user needed to be told, "Well, have you tried turning it on?" We consider this a huge road sign on our path to becoming a mainstream computer company.
Where do the ZaReason founders come from? Earl, our CTO, spent the 90s programming games; in 2001 he switched to the mobile market. Cathy, our CEO, spent the 90s as a tech writer; she also runs a non-profit, Partimus, supporting technology in education. Vincent is our volunteer CFO, working towards his International Baccalaureate, helping ZaReason develop several overseas partners. Our VP of Engineering, Kory, is our energetic researcher and supply chain manager. There are many other helpers who come and go. Our little shop is within a stone's throw of more Tier 1 component suppliers than we could ever use. We are well supported.
ZaReason began as a volunteer organization, but is now able to pay most of its workers. We still have volunteers helping us out, all with the intent of supporting open source and better hardware.
Our environmental friendliness moves have been three-fold:
1. We select the most effecient hardware available, using the least electricity possible.
2. We direct you to a hardware recycler (only for desktops) so you can get it for free if you are willing to wait and work with the recycler.
3. We are building a network of recyclers globally who can support the repurposing of electronic waste. For most of our machines, we use ASUS which offers
free recycling of used systems.
We also recognize that for many people and for many purposes you need the latest, fastest, most efficient hardware and you need it today. We are famous for our 24 to 48 hour build and test time. From the time the customer orders and the time their system ships, it is often only "a day or two". Our shortest build-to-ship time was four hours custom build for a sys admin who was in a mission critical situation. We are grateful when you consider us your Linux hardware builder and do whatever we can to meet your needs.
If you want to know more, please read up on what others have said about us:
Carla Schroder on LinuxPlanet posted, ZaReason:
An Amazing Attack of Linux Cluefulness
The Breeze got a great review on the Works with U site:
ZaReason Makes Desktop Linux a Breeze.
Gutsy Geeks interviewed our CTO, Earl, for their Sunday radio program. Check out the
ogg here or the
mp3 here.
Our favorite types of conferences are the smaller ones that have a local flavor, the ones built and supported by strong local LUGs. We usually see posts like
this one after each show. We love it.
On Linux.com, picked up by Lxer too, came an article by Thomas Holbrook II, a
profile of one of the founders.
Our first
press release. Note that we don't write these ourselves.
Linux Magazine picked it up too.
All About Ubuntu: "Getting to Know ZaReason's CEO" and
"Will Dell Help or Hurt Rival Linux PC Builders?"
We were
Dugg in a Lxer post by Wolfgang,
"16,000 Computers Delivered for Free."
Somehow we caught the attention of Larry Ellison at The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs.
Sometimes when we are poking around the web, we come across posts like this one which sent more traffic our way than any flashy ad could have.
We were granted a free month of banner ads on
Make. We were generously given persistant banner ads on
The Blog of Helios, despite Helios' strong anti-advertising stance. He does not charge us for this space and thank goodness -- our marketing budget is smaller than lunch money. His Open Source business, HeliOS Solutions, helps people migrate to Linux after a lifetime of struggling with Windows
The Debian User noticed us and we loved their post::
"Cool Preinstalled 'buntu Systems". Being seriously geeky, it is great to have someone compliment us in this way.
We somehow caught the attention of the VAR guy, wow, in a piece on Desktop Linux.
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols mentioned us again in Desktop Linux.
We are most happy when we see these systems go to good homes:
"ZaReason Made My Day!" S-u-weet!
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