Contributors program/June 11, 2010

[ AGENDA ]

* XO-1.5 early production machines now available/shipping:
  http://blog.laptop.org/2010/02/25/xo-1-5-early-production-laptops-free-to-contributors-worldwide/

* New projects & libraries -- teaching them Community Outreach:
  http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO_Laptop_Lending_Libraries

* Which projects might you enjoy Mentoring below?!
  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 3D graphics testing - Ashland, Virginia
 #2 Peru Rainforest Volunteers
 #3 CNC milling machine integration - Media Lab, Cambridge, Massachusetts
 #4 Prakash Educational Software Package - Patiala/Punjab, India
 #5 OLPC for Paramaribo, Suriname / Peace Corps
 #6 6th/7th Grade Mesh Network Tutoring Program - Springfield, Massachusetts
 #7 Peace Corps Zambia Project - Northern Zambia


<CanoeBerry> Agenda: http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/devel/2010-June/028946.html
<CanoeBerry> Please provide any input you can as we breeze through this week, thanks!


[ PROJECT #1 - 3D graphics testing - Ashland, Virginia ]

<CanoeBerry> Project #1 - please help critique/support/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> 3D graphics testing - Ashland, Virginia
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62754
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] 
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 1 XO-1.5 over ? months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Improve usabilty of overall XO usability and 3D graphics testing.
* sverma  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> Atphalix in Morocco has already begun mentoring..
<CanoeBerry> But this needs more direction, thoughts?
<CanoeBerry> I propose we move forward if the mentoring process shows more progress.
* jnettlet  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> +.5 :)
<CanoeBerry> Objections?
<CanoeBerry> Sorry for the late afternoon Friday mtg, any quick votes most appreciated, from anyone here.
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> Tentatively approved, if follow-on mentoring shows progress.


[ PROJECT #2 - Peru Rainforest Volunteers ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #2 - plz all help critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> Peru Rainforest Volunteers
<CanoeBerry>    http://somosazucar.org
<CanoeBerry>    http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgz5x2t3_1f9qrrtwj
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63004
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 2 XO-1.5s over ? months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    "Malla es un taller itinerante, diseñado para fomentar la apropiación
<CanoeBerry>     tecnológica en comunidad."*
<CanoeBerry>    "Malla is a travelling workshop, designed to ease technology 
<CanoeBerry> appropriation
<CanoeBerry>     in community."
<CanoeBerry>    1. contacto con la COMUNIDAD local ( contacting local communities )
<CanoeBerry>    2. levantamiento de información BRECHA DIGITAL ( measure digital gap
<CanoeBerry>       metrics )
<CanoeBerry>    3. sesiones de aprendizaje y práctica AZÚCAR ( learning sessions with
<CanoeBerry>       Sugar )
<CanoeBerry> While the trip has already begun of course..
<CanoeBerry> Serious and committed outreach projects like this sound very worthy of support..
<CanoeBerry> +1
<CanoeBerry> Thoughts? Objections?
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> Tentatively APPROVED.


[ PROJECT #3 - CNC milling machine integration - Media Lab, Cambridge, Massachusetts ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #3 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> CNC milling machine integration - Media Lab, Cambridge, Massachusetts
<CanoeBerry>    http://makeyourbot.org
<CanoeBerry>    http://makeyourbot.org/mantis9-1
<CanoeBerry>    http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiouslee/sets/72157624026918475/
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63028
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests  XO over ? months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    "David Carr and Henry Holtzman at the Media Lab need an
<CanoeBerry>    XO-1.5 so that they can integrate their $87 CNC milling machine with
<CanoeBerry>    TurtleArt!"
<CanoeBerry> +1
<CanoeBerry> Thanks to Mike Lee for nurturing this.
<CanoeBerry> Input? Objections?
<CanoeBerry> Calling one..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> APPROVED!
<CanoeBerry> Summer doldrums continue.. glad everyone else's outside playing :)


[ PROJECT #4 - Prakash Educational Software Package - Patiala/Punjab, India ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #4 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> Prakash Educational Software Package - Patiala/Punjab, India
<CanoeBerry>    http://infernotech.co.cc
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63100
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 2 XOs over ? months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Sugarize Prakash Educational Software Package (ESP) to run on XO laptops.
<CanoeBerry>    Educational Software Package (ESP) prototypes have been initially 
<CanoeBerry> developed
<CanoeBerry>    using Microsoft’s C# and WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and the
<CanoeBerry>    package includes applications catering to the learning competencies
<CanoeBerry>    (reading, writing, listening and speech) of primary school children.
<CanoeBerry>    In addition, ESP also has a Multi-Point application that enables engaging
<CanoeBerry>    children in an application using more than once mice input to promote
<CanoeBerry>    collaborative learning.
<CanoeBerry> Hmm, fascinating, where is this headed?
<sverma> not sure where this is headed
<CanoeBerry> It's a long & ambitious proposal!
<CanoeBerry> Someone should engage them, perhaps I'll send a quick email to see..
<sverma> I find the multi-point application interesting, but the C# and WPF overhead...not sure how it will work.
<CanoeBerry> Indeed.
<CanoeBerry> On hold til they clarify?
<sverma> +1
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> ON HOLD, as I seek clarification &/or mentor.


[ PROJECT #5 - OLPC for Paramaribo, Suriname / Peace Corps ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #5 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> OLPC for Paramaribo, Suriname / Peace Corps
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63211
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 1 XO over 8 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Create a compact printed hand-out that explains the OLPC concept, the
<CanoeBerry>    basics of the learning approach, and about the XO machine. The
<CanoeBerry>    hand-out will use pictures and several local languages.  Background:
<CanoeBerry> http://www.sofos.nl/blog/2008/12/24/olpc-one-laptop-per-child-in-suriname/
* sonra  Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (EOF))
<CanoeBerry> Noting this project already has a +1 vote from culseg
<CanoeBerry> South America..
<CanoeBerry> Where they speak DUTCH!?
<CanoeBerry> How are Dutch translations in Sugar??
<CanoeBerry> I wish I know, anyone know?
<jnettlet> No idea.  Maybe they can help with the Translations as well
<CanoeBerry> http://translate.sugarlabs.org/nl/
<CanoeBerry> Translations seem near-complete, but that doesn't speak to the quality necessarily..
<CanoeBerry> Will need a mentor.
<CanoeBerry> +1 for tentative approval, towards exploration if the group shows competency.
<CanoeBerry> Objections?
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> TENTATIVE APPROVAL


[ PROJECT #6 - 6th/7th Grade Mesh Network Tutoring Program - Springfield, Massachusetts ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #6 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> 6th/7th Grade Mesh Network Tutoring Program - Springfield, Massachusetts
<CanoeBerry>    http://www.grade6xotutoring.webs.com
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63233
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] 
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 2 XOs over 6 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Our objectives are to help students in a younger grade than us (we will
<CanoeBerry>    be in 7th and helping 6th), do better in school by using computers and
<CanoeBerry>    communicating with each other through mesh networking, while at the same
<CanoeBerry>    time, sharing outcomes; new ways of teaching with the XO, on our project
<CanoeBerry>    website. With this concept, everyone will benefit from our project.
<CanoeBerry> Noting this application comes from a longtime OLPC fan, though I'm not sure if he has yet had access to an XO or Sugar!
<jnettlet> Those are obviously XO 1's because the 1.5's don't have mesh
<CanoeBerry> I think I will telephone the applicant and give him the benefit of the doubt if he can make basic progress.
<CanoeBerry> He sincerity is without question, despite his youth.
<CanoeBerry> Motion for tentative approval.
<CanoeBerry> Objections?
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> TENTATIVE APPROVAL


[ PROJECT #7 - Peace Corps Zambia Project - Northern Zambia ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #7, final project of the day - plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> Peace Corps Zambia Project - Northern Zambia
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63474 
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 1-5 XOs over 20 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Difficulties arise as rural Zambian children strive
<CanoeBerry>    for diverse and far-reaching opportunities beyond farming, carpentry, 
<CanoeBerry> domestic
<CanoeBerry>    house work, or working at the local tuck shop. One of the most 
<CanoeBerry> substantial
<CanoeBerry>    contributors to this grass-hut ceiling, holding so many rural Zambian 
<CanoeBerry> children
<CanoeBerry>    back, is a lack of access to both technology and the instruction of 
<CanoeBerry> its use.
<CanoeBerry>    This project’s design allows students to learn about
<CanoeBerry>    computers, their applications, and computer safety and maintenance. 
<CanoeBerry> Through
<CanoeBerry>    both the XO laptops and the instruction from myself and local Zambian
<CanoeBerry>    co-teachers, who will also be learning from me in order for the spread of
<CanoeBerry>    knowledge to continue even after my departure from Zambia (two years 
<CanoeBerry> from now).
<CanoeBerry> Armed with U.S. graduate-level computer courses, a
<CanoeBerry>    lifetime of computer use, and human resources with whom to consult, I am
<CanoeBerry>    qualified to teach computer literacy, and I have seen first hand the 
<CanoeBerry> potential
<CanoeBerry>    benefits offered by computer literacy courses.
<CanoeBerry>    With their newly acquired computer knowledge and
<CanoeBerry>    skills, the 8th and 9th grade children in Kapoko Zone
<CanoeBerry>    (includes 5 schools: 4 government and 1 community) will be better 
<CanoeBerry> prepared for
<CanoeBerry>    secondary school (the point at which many Zambian children are first 
<CanoeBerry> exposed to
<CanoeBerry>    computers), college (the point at which computer skills are 
<CanoeBerry> essential), and the
<CanoeBerry>    professional word (opening them up to a plethora of job opportunities).
<CanoeBerry>    Finally, the Peace Corps computer literacy project for
<CanoeBerry>    Kapoko zone schools (62474) serves to provide sustainable knowledge 
<CanoeBerry> transfer
<CanoeBerry>    and continuing education. In addition to teaching 8th and 9th
<CanoeBerry>    grade students computer literacy, I will be training interested teachers
<CanoeBerry>    through allowing them to co-teach the course.
<CanoeBerry> Clearly needs a bit of handholding, who out there might help just say hello?
<CanoeBerry> Orientation can be quick..
<CanoeBerry> So long as you point toward resources like:
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/ClassActs/Resources
<CanoeBerry> Motion to put this proposal "ON HOLD" until a mentor helps show them the ropes.
<CanoeBerry> Sincerity is clear, but applicant needs to study http://laptop.org/vision and http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Core_principles a bit more..
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<jnettlet> CanoeBerry: let me get back to you on that one
<CanoeBerry> jnettlet: Great, thanks, all suggestions appreciated (holt @ laptop.org)
<jnettlet> a woman that works at my wifes school is actually a transplant from Zambia and was very excited about the project
<jnettlet> She forwarded information over to her father.
<jnettlet> I might be able to coordinate something with her to pass information along
<CanoeBerry> Excellent, this is not the only small project in/around Zambia.
<CanoeBerry> Some cross-fertilization possibilities perhaps, let's follow up for sure over email.
<jnettlet> I will check with her early next week and see if we can get some coordination.
<CanoeBerry> jnettler: do you have access to the full proposal / comment / file here?
<CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63474
<jnettlet> I don't think so
<CanoeBerry> Plz do leave a comment there on-ticket if poss.
<CanoeBerry> Let me get you access right now.
<jnettlet> thanks
<CanoeBerry> I will email you a password, ok?
<jnettlet> sure
<CanoeBerry> Let's motion for "TENTATIVE APPROVAL" here as a result.
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
* deerpig  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> TENTATIVELY APPROVED, if mentoring progresses.
<CanoeBerry> Meeting Complete, thanks you all!!
<CanoeBerry> Adjourned.
<CanoeBerry> Have a great wkd, and hope to see OLPC/Sugar folks+friends all-day tomorrow in NYC at our free event here on Governors Island: http://FigmentProject.org