OLPC UK/Lending Library and Repair Centre/Old Proposals

Original Proposal for hardware submitted to OLPC Boston

The proposal:

We're applying for some used hardware:

• What you want, exactly how many of each

1. 10 D stock (would accept less)
2. 20 M stock (would accept less)
3. 35 chargers (would accept less)

• how you intend to use them.

We intend to use them to:

1. D stock: repair them and 1) set up a Lending Library of laptops for

OLPC-UK members / community; 2) generate enough interest and proven contributions to justify a Contributors Program application by OLPC-UK members / community.

1. M stock: use to back up the D stock for a UK repair centre / Lending Library

1. Chargers: Power the Lending Library stock and supplement the repair centre.

Initial feedback on original proposal

18:37 < mtd> CanoeBerry: I'd ask for feedback on my email, but as I've only
             sent it recently it's unfair.  Will you consider giving such
             feedback if you have time, later?
18:37 < CanoeBerry> bz_g: yes I have Lionel's proposal for a sizable amount of
                    used hardware, thanks!  OLPC France is doing really great
                    work.
18:37 < CanoeBerry> mtd: definitely today
18:37 < mtd> CanoeBerry: thanks
18:39 < CanoeBerry> mtd: can you explain a bit more about your UK plans, and
                    how you will grow your group?  Only if you have a sec.  30
                    used/broken laptops is a large amount (France similar) but
                    I will definitely consider it if you make your case!
18:39 < CanoeBerry> Alabama is asking for even more :)
18:40 < mtd> CanoeBerry: OLPC UK is targeting a pilot of 30 laptops in a
             school in London in September.  This is aggressive but we have
             funding and initial buy-in from the headmistress...
18:40 < mtd> CanoeBerry: This proposal is *not* for hardware for that pilot...
18:41 < Caryl> We would all love to start pilots somewhere with D&M stock.
               There aren't enough to go around.  Not the best use.
18:41 < mtd> CanoeBerry: ...but in order to build community for that project I
             thought a lending library would be something people could get
             into on a volunteer basis, and hopefully that would lead to more
             involvement both in OLPC-UK and in the pilot programs.
18:41 < mtd> Caryl: This proposal is *not* for hardware for that pilot...
18:41 < mtd> Caryl: I want to make that clear.
18:42 < CanoeBerry> mtd: are you coordinating with dsd?
18:42 < mtd> CanoeBerry: I chatted with him yestrday, but before I saw the
             used hardware email.
18:42 < mtd> CanoeBerry: I'd be happy to work through him if that'd be esasier.
18:42 < mtd> CanoeBerry: he is involved in the OLPC-UK organizational
             discussion on olp-uk@lists.latop.org
18:43 < mtd> CanoeBerry: also I'd like to stress I am new to this, so
             appreciate guidance on numbers of amachines, etc.
18:43 < CanoeBerry> Ask dsd to take a look, and cc me.
18:43 < mtd> CanoeBerry: thanks, will do.
18:43 < CanoeBerry> I will support proposals like yours when they have
                    multiple backers.
18:44 < CanoeBerry> Caryl: There is a lot of M Stock to go around. But a
                    pile-of-broken-parts does not a Pilot make ;)
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: no, definitely - please let me stress this is *not*
             for the poilot.
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: ...but in order to build community for that project I
             thought a lending library would be something people could get
             into on a volunteer basis, and hopefully that would lead to more
             involvement both in OLPC-UK and in the pilot programs.
18:45 < CanoeBerry> Repair Centers are the focus here, and general support of
                    others, first and foremost :)
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: it's about building the community
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: sure, understood.
18:47 < CanoeBerry> mtd: i think you already know this, but just a reminder
                    all chargers here are US chargers (and being used, may not
                    all work!)
18:48 < mtd> CanoeBerry: yes, thanks.  We can get adapters easily, and my US
             G1G1 one works here fine :).
18:49 < CanoeBerry> mtd: OK.  While we cannot sell US chargers in Europe, I
                    think surplus parts on a very limited basic like this are
                    OK.

Laptop Library addendum to the proposal

As mentioned above, we see the Laptop Library and Repair Centre programs as complementary and want to do them both. The Laptop Library program has its own set of requirements / questions different from Adam's original email, so this section is to address those:

Requirements

.

what is your active library URL?

This page is it. The URL is http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_UK/Lending_Library_and_Repair_Centre .

policy mechanics of loans/returns

Similar to other library proposals:

• we expect requests to be made in person at an OLPC UK meeting / event or via the olpc-uk@lists.laptop.org mailing lists

• requests will be recorded on olpc-uk mailing list regardless of how they were originally received. When this volume becomes to high for a mailing list, a shared document will be set up (google docs, git repo) to allow librarians to record loans/receipts

• standard requests will be for three months each, but duration may vary a bit on a case-by-case basis.

• we expect requests to be for two laptops at a time to maximise benefit/productivity

how will you give back to the OLPC/Sugar community

Our OLPC UK mailing list includes prominent members of the OLPC and SugarLabs community with a track record of delivering software and community benefits. We will build on that background by:

• encouraging and mentoring laptop recipients to give them the best opportunity to become long-term members of the community

• keeping very close touch with the wider community at devel@l.o, {ieap,sugar-devel}@sl.o, fedora-olpc, and all the OLPC groups we have personal relationships with (e.g., OLPC Austria comes to mind)

Long-term plans

We plan to keep going on this as long as the laptops hold up (and of course longer). Many members of OLPC UK have been around since G1G1 2007 and remain active today.

Trend analysis

We will report library statistics via a glance-able [Chart] display and the raw data in CSV hosted on an easily-accessible git-repo.

Suggestions and further questions

demonstrate detail-oriented librarian skills

Martin is a programmer, so there's some detail-oriented skills in his background. I hope the above details will provide additional comfort.

articulating how laptops will continually recirculate & new projects seeded & fertilized

At [2009] Martin met with many people who were very excited about the XO, Sugar, and their potential. Martin carries his XO to work every day and continually gets questions about it - it's easy to generate buzz and gather interested people. What's lacking is often a way to become familiar with the capabilities of the platform (XO and Sugar) in real-time and a community around it. We're addressing the community with the acceleration of OLPC UK and the hardware + software platform with this application.

outreach & buzz-creating acumen

OLPC UK members have created buzz on the web, mainstream media (UK TV's "Gadget Show"), and just by walking around with XOs all the time.

Other libraries and mentoring

We'd certainly benefit from learning from other libraries like OLPC Australia and XO Austin. We would definitely be available to mentor others.

Growing the group

The OLPC UK group is getting going and already has had some very promising outreach to schools and funding sources. Getting people involved in using the hardware and developing software is certainly not going to be a problem - getting the laptops back from loan might be (HHOS). We will address continuity and scalability issues by ensuring that the OLPC UK mailing list is always in the loop in discussions and ensuring that at least three people have access to the XO inventory in order to loan it out.

Founding proposal via Contributors Program

Our amended proposal has been submitted to contributors@laptop.org. Our submission reference # (and RT ticket number) is #37030 .

Here is the current version:

1. Project Title & Shipment Detail

Name of Project: (WEB-PUBLISHED)

OLPC UK Lending Library and Repair Centre

Shipping Address You've Verified:

OLPC UK
c/o Martin Dengler
1 Prescot Street #13
London
E1 8RJ

Phone: +44 778 612 6209

Number of Laptops (or other hardware) You Request to Borrow:

Laptops requested for Local Laptop Lending Library (LLLL)

10 No-Trouble-Found (NTF) stock due to three current mentors/librarians. We would look to add more in six months depending on interest and whether or not we were granted Repair Centre stock that turned out to be salvageable (and this re-use was blessed by OLPC).

Laptops requested for Repair Centre

1. 10 D stock (would accept less)
2. 20 M stock (would accept less)
3. 35 chargers (would accept less)

2. Team Participants

Name(s) & Contact Info: (include all email addresses & phone numbers)

See People section

3. Objectives

Project Objectives: (WEB-PUBLISHED)

See Objectives section above.

For most recent examples, see Examples section above.

4. Plan of Action

The specifics "on-the-ground" that are consistent with OLPC and OLPC UK's mission and the objectives above imply a plan like in the above Specifics section.

5. Needs

Why is this project needed?

See Objectives section above.

Locally?

See Objectives section above.

In the greater OLPC/Sugar community?

See Objectives section above.

Outside the community?

It will be run by community members.

Why can't this project be done in emulation using non-XO machines?

See Objectives section above.

Why are you requesting the number of machines you are asking for?

See Objectives section above.

Will you consider (1) salvaged/rebuilt or (2) damaged XO Laptops?

Yes - see "Objectives" above.

6. Sharing Deliverables

Project URL:

http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_UK/Lending_Library_and_Repair_Centre

How will you convey tentative ideas & results back to the OLPC/Sugar community, prior to completion?

1. Project sub-pages
2. OLPC-UK mailing list
3. Grassroots mailing list
4. Educational convention presentations and publishing thereof

How will the final fruits of your labor be distributed to children or community members worldwide?

Ongoing - see Objectives section above.

Will your work have any possible application or use outside our community?

Yes - other user groups may pick up the LLLL concept as it relates to their field and use our experiences to inform their progress. Our publicity efforts and web presence will get these ideas out to this larger audience.

Have you investigated working with nearby XO Lending Libraries or Project Groups?

Yes (and we hope to become a resource for others!)

7. Quality/Mentoring

Would your Project benefit from Support, Documentation and/or Testing people?

Definitely as mentors, but could be great in other capacities. All are welcome.

Teachers' input into Usability?

Possibly, depending on how broadly "usability" is defined.

How will you promote your work?

As many media as possible - OLPC UK members have experience in creatig buzz on the web, mainstream media (UK TV's "Gadget Show"), and just by walking around with XOs all the time.

Can we help you with an experienced mentor from the OLPC/Sugar community? (WEB-PUBLISHED)

Yes, but not a pre-requisite as we have a number of experienced people already...but more help is always welcome.

8. Timeline (Start to Finish)

See "Plan of Action" section above.