Introduction

Hi.

I've literally _just_ found out about Debian-NP, and am extremely 
interested in the project.  I volunteer with a local non-profit 
organization's board, helping them develop and implement a comprehensive 
IT plan.

Interestingly enough, a Microsoft employee is also on the board, and on 
the IT committee.  It's been an eye-opening, but very rewarding, 
experience so far.

The Microsoft employee, quite obviously, recommends MS solutions.  What 
I've found most surprising, though, is the introduction of an 
organization called TechSoup (www.techsoup.org) as the vendor for said 
MS software.  TechSoup offers _remarkably_ inexpensive MS software to 
non-profits:
http://www.techsoup.org/stock/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=TechSoupMain&category%5Fname=Servers+MS&Page=1&Cat1=Microsoft&CatCount=1
http://www.techsoup.org/stock/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=TechSoupMain&category%5Fname=Office+Tools+MS&Page=1&Cat1=Microsoft&CatCount=1

I am a little dismayed at how easy it is for unsuspecting non-profit 
organizations to lock themselves into an all-MS future with these prices.

Are there any tips or suggestions for more effectively advocating Free 
Software to non-profits?  I've penned an advocacy piece here:
http://charitychannel.com/articles/article_11060.shtml
but it's far too general to help many organizations deal with the 
realities of day-to-day computing.

Cheers,
Scott