Contributors program/September 4, 2009
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[ AGENDA ] * New projects & libraries -- teaching them Community Outreach: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO_Laptop_Lending_Libraries * Which projects might you enjoy Mentoring?! http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects http://rt.laptop.org/Search/Results.html?Query=Queue=%27contributors%27 * Fast Review of the 5 latest (greatest!) HW/Project Proposals -- please join us advocating for and/or reviewing shortcomings of these proposals: #1 Ambulant (W3C Smile 3.0 implementation) - Netherlands #2 South Tyrol Lending Library - Italy #3 Palaver Project - Liberia; Texas, USA #4 Aura OS, STS SpreadSheet, LittleJect File Compressor - India #5 OLOGO (OLPC Logo), Education game(s), Photo Editing - New York, USA [ INTROS ] <CanoeBerry> Contributors Program Meeting will start here in ~10min! * dirakx is here. <CanoeBerry> hi! <dirakx> CanoeBerry: hi. <CanoeBerry> ~10min delay, coming soon! <dirakx> CanoeBerry: after the meeting can we talk about the math tutoring project. i'm not getting it's actual status. <dirakx> getting/understanding * mvn071 has joined #olpc-meeting * aa has joined #olpc-meeting * mafe` has joined #olpc-meeting * mafe` Quit (Client Quit) * mafe has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> finally! * ohshima has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> Sorry for the delay; 5-project agenda in your inbox (Netherlands, Italy, India, Liberia, USA) <CanoeBerry> Agenda here: http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/devel/2009-September/025597.html <CanoeBerry> Let's start in 2min please. * bemasc has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> Welcome. <CanoeBerry> Let me recruit more jurors on other channels. Back in 1 min. <CanoeBerry> Let's do it, who's here to help look over and/or mentor these 5 projects quick? * bemasc <CanoeBerry> Plz introduce yourself informally. <CanoeBerry> Anybody, real names not required :) <CanoeBerry> mafe? <mafe> yes...im mafe from PH/NJ <CanoeBerry> Great, let's start, others will join en route. [ PROJECT #1 : Ambulant (W3C Smile 3.0 implementation) - Netherlands ] <CanoeBerry> Project #1: <CanoeBerry> Ambulant (W3C Smile 3.0 implementation) - Netherlands <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46574 <CanoeBerry> (project needs to provide public URL!) <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO-1's and 1 XO-1.5 over 12+ months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> The goal is to be able to verify that the Ambulant software incorporated <CanoeBerry> in the Smile activity operates properly on the XO with Sugar and to <CanoeBerry> reproduce reported problems. <CanoeBerry> Coached by Tony of Nepal.. <CanoeBerry> All plz review above project, with any comments/opinions, fire away please :) <mafe> this will definitely be a hit to filipino kids <dirakx> still lacks the public url-- see more work. <mafe> and kids as a whole who are into music <CanoeBerry> Newcomers: if you need access to full projects proposals write holt @ laptop . org and OLPC's privacy policy will be explained quickly. <bemasc> SMIL is not really much about music... <CanoeBerry> dirakx: agreed * ttuttle has joined #olpc-meeting * bzg has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> welcome bzg/ttuttle <CanoeBerry> We're wrapping up Project #1 if you can help.. <bemasc> I don't see any need for a 1.5 <bemasc> Their logic does not make much sense. <CanoeBerry> bemasc: can you explain why they won't benefit from XO-1.5? <bzg> (Hi all, just joining) <bemasc> Other than that, it's a worthy project, and a physical XO is valuable to ensure that the animations perform reasonably. * fcr has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> fcr: welcome. Plz introduce yourself. <bemasc> CanoeBerry: "we ask for one XO 1.5 because machines of different type <bemasc> may reveal different problems when used in practice" <mafe> and it's worth to try... <CanoeBerry> Let's conclude Prjct #1 now. <mvn071> why not let them lent XO from me <mvn071> ? <CanoeBerry> mvn071: great! <mvn071> I am 30 min away from amsterdam <bemasc> CanoeBerry: The XO-1.5 is tremendously unlikely to have any problems with software that runs on the XO-1. There's not enough difference. <mafe> +1 <CanoeBerry> mvn071: can you contact them and/or co-mentor? <CanoeBerry> Let's wrap up now: plz all vote. <bzg> maybe comparing the speed and the user experience is worth? <mvn071> I not much into mentoring <bemasc> Well, I don't know what the criteria are at this point. <CanoeBerry> We have extra XO-1.5's to give away to worthy development. <CanoeBerry> We = OLPC <dirakx> i'd say we need to see more work..;) <CanoeBerry> I vote for provisional approval with 2 comentors. <CanoeBerry> Objections? <bemasc> I have no objections. Just noting that they don' <bemasc> t have much need/use for a 1.5 specifically. <bzg> (I'm late on this project so I won't vote) <bemasc> (I'm inclined to push people to make stuff run on the XO-1, so that it runs _fast_ on 1.5.) <CanoeBerry> Verdict: PROVISIONAL APPROVAL if they post a public URL and worth with 2 mentors like Tony & mvn071. <mafe> bemasc: i thought you don't agree much on the project..:) ... <CanoeBerry> *i meant "work" above not "worth" [ PROJECT #2 : South Tyrol Lending Library - Italy ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #2 now: <CanoeBerry> South Tyrol Lending Library - Italy <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46582 <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_South_Tyrol <CanoeBerry> Requests 10 XO-1's over 12 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> * Helping Italian speaking schools from a sugar soas environment to <CanoeBerry> a XO/Sugar one <CanoeBerry> * Italian schools are already using Sugar in thier Linux computer <CanoeBerry> classrooms in some cases, the logical next step is to convince <CanoeBerry> teachers to experiment with XOs. <CanoeBerry> * Translating the manual to Italian language <CanoeBerry> *i meant "work" above not "worth" <CanoeBerry> Libraries approved by default if they aren't criminal... is Dogi criminal? ;) <mafe> I think having an italian manual and activity will be nice to share to kids around who would like to learn italian <CanoeBerry> +1 <dirakx> they have a good thing going on italy..i guess is a +1 for me. <bzg> I can't access w.l.o right now... <bemasc> +1, if only to make sure there are lots of XOs at the next sugarcamp. <CanoeBerry> Let's ask cjb if wiki.l.o ran out of inodes again.. <dirakx> bemasc: +1 <dirakx> bzg: right it's not loadinf <dirakx> g. <aa> and only XO-1s if possible ;) <aa> (hi!) <CanoeBerry> aa: hi! <dirakx> aa: hi! <CanoeBerry> Final Objections / Suggested Improvements for Prjct #2? <CanoeBerry> Shipping address lacks a phone number, but other than that.. APPROVED <bemasc> Activity translations <mafe> +1 as I want to see more italian activities [ PROJECT #3 : Palaver Project - Liberia; Texas, USA ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Prjct #3: <CanoeBerry> Palaver Project - Liberia <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46632 <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/User:Kathypuente <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO's over 6+ months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> Objective 1: To gather interest in the community by teachers, parents <CanoeBerry> and students in having laptops as learning tools. <CanoeBerry> Objective 2: To have a laptop for each student and teacher at <CanoeBerry> Virginia Christian Academy in the Lower Virginia community in Liberia. <CanoeBerry> There are approximately 150 students. <CanoeBerry> Objective 3: To increase literacy in the community by having ebooks <CanoeBerry> available for the children and their families to practice and enjoy. <CanoeBerry> Liberia has only a 40% literacy rate. <CanoeBerry> Objective 4: To break down tribal barriers and create an atmosphere <CanoeBerry> of collaboration through the use of technology and a network. <bzg> What age the students? <mafe> this is very promising for a 25 XO small depolyment <bemasc> What are they going to do with 2 XO's? <CanoeBerry> Project needs a live URL and a real (non PO Box) shipping address. <CanoeBerry> Project seriously needs a mentor to integrate alongside/within the OLPC/Sugar community. <CanoeBerry> Verdicts? <mafe> bemasc: they'll probably maximize the use of it thru demo and presentation <CanoeBerry> Anybody willing to coach them a bit? <bemasc> The purpose of the 2 XOs seems to be as samples to try to convince people to buy in for a real deployment. <bzg> How did they know about OLPC? <bzg> (Maybe that's a question we should ask to any project proposal?) <dirakx> they need a coach. <mafe> bemasc: right <mafe> I can coach them ... <bemasc> CanoeBerry: It would be great if there were some way for them to buy 150 XOs, if they somehow found the money for it... <CanoeBerry> This may be possible, but they have a lot of learning to do first likely. <CanoeBerry> mafe: thanks! I love their email address "peacefulprince" <mafe> bemasc: I don't think they have an issue on that...they are more concern on trying the xo and doing a demo <CanoeBerry> Conclusion? <bzg> May I ask some? <bzg> What is the "cost" of lending a laptop for this project? <bemasc> Worthy cause. No proposal to contribute. No path forward in the event of success. <mafe> and they're not asking for 150 xo <bzg> If the cost is 0, I'd vote for +1 for this project... <mafe> bemasc: i guess on the result it's more on..end user <CanoeBerry> bzg: cost to OLPC of shipping? Very little. * dogi has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> Particularly as OLPC's warehouse is in Texas just like this applicant. <mafe> we need to understand here also that without users the software will be nothing <bzg> Okay. But are there any limitation in the quantity allowed per month for Contributor Program? <dogi> hi all <CanoeBerry> bzg: no hard limits. soft limit is 10 XO's per project, unless the project is *stellar* <bzg> mhh... <mafe> so project proposal like this ....make sense to me...since it increase actual users of xo... <dirakx> +1 for me then <CanoeBerry> Let's wrap up Liberia/Texas verdict. <bzg> Depends on what you call "actual users" <mafe> bzg: what you mean? <bemasc> Giving XOs to potential buyers in developing countries is necessary in order to generate orders for XOs. <bzg> I mean, we don't know the people asking for the XOs <mafe> so mentor on this project plays a big role ...on getting feedback and giving it back to the sugar developer... <bzg> do we have a mentor for this? <bzg> are they potential buyers? <CanoeBerry> bzg: correct, and we haven't always had success from religious ministries. we need to do better here. who will mentor? <mafe> I can help...but we need a co-mentor on this <bzg> I decline, Texas is too far from Paris :) <bemasc> bzg: Liberia, not Texas. <bemasc> oh! <bemasc> They want them in Texas to try to raise funds for Liberia? <CanoeBerry> The Ministry is in TX, the project is in Monrovia, Liberia <mafe> bzg: it's ok for an offline mentoring... <mafe> bzg: no need to be physically near...:) <CanoeBerry> Mentor needed for approval, who will help? <mafe> bzg? :) <mafe> bzg ...promise i'll help <CanoeBerry> Or we can put this on hold until a mentor is found. <CanoeBerry> Let's conclude. <bemasc> ok <bzg> I think that's the best option for now <mafe> CanoeBerry: ok i'll take it... <bemasc> They want it shipped to TX, and then they will fly to Liberia to try to build enthusiasm. <bemasc> In the hope of placing a large order in the spring. <mafe> bemasc: yes <bzg> shouldn't be too hard to find a mentor for a girl: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/User:Kathypuente <CanoeBerry> mafe: thank you. and a special thank you to mafe for her persistent multimonth mentoring of many other projects -- your monthly callouts to project leaders are key! <CanoeBerry> bzg: tsk tsk <mafe> bzg: want to co- mentor this? <CanoeBerry> bzg: then you would have 2 women to work with. <bzg> :) * Caryl has joined #olpc-meeting <mafe> lucky...;) <mafe> hi Caryl... <CanoeBerry> Conclusion: Liberia/Texas APPROVED, with a co-mentor to help mafe requested. <Caryl> hi [ PROJECT #4 : Aura OS, STS SpreadSheet, LittleJect File Compressor -- India ] <CanoeBerry> Onto PRoject #4 now: <CanoeBerry> Aura OS, STS SpreadSheet, LittleJect File Compressor -- India <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46764 <CanoeBerry> http://phoenix-team.tk <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO 1.5's over 24+ months <CanoeBerry> Objective coming (VERY long!!) <CanoeBerry> In 3 parts... <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> PHOENIX AURA: <CanoeBerry> Aura is an open source operating system which is based on OpenSuSE <CanoeBerry> 11.1 platform. Some members of Phoenix Team had recently proposed that <CanoeBerry> it would be nice if we can work our way towards running Aura in XO and <CanoeBerry> XO-1.5 netbooks. We are currently designing this project in 2 sub <CanoeBerry> streams: <CanoeBerry> -BASE PROJECT -- which is intentionally designed for low power <CanoeBerry> machines, like old Intel P3 or Celeron which will install well inside <CanoeBerry> the limit of 700 MiB. The XO is a good target for this type of stream. <CanoeBerry> -Phoenix Aura-X -- Normal, full functional operating system designed <CanoeBerry> specifically for home or developers' usage. <CanoeBerry> Phoenix Aura will be: <CanoeBerry> = Free of Charge, including every release <CanoeBerry> = Open to modify its design and kernel <CanoeBerry> = We are thinking to ship Aura free to every country for only shipping <CanoeBerry> and handeling charges. <CanoeBerry> OBJECTIVES: <CanoeBerry> =To provide free, interactive and full functional OS to youth. <CanoeBerry> =Provide operating system for developer schools in India,,,(Some <CanoeBerry> developers working for schools) <CanoeBerry> =To increase the potential of FOSS. <CanoeBerry> Part 2: <CanoeBerry> Spread-The-Sheet <CanoeBerry> Spread-The-Sheet or STS is open source SpreadSheet program similar to <CanoeBerry> Microsoft Office Excel or OpenOffice.org Calc... but it is simple and <CanoeBerry> interactive, allowing even children to use it. <CanoeBerry> STS is aimed clearly for children(or more specifically, youth) to use it. <CanoeBerry> LittleJect <CanoeBerry> LittleJect is a codename of a project which Phoenix-Team is currently <CanoeBerry> developing in addition to BoomingBang(Codename Imperius) <CanoeBerry> It is a file compression utility which is aimed to compress higher <CanoeBerry> than 70%. We are in early development phase of this project which has <CanoeBerry> just started in August. ... [BRIEF NETWORK FAILURE] ... <mafe> ++1 to this project... <mafe> but maybe the group can increase their team members to expedite the development... <mafe> :) <bzg> +1 <bzg> STS looks interesting <bemasc> This project will fail. <bemasc> -1 <CanoeBerry> bemasc: explain :) <bemasc> I think my favorite part is "LittleJect". <bemasc> The author proposes to write a new file compression utility. <bzg> mabe I can put them in contact with Eric Bachard from OOo4Kids, to share the work on "simple spreadsheet for kids" <bemasc> Improving file compression algorithms is, at this point, Ph.D. thesis work. <CanoeBerry> The public web site needs work: <mafe> bemasc: whay you say so...? <bemasc> Moreover, I have had contact with the author, who does not have anything like the computer engineering experience required to pull off any of these tasks. <CanoeBerry> http://phoenix-team.tk is colorful and musical but freezes my browser, much as I appreciate the Canadian Natl Anthem ;) <CanoeBerry> bemasc: the energetic project leader has a team working with him, perhaps we should meet them.. <bemasc> I am happy to encourage CS education. No one starts off knowing how to do this stuff. <CanoeBerry> time to decide: how shall we finalize? <bemasc> The proposal, though, is basically silly. <mafe> this is worth to try... <mafe> im approving this project... <CanoeBerry> bemasc: do any of the 3 have genuine potential? <mafe> my say... <bzg> Aura on the XO? <bemasc> It seems we've already approved "boomingbang" <Caryl> It is only 2 XOs <bemasc> which is the same people. <mafe> but give them mentor somebody from sugar dev... <CanoeBerry> This team is certainly very freelance, but they have been helping OLPC service support emails! <mafe> Caryl: yep... <CanoeBerry> that's 1 vote in their favor; their genuine (even if inconsistent) followup is much appreciated! <Caryl> Maybe if they find out their project is too ambitious for them they could be guided towards something they can do <bemasc> I'd like to be clear here: did we already send these people XOs? <mafe> Caryl: +1 <CanoeBerry> bemasc: yes <bemasc> ok <bemasc> to the best of my knowledge, they have demonstrated no progress with their curren XOs. <Caryl> so how many do they already have? <CanoeBerry> Here's their original pjct: http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=42001 <Caryl> OIC they are looking for 1.5s <bemasc> right <CanoeBerry> 2 XO's received around late June. <CanoeBerry> OK, enough! <CanoeBerry> Conclusion? <Caryl> -1 for now <dirakx> -1 :( <bzg> 0 <bemasc> I'd be willing to say that I think they're not just reselling them. <mafe> +1 ( but we need to do a follow-up on their boome...project <bemasc> They are genuinely interested in developing software. <CanoeBerry> I feel bad b/c this team is really trying, and contributing in very unconvential ways. <CanoeBerry> *unconventional <bemasc> Genuine interest and desire might be good enough. <CanoeBerry> Conclusion: ON HOLD <bemasc> But in order to accomplish much, they're going to need some very serious hands-on mentoring. ... <bemasc> Maybe we can find them an Indian mentor, who's at least in the same timezone. ... <mafe> bemasc: yes...so project follow-up and updates .... <CanoeBerry> bemasc: perfect advice.. please ask for a Mentor you know in India. <bemasc> CanoeBerry: I can think of a few. <CanoeBerry> bemasc: great.. plz add a Comment on ticket here: http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46764 [ PROJECT #5 : OLOGO (OLPC Logo), Education game(s), Photo Editing - New York, USA ] <CanoeBerry> Yes. Finally let's conclude our mtg with Project #5: <bemasc> Maybe we can find them an Indian mentor, who's at least in the same timezone. <CanoeBerry> OLOGO (OLPC Logo), Education game(s), Photo Editing - New York, USA <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46913 <CanoeBerry> http://www.eecs.usma.edu/olpc (not active yet) <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO-1's and 2 XO-1.5's over 12 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> The overall program objective is to enhance the OLPC and increase its <CanoeBerry> value to the end users as a fun and educational tool. <CanoeBerry> -The OLPC Logo program will allow the users to create graphics, and <CanoeBerry> also learn how to write small scripts that can produce spriograph type <CanoeBerry> images <CanoeBerry> -The educational game(s) will be decided during the project, but aim at <CanoeBerry> being addictive (ex. The incredible machine), and support learning as <CanoeBerry> well. <CanoeBerry> -The photo editing program is aimed to inspire the users by taking <CanoeBerry> photos from the internal camera, and allow quick modifications and <CanoeBerry> filters with an easy to use interface. <mafe> bemasc: yes...so project follow-up and updates .... <CanoeBerry> bemasc: perfect advice.. please ask for a Mentor you know in India. <bemasc> CanoeBerry: I can think of a few. <CanoeBerry> bemasc: great.. plz add a Comment on ticket here: http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=46764 <mafe> I already made some comment on this... <bzg> I don't understand if the Logo program is related to the Logo language or not. <bemasc> +1 for #5 <CanoeBerry> +1 <bemasc> bzg: yes, it is. <bzg> Or to the TurtleArt... or to anything else <bzg> okay <CanoeBerry> bemasc: are you interested in mentoring? <bzg> Except for OLOGO, the project is a bit fuzzy to me * ramoonas has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> ramoonas: welcome Lithuania! <bemasc> CanoeBerry: I would be happy to mentor this project. <Caryl> I thought Logo meant actual "LOGO" in this case, not Turtle Art? <CanoeBerry> Excellent. <CanoeBerry> dsd & i will co-mentor. <CanoeBerry> Objections? <bemasc> Caryl: I believe you are right. I suspect that they have not yet selected a "LOGO backend". <CanoeBerry> dsd has been mentoring now for a week. <bzg> what about the educational game and the photo editing program? <bzg> anyone knows what it is about? <bemasc> bzg: have you read the full proposal? <CanoeBerry> Informational: the project leads here have been in private conversation with myself and dsd for a week now; their work (2 students, 2 professor/TA types) is potentially very promising. <bemasc> They're proposing to create an unspecified educational game, and a "childlike" photo editor, perhaps in the mold of Kai's Power Goo. <dirakx> k. +1. <CanoeBerry> Last Call for objections/suggested improvements.......... <bemasc> The project proposal is a bit unformed, but I have confidence that it will come together, not least because they are being supervised and graded by their professors. <Caryl> child-like or child-friendly? * ramoonas Quit (Remote closed the connection) <mafe> Caryl: i hope it's child friendly...:) <bemasc> Caryl: a subtle distinction, given that the software in question is still hypothetical. <bzg> bemasc: doing this right now <CanoeBerry> bemasc: They will need teacher input, as the project makes clear. <CanoeBerry> But we can work on that in January, halfway thru their 9-month intensive project. <CanoeBerry> Conclusion: APPROVED <mafe> +1 <Caryl> +1 [ CLOSING REMARKS ] <CanoeBerry> Meeting Adjourned. Thanks All! Stick around with any closing comments please, and hope to see you in DC: <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/ClassActs (remote participation strongly welcomed next week!) <Caryl> When will "M-stock" 1.5s start to be available? <CanoeBerry> Caryl: Never if there is no Give1Get1 program. <Caryl> It would be great to be able to add one to my Roadshow <bzg> No way to get XO-1.5 for small projects then? <Caryl> Some small domestic deployments may have some? <CanoeBerry> bzg: XO-1.5's will be available to ship out in the last week of Sept. * ttuttle would love a G1G1 XO-1.5... <mafe> CanoeBerry: is ClassActs will be remotely be on justin.tv? <CanoeBerry> Caryl was talking about returns of damaged merchandise (M for MASH/medicated machines) <bzg> ok. Will they be available from the Contributor Program? <Caryl> mangled * ttuttle doesn't have time to help (school) but is willing to pay for two. <Caryl> Some take more work than others <CanoeBerry> bzg: for sure -- those are some of what we just approved (B2 "beta" XO-1.5's going out end of this month) <bzg> ok, great <CanoeBerry> Encourage legit contributors to pick one up. * bzg Quit ("CGI:IRC") * bzg has joined #olpc-meeting <Caryl> will the 1.5 mesh with the 1.0? <bzg> Thanks all. I'll be there for the booksprint, but can only make it on sunday. See you! * dogi hopefully * bzg Quit (Client Quit) <mafe> hey gtg...have a great weekend everyone...and Goodluck on the ClassActs participants... <Caryl> I'd better get back to cleaning up for our house guests this weekend. See you all at the BookSprint <mafe> Caryl: cool...can I come too...:))