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<< [[Developers/Setup#A Real OLPC-XO Laptop|Developer's Setup]]
<< [[Developers/Setup#A Real OLPC-XO Laptop|Developer's Setup]]


The '''OLPC Contributors Program'''
The OLPC Developer's Program provides access to resources, such as [[#Hardware Access Program|Development Laptops]] and [[#Project Hosting|Project Hosting]] facilities to make the process of working on Software/Hardware for the OLPC project easier for external developers. Please also see the [[Developers|Developer's Handbook]] for a general introduction to the process of developing for the OLPC platform and the [[API reference]].
(aka the '''Developer's Program''') provides contributors with access to resources, primarily hardware that OLPC produces such as the XO ([[#XO and hardware access|Development Laptops]]), [[serial adapter]]s and other peripherals, and [[spare parts]].


We also provide [[#Project Hosting|Project Hosting]] facilities to make the process of working on Software/Hardware for the OLPC project easier for external developers. For an introduction to developing for the OLPC platform, and an [[API reference]], see the [[Developers|Developer's Handbook]] and the [[Sugar Almanac]].
= Project Hosting =

* To apply for ''hardware'', please '''visit [http://projectdb.olpc.at our project database]''' and submit an application.
*: We have weekly meetings to discuss new proposed projects on [[IRC]]; see [[Contributors program/meetings]].
*: Please note that the overhead for processing and sending out CP hardware is related to the # of distinct addresses/requests, not the # of machines or projects. It you know other people in your region who are requesting XOs, try to '''bundle your requests''' so that hardware for accepted projects can be sent to a single recipient. This will not reduce the chances of any individual project being accepted, and may in fact increase chances.
* If you have many project requests in a small region, consider setting up a local [[#XO pools|XO pool]] and looking after them locally. If you have a request, and are in the region of an existing pool, please first try the regional contacts provided below to get hardware.
* To apply for '' [[#Project Hosting|project hosting]]'' (for a software project), see below.


== Project Hosting ==


If your interest is primarily on doing some systems level or on applications level coding, then join one of the projects on our [http://dev.laptop.org/wiki Hosting Wiki].
If your interest is primarily on doing some systems level or on applications level coding, then join one of the projects on our [http://dev.laptop.org/wiki Hosting Wiki].

We have much more flexibility, bandwidth and CPU available than alternatives like
We have much more flexibility, bandwidth and CPU available than alternatives like
[http://www.sf.net SourceForge], and your project won't be as lost among thousands of other projects unrelated to OLPC. If your project has aspects related to OLPC, but is primarily
[http://www.sf.net SourceForge], and your project won't be as lost among thousands of other projects unrelated to OLPC. If your project has aspects related to OLPC, but is primarily
Line 14: Line 26:
related facilities, such as bug tracking and our wiki.
related facilities, such as bug tracking and our wiki.


Other details are available on [[project hosting]].
See:
* [[Project hosting]] -- describes the process of applying to have your project hosted


= Hardware Access Program =


== XO and hardware access ==
We have a limited number of OLPC laptops available as part of our contributors program. This page talks specifically about access for software and hardware developers<!-- ; for other contributions, see our community-wide [[contributors|contributors program]]-->. While these laptops are useful for final testing, they are not, strictly speaking, necessary for developing software for the OLPC platform. Note also that these may not be final production run laptops, our developer's program largely consists of the original [[Hardware specification#Laptop Development Schedule|pre-production prototypes]] (mostly B4 machines).

There are a significant number of OLPC laptops available as part of our contributors program. This page talks specifically about access for software developers, support and testing<!-- ; for other contributions, see our community-wide [[contributors|contributors program]]-->. While these laptops are useful for some testing, they are not necessary for developing software for the OLPC platform.


Most development work done by traditional developers (as distinct from children who are actually using the OLPC-XOs in the field) for software takes place within either a [[Sugar with sugar-jhbuild|sugar-jhbuild]] environment or an [[Emulating the XO|emulated XO]] on a traditional desktop or laptop. See [[Developers/Setup]] for a lengthy discussion of how to set up your development environment.
Most development work done by traditional developers (as distinct from children who are actually using the OLPC-XOs in the field) for software takes place within either a [[Sugar with sugar-jhbuild|sugar-jhbuild]] environment or an [[Emulating the XO|emulated XO]] on a traditional desktop or laptop. See [[Developers/Setup]] for a lengthy discussion of how to set up your development environment.


We will give preference for hardware to proposals that require access to the OLPC hardware to make progress.
If you are in North America and have sufficient funds, the fastest way to acquire a production OLPC-XO is to use the [[XO Giving|Give 1 Get 1 program]], which is available until the end of December 2007.


=== Qualifications ===
We will give preference for hardware to proposals that require access to the OLPC hardware to make progress. While testing software on final machines is valuable, hardware developers have a more pressing use-case.


We're looking for people able and interested in contributing to the OLPC/Sugar Community. This goes far beyond our core of hardware and software developers, eg. we also seek experienced/innovative teachers, and far beyond. Hence our [[Contributors program criteria|criteria for judging your project proposal are evolving]] to take this into account!
== Qualifications ==


We're looking for people able and interested in helping in development. The qualifications needed depend strongly upon where you are interested in working: for example, people working on BIOS/boot paths should be seriously "friends of the electrons", and not scared of JTAG and similar kinds of debugging.
Classically, required qualifications depended strongly upon where you were interested in working: for example, people working on BIOS/boot paths should be seriously "friends of the electrons", and not scared of JTAG and similar kinds of debugging.


Most driver work takes normal driver debugging skills, though getting power management right can be more challenging than most driver development.
EG. Most driver work takes normal driver debugging skills, though getting power management right can be more challenging than most driver development. And Window system development requires X experience, and so on; applications, experience in developing those or similar applications, and so on.


For a more up-to-date look, see the [[#Meetings|Meetings]] section below for actual examples of accepted and rejected proposals.
Window system development requires X experience, and so on; applications, experience in developing those or similar applications, and so on.


== Expectations of Recipients ==
=== Expectations of Recipients ===

There are only a limited number of development prototypes. We try to assign them to those developers who are going to actually work on the project, in whatever capacity. If you can no longer work on the OLPC, please return your Developer's Program hardware to the project.


We would appreciate [http://dev.laptop.org Bug Reports] for any hardware or software issues you encounter, even if they are not in your own area of interest. Being technically capable, you are more likely to be able to help us isolate and fix bugs than non-technical users.
We would appreciate [http://dev.laptop.org Bug Reports] for any hardware or software issues you encounter, even if they are not in your own area of interest. Being technically capable, you are more likely to be able to help us isolate and fix bugs than non-technical users.


We would also appreciate it if you would read the [[Developers|Developer's Manual]] and join the community's [[Developers/Communication|communication's channels]].
We would also appreciate it if you would read the [[Developers|Developer's Manual]] and join the community's [[Developers/Communication|communication's channels]], the [[Support]] or [[Test_issues|Testing]] community.


== How to apply for an XO ==
=== Applying for an XO ===


If you have tried working with [[Sugar with sugar-jhbuild|sugar-jhbuild]] and/or an [[emulation|emulator]] and have found that you really need a physical XO to develop on,
If you have tried working with [[Sugar with sugar-jhbuild|sugar-jhbuild]] and/or an [[emulation|emulator]] and have found that you really need a physical XO to develop on, please use this url to request a laptop: http://projectdb.olpc.at/
please send mail to the <tt>developer</tt> at <tt>laptop dot org</tt> email alias with the following information:


=== Applying for an Active Antenna ===
1. Name
2. Email address
3. Employer (if any), University/College
4. Shipping address and instructions
- name,
- address, (cannot be a post office box)
- city,
- postal code,
- country,
-'''telephone number''', (we need this for the shipping companies)
5. any special instructions
- power adapter requirements (note that some countries are '''very''' picky in
customs about all devices needing the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_mains_power_plugs%2C_voltages_and_frequencies correct power adapters];
Argentina, for example, is particularly fussy.
- desired keyboard layout (we may or may not be able to oblige).
6. Quantity of machines desired
7. Description of your plans for the machine(s). Concrete proposals with defined
outcomes are much more likely to result in a system than "it would be cool to play
with these and demo them".
8. Description of your experience, both with hardware and software


If you need an [[Active Antenna]] for development purposes, '''please note your need in a projectdb submission''' as noted above, and include 'mesh' or 'antenna' in the project title.
Presuming your request is approved, a mail message will be sent to you with shipping information, or a regret. Note that some requests may be more feasible and applicable later in the project, when we have more machines available.


== Applying for an Active Antenna ==


''A deprecated way to request antennas or other nonstandard gear:''
If you need an [[Active Antenna]] for development purposes, please send mail to the <tt>developer</tt> at <tt>laptop dot org</tt> email alias with the following information:
<blockquote>
<div style="font-size:80%; background-color:#ccc;">


You can also send mail to the <tt>developer</tt> at <tt>laptop dot org</tt> email alias with the following information:
1. Name
2. Email address
3. Employer (if any), University/College
4. Shipping address and instructions
- name,
- address, (cannot be a post office box)
- city,
- postal code,
- country,
-'''telephone number''', (we need this for the shipping companies)
5. Quantity of Active Antennae desired
6. Description of your plans for the Antenna(s). Concrete proposals with defined
outcomes are much more likely to result in an Antenna than "it would be cool to play
with these and demo them".
7. Description of your experience, both with hardware and software


# Name
Presuming your request is approved, a mail message will be sent to you with shipping information, or a regret. Note that some requests may be more feasible and applicable later in the project, when we have more antennae available.
# Email address
# Employer (if any), University/College
# Shipping address and instructions [name, address, (cannot be a post office box), city, postal code, country, '''phone number''' (we need this for shipping ]
# Quantity of Active Antennas desired
# Description of your plans for the Antenna(s). Concrete proposals with defined outcomes are much more likely to result in an Antenna
# Description of your experience, both with hardware and software
</div>
As with other requests, presuming your request is approved, a mail message will be sent to you with shipping information, or a regret.
</blockquote>

== XO pools ==

These are local pools of XO's which are loaned out to developers or other individuals involved in promoting OLPC's mission. (For instance, it should also be possible to get a loan in order to do a demo or have presence at a conference). If you set up a pool on the list below, and you can show evidence that you are actively promoting your program and have a plan for dealing with customs, you should be able to request moderate numbers of XOs from OLPC.

* Country, contact, number of XO's currently in pool/link to further info <!-- once the list is populated, I hope to convert it to semantic wiki magic [[User:Homunq|Homunq]] 13:52, 29 January 2009 (UTC) -->

* Germany, [http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/olpc-de contact on list (in German)], 15, [http://wiki.olpc-deutschland.de/wiki/XO-Vereinsger%C3%A4te More info]

(See also [[Repair_center_locations|Repair centers]]; many of these can also function as XO pools.)


[[Category:Developers]]
[[Category:Developers]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Hardware]]

== Meetings ==

[[Contributors program/meetings|Join us Fridays 2PM]] bringing an advocate for your project, who can independently vouch for your work, thanks!

Latest revision as of 00:46, 19 July 2009

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Stop hand.png WARNING:
The content of this section is considered
DEPRECATED and OBSOLETE
It is preserved for historical or documenting reasons.

<< Developer's Setup

The OLPC Contributors Program (aka the Developer's Program) provides contributors with access to resources, primarily hardware that OLPC produces such as the XO (Development Laptops), serial adapters and other peripherals, and spare parts.

We also provide Project Hosting facilities to make the process of working on Software/Hardware for the OLPC project easier for external developers. For an introduction to developing for the OLPC platform, and an API reference, see the Developer's Handbook and the Sugar Almanac.

  • To apply for hardware, please visit our project database and submit an application.
    We have weekly meetings to discuss new proposed projects on IRC; see Contributors program/meetings.
    Please note that the overhead for processing and sending out CP hardware is related to the # of distinct addresses/requests, not the # of machines or projects. It you know other people in your region who are requesting XOs, try to bundle your requests so that hardware for accepted projects can be sent to a single recipient. This will not reduce the chances of any individual project being accepted, and may in fact increase chances.
  • If you have many project requests in a small region, consider setting up a local XO pool and looking after them locally. If you have a request, and are in the region of an existing pool, please first try the regional contacts provided below to get hardware.
  • To apply for project hosting (for a software project), see below.


Project Hosting

If your interest is primarily on doing some systems level or on applications level coding, then join one of the projects on our Hosting Wiki.

We have much more flexibility, bandwidth and CPU available than alternatives like SourceForge, and your project won't be as lost among thousands of other projects unrelated to OLPC. If your project has aspects related to OLPC, but is primarily part of some other project (e.g. GTK+, X11), we're also happy to provide more limited OLPC related facilities, such as bug tracking and our wiki.

Other details are available on project hosting.


XO and hardware access

There are a significant number of OLPC laptops available as part of our contributors program. This page talks specifically about access for software developers, support and testing. While these laptops are useful for some testing, they are not necessary for developing software for the OLPC platform.

Most development work done by traditional developers (as distinct from children who are actually using the OLPC-XOs in the field) for software takes place within either a sugar-jhbuild environment or an emulated XO on a traditional desktop or laptop. See Developers/Setup for a lengthy discussion of how to set up your development environment.

We will give preference for hardware to proposals that require access to the OLPC hardware to make progress.

Qualifications

We're looking for people able and interested in contributing to the OLPC/Sugar Community. This goes far beyond our core of hardware and software developers, eg. we also seek experienced/innovative teachers, and far beyond. Hence our criteria for judging your project proposal are evolving to take this into account!

Classically, required qualifications depended strongly upon where you were interested in working: for example, people working on BIOS/boot paths should be seriously "friends of the electrons", and not scared of JTAG and similar kinds of debugging.

EG. Most driver work takes normal driver debugging skills, though getting power management right can be more challenging than most driver development. And Window system development requires X experience, and so on; applications, experience in developing those or similar applications, and so on.

For a more up-to-date look, see the Meetings section below for actual examples of accepted and rejected proposals.

Expectations of Recipients

We would appreciate Bug Reports for any hardware or software issues you encounter, even if they are not in your own area of interest. Being technically capable, you are more likely to be able to help us isolate and fix bugs than non-technical users.

We would also appreciate it if you would read the Developer's Manual and join the community's communication's channels, the Support or Testing community.

Applying for an XO

If you have tried working with sugar-jhbuild and/or an emulator and have found that you really need a physical XO to develop on, please use this url to request a laptop: http://projectdb.olpc.at/

Applying for an Active Antenna

If you need an Active Antenna for development purposes, please note your need in a projectdb submission as noted above, and include 'mesh' or 'antenna' in the project title.


A deprecated way to request antennas or other nonstandard gear:

You can also send mail to the developer at laptop dot org email alias with the following information:

  1. Name
  2. Email address
  3. Employer (if any), University/College
  4. Shipping address and instructions [name, address, (cannot be a post office box), city, postal code, country, phone number (we need this for shipping ]
  5. Quantity of Active Antennas desired
  6. Description of your plans for the Antenna(s). Concrete proposals with defined outcomes are much more likely to result in an Antenna
  7. Description of your experience, both with hardware and software

As with other requests, presuming your request is approved, a mail message will be sent to you with shipping information, or a regret.

XO pools

These are local pools of XO's which are loaned out to developers or other individuals involved in promoting OLPC's mission. (For instance, it should also be possible to get a loan in order to do a demo or have presence at a conference). If you set up a pool on the list below, and you can show evidence that you are actively promoting your program and have a plan for dealing with customs, you should be able to request moderate numbers of XOs from OLPC.

  • Country, contact, number of XO's currently in pool/link to further info

(See also Repair centers; many of these can also function as XO pools.)

Meetings

Join us Fridays 2PM bringing an advocate for your project, who can independently vouch for your work, thanks!