Contributors program/May 21, 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 XO-1.5 for "Getting Started" guide - New Orleans, Boston & South Africa
 #2 Improving School attendance rate and peformance - Kenya
 #3 XOphoto - Stillwater, MN & NYC, New York
 #4 The Chaucer Education Project - Canterbury, Kent, UK
 #5 Liga Masiva Coffee without Borders - Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
 #6 Water Scarcity Awareness Project - Africa, Australia, Europe/UK, Americas
 #7 Remapping LA - UCLA / Los Angeles
 #8 2nd Grade Special Ed Class, after school study - Arlington, Virginia
 #9 OLPC Armenia - San Francisco
 #10 Maasai Connection - Kenya & Prescott, Arizona


<GrannieB> Hi folks. Greetings from beautiful SoCal where the weeds in the gardens thrive!
<yomshalom> Hi GrannieB, where in socal? I am a california native
<GrannieB> I'm in Simi Valley. Born and grew up in Inglewood and Westchester. Product of LAUSD and UCLA
<yomshalom> I grew up in monterey... more central. and went to school at calpoly slo and now am in AZ
<GrannieB> CalPoly Slo is a great school!
<GrannieB> You must be very intellegent!
<yomshalom> well i did comp engineering there and then found that social justice is what I am really passionate about so I transfered
<yomshalom> its a good school for engineering... not as much for social justice
<yomshalom> you are the "RemappingLA" project i assume
<danbaker> Actually no, that is me!
<danbaker> I'm a recent UCLA graduate and current staff member there
<GrannieB> I'm  "just" a member of the Support Gang who helps folks get started on projects here in SoCal and MT and draggs XO all over to demonstrate, tests stuff, etc,etc,etc.
<GrannieB> excuse my typing!
<GrannieB> Adam, are you sending an email with the project summaries?
<yomshalom> very nice! congrats on the staff position. those jobs are getting fewer and fewer with the budget cuts. especially the UCs
<danbaker> Thanks yomshalom! I'm thankful just to have a job these days!
<CanoeBerry> My apologies there are about 10 projects this weeks, and so we will have to review very quickly when we start in about 10min!
<CanoeBerry> * Thanks For Your Patience *
<GrannieB> OK. We can just chat until then... or go check out out Facebook accounts ;)
<GrannieB> that was supposed to be a wink... directed at someone on this discussion who doesn't use FB
<yomshalom> there are still people that don't have a facebook?
<GrannieB> Yup. They sure miss a lot
* cjb raises hand for no-facebook
<GrannieB> if you are prudent in your choices of what info to post and put in your profile, you can cut down on the security issues.  It is a valuable social tool.
<GrannieB> cjb what do you suggest as an alternative?
<yomshalom> not to mention the incredible powers of grassroot organizing
<GrannieB> yomshalom, are we "friends?"
<yomshalom> on FB, i don't think so
<GrannieB> maybe we should friend each other.  Look for Caryl Bigenho
<yomshalom> hmmm... it can't find you
<yomshalom> try finding me: Jeremy Riddell-Kaufman
<yomshalom> check out the group 400,000 Faces too if you get a chance. its the first project I ran. you can friend me from there
<GrannieB> I found you! I just sent a friend request
<yomshalom> confirmed
<GrannieB> I checked out 400,000 Faces.  Very impressive.
<yomshalom> thank you
<GrannieB> do you have a project for consideration today?
<yomshalom> yes, the Maasai Connection
<CanoeBerry> Email agenda finally sent, check your inboxes in 1 min!
<CanoeBerry> Let's us begin in 1 minute.
<GrannieB> I haven't seen the summaries yet... will see in a minute if all goes well
<GrannieB> got it!
* jnettlet_  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: ready, set, go!
<GrannieB> Great!


[ PROJECT #1 - XO-1.5 for "Getting Started" guide - New Orleans, Boston & South Africa ]

<CanoeBerry> All plz help critique/mentor/vote for Project #1 here
* m_anish  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> XO-1.5 for "Getting Started" guide - New Orleans, Boston & South Africa
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62353
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 1 XO-1.5 over undetermined months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Revising http://laptop.org/start for XO-1.5
<CanoeBerry>    DRAFTing english revisions for:
<CanoeBerry> http://teach.laptop.org/~holt/laptoporg-refresh/10.2.0/gettingstarted/index.shtml
<CanoeBerry> PRE-APPROVED!


[ PROJECT #2 - Improving School attendance rate and peformance - Kenya ]

<CanoeBerry> Oops, that one's all set-- onto Project #2 now:
* Silver-Lemon-49  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> Improving School attendance rate and peformance - Kenya
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62399
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=49832
<CanoeBerry>    http://e4nfoundation.blogspot.com
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 8 XOs over undetermined months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Concrete proposals with defined, measurable outcomes are much more 
<CanoeBerry> likely to result in a laptop than it would be cool to play with these 
<CanoeBerry> and demo them .
<CanoeBerry>    1. Equip teachers and pupils with basic computer skills using the XO 
<CanoeBerry> laptop.
<CanoeBerry>    2. Improve understanding and performance of science subjects.
<CanoeBerry>    3. Actively engaging children in their learning process.
<CanoeBerry>    4. Increase school attendance rate in rural schools.
<CanoeBerry>    5. Introducing another medium of learning and communication using XO 
<CanoeBerry> laptop
<CanoeBerry> Thanks all for reviewing the above proposal. Let us know what you think!
<CanoeBerry> Noting the applicant has already received about 10 XOs, so we need to determine what's genuinely new and different here.
* kushal  has joined #olpc-meeting
<Silver-Lemon-49> .
<CanoeBerry> Indeed the applicant just received 8 XOs thru the Contributors Program 1 month ago, so I'm not sure a CP request is appropriate at this time regardless.
<CanoeBerry> Objections?
<CanoeBerry> Shall we move on to Project #3?
<GrannieB> how many students are involved?
<CanoeBerry> not sure, did you read th eblog?
<GrannieB> no just the app
<GrannieB> have they fulfilled their obligations with their other project?
* Tan-Silver-61  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> Their 1st project (RT49832) is still just getting off the ground.
<CanoeBerry> It is highly premature to be asking for more XOs on such a related project.  They can buy 100+ XOs if appropriate.
<GrannieB> maybe they should wait to try to do more
<CanoeBerry> Yes, they need to demonstrate deliverables used by deployments worldwide. Let us move on please.
<GrannieB> 100+ would be more appropriate.  I don't see how 8 will improve attendance for 100s of students. Loaves and fishes?
<CanoeBerry> Loaves?
<GrannieB> New Testament


[ PROJECT #3 - XOphoto - Stillwater, MN & NYC, New York ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #3 - please all help critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> XOphoto - Stillwater, MN & NYC, New York
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62466
<CanoeBerry>    http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Xophoto
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests  XOs over undetermined months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    The first release of XoPhoto will incorporate the following features:
<CanoeBerry>    1. Import from SD or USB flash drives into the XO Journal.
<CanoeBerry>    2. Create subsets of the images from the journal (imported or from
<CanoeBerry>       the Record Activity) into album subsets.
<CanoeBerry>    3. Provide limited capability to rotate, or crop images.
<CanoeBerry>    4. Export albums to folders that are accessible to Browse, and
<CanoeBerry>       thereby, to online destinations.
<CanoeBerry>    5. Some limited slideshow capability
<CanoeBerry> PRE-APPROVED!


[ PROJECT #4 - The Chaucer Education Project - Canterbury, Kent, UK ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #4 instead:
<CanoeBerry> The Chaucer Education Project - Canterbury, Kent, UK
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62619
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 3 XOs over undetermined months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    The concept model for The Chaucer Education Project evolved from 
<CanoeBerry> evaluation
<CanoeBerry>    of the difficulties encountered in understanding the theoretical concepts
<CanoeBerry>    in Chemical Physics, where theoretical principles have traditionally been
<CanoeBerry>    taught before demonstrating applications in projects. This approach
<CanoeBerry>    subsequently led to considering how best to research and develop 
<CanoeBerry> discovery
<CanoeBerry>    based teaching methods, to innovatively raise enthusiasm and academic
<CanoeBerry>    achievement from Entry to Postgraduate, preferably imminently leading to
<CanoeBerry>    the founding of Chaucer University as an open and distant learning
<CanoeBerry>    University of Technology improving basic skills. The Chaucer Education
<CanoeBerry>    Project website includes examples of real-time data sampling used within
<CanoeBerry>    teaching methods.
<GrannieB> ???
* jnettlet_ (~jnettlet@S010600240142f8d3.vc.shawcable.net) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<CanoeBerry> "Translation into the Afghanistan languages of Dari and Pashto are amongst developments envisaged from the outset."
<GrannieB> #3 Simple photo editing would be nice!  Can do some of this other ways but a dedicated Activity would be better Would this be an XO-1.5
<CanoeBerry> Which is great, but where's the meat?
* jnettlet_ (~jnettlet@S010600240142f8d3.vc.shawcable.net) has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> Conclusions on #4 here please?
<GrannieB> is #3 pre-approved?
<GrannieB> Haven't looked at 4 yet
<CanoeBerry> I'm skeptical so far -- #4 should borrow from OLPC UK if the locals there in the UK approve.
<CanoeBerry> Shall we move on?
<CanoeBerry> Plz vote.
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> ON HOLD
<GrannieB> -1 app needs reworking


[ PROJECT #5 - Liga Masiva Coffee without Borders - Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #5 - please all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> Liga Masiva Coffee without Borders - Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62662
<CanoeBerry>    http://www.ligamasiva.com/blog
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 10 XOs over 24 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    This project will benefit a community of organic coffee farmers and their
<CanoeBerry>    families in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, improving their ability to
<CanoeBerry>    profitably and sustainably direct their livelihoods. These farmers are
<CanoeBerry>    part of an innovative social business called Liga Masiva, a company that
<CanoeBerry>    works to promote a new direct trade model between the organic coffee 
<CanoeBerry> farmer
<CanoeBerry>    in Jarabacoa, and the roaster and consumer in New York. Liga Masiva cuts
<CanoeBerry>    out the middlemen in the transnational coffee trade, creating a direct
<CanoeBerry>    and mutually beneficial partnership with the farmers. A premium price
<CanoeBerry>    for the farmers' coffee is assured and Liga Masiva partners with the
<CanoeBerry>    farmers on long-term coffee, community, and environmental projects.
<CanoeBerry>    The affected communities are in remote areas with very little access
<CanoeBerry>    to communication. The farmers and their families have acknowledged
<CanoeBerry>    their lack of computer access as an impediment to their education
<CanoeBerry>    and livelihood. The computers will be family tools, creating a
<CanoeBerry>    synergy between the child's use of the computer for educational
<CanoeBerry>    ends and the farmer's use of the computer for coffee-related ends.
<CanoeBerry>    The computers will give the farmer access to:
<CanoeBerry>    World coffee prices
<CanoeBerry>    Weather reports
<CanoeBerry>    Better agricultural practices
<CanoeBerry>    Communication and connections between themselves and other actors
<CanoeBerry>     in the coffee supply chain.
<CanoeBerry>    The computers will give the children of the farm families access to:
<CanoeBerry>    Basic computer literacy
<CanoeBerry>    Communication with people outside of their community
<CanoeBerry>    Internet-based resources (like Wikipedia) that can enrich and
<CanoeBerry>     facilitate their educational goals.
<CanoeBerry> Whew!
* kushal  Quit (Quit: Leaving)
<CanoeBerry> These folk need to come try out XOs in person Saturday June 12 on Governors Island:
<CanoeBerry> http://figmentproject.org
<GrannieB> do they have internet in the rural area where they will be working?
<CanoeBerry> Not sure.
<GrannieB> sort of depends on it
<Tan-Silver-61> Hi! There is internet in some of the areas in Jarabacoa
<CanoeBerry> Tan-Silver-61: are you part of this group in NYC?
<Tan-Silver-61> yes i am
<CanoeBerry> Can you introduce your work quickly?
<GrannieB> could this project be more child-central rather than parent-central?
<CanoeBerry> Explaining how OLPC's XO laptops would be suitable?
<Tan-Silver-61> We want to introduce to the entire family
<Tan-Silver-61> but we can make it more child-central
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB aside: there is certainly very active Internet use by this group in NYC: http://twitter.com/ligamasiva
<Tan-Silver-61> Liga Masiva is a community that works with the organic coffee farmers and their consumers
<Tan-Silver-61> we want to make it more accessible for the farmers and their families to have access to the internet
* dogi_ waves
<CanoeBerry> Tan-Silver-61: are you suggesting the Sugar Learning environment?
* sandrat (~97cb42d8@olpc.osuosl.org) has joined #olpc-meeting
<Tan-Silver-61> in our proposal?
<dogi_> yomshalom: no facebook too
<CanoeBerry> Tan-Silver-61: we need to understand better how this work advances OLPC's vision and 5 principles: http://laptop.org/vision
<sandrat> sorry late, but here now
<CanoeBerry> Can you explain how this will improve education for young kids in school?
<Tan-Silver-61> canoeberry: We are going to work with a local after school program to be able to include it in the curriculum
<CanoeBerry> Tan-Silver-61: we need to conclude -- can you perhaps meet OLPC's NYC community June 12 to see if this can work?
<Tan-Silver-61> of course
<CanoeBerry> Thanks as the planning process takes time, and you should start with 1 or 2 XO laptops if this is serious!
<CanoeBerry> What do others think?
<GrannieB> on hold
<CanoeBerry> Tan-Silver-61: we will be on Governors Island (free ferry) starting soon after 10am.
<CanoeBerry> Plz do join so we can see you there and talk, ok?!
<Tan-Silver-61> CanoeBerry: Thank you! We will be there
<CanoeBerry> Great.


[ PROJECT #6 - Water Scarcity Awareness Project - Africa, Australia, Europe/UK, Americas ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #6 now - please all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> Water Scarcity Awareness Project - Africa, Australia, Europe/UK
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62681
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 1 XO over 6 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    - To teach children about the challenges faced by water scarcity in the
<CanoeBerry>      world.
<CanoeBerry>    - To educate children of the need for water conservation and to raise
<CanoeBerry>      awareness of products that require high water usage for their 
<CanoeBerry> production.
<CanoeBerry>    - The outcomes would involve children learning about regions in the world
<CanoeBerry>      where water scarcity is a problem as well as to inspire them on the
<CanoeBerry>      scientific progress in water conservation and drought resistant 
<CanoeBerry> farming.
<CanoeBerry>    - This will also include basic advice on water treatment and sanitation
<CanoeBerry>      methods.
<GrannieB> this is a software development project?
<CanoeBerry> Content development?
<Silver-Lemon-49> Hi I'm Dave, I put in the proposal for the Water Scarcity Project
* Tan-Silver-61  Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (EOF))
<GrannieB> There is a need for more Activities about Water Conservation for Sugar.  I only know of one so far
<Silver-Lemon-49> I have developed a prototype Activity that displays guidance from UNICEF, UNESCO  on water santitation and conservation into an interactive game.It demonstrates progress on techology such as water testing, testing for phosphate, ions pollution etc
<GrannieB> oooooo sounds interesting!
<Silver-Lemon-49> thanks! My main request is for a XO to help me push this project forward
<sandrat> articulation of goals and impact of just two XOs is very good in the ticket
<CanoeBerry> Silver-Lemon-49: your work sounds awesome, where can we see screenshots and/or download a prototype?
<Silver-Lemon-49> I hope to have one at the end of this month.
<sandrat> well thought out how XO characteristics can create a high impact learning environment for water
<CanoeBerry> How are you developing today?
<Silver-Lemon-49> on an emulator
<CanoeBerry> Which?
<Silver-Lemon-49> the one from ubuntu,
<CanoeBerry> We will send an XO if you deliver.
<Silver-Lemon-49> deliver the activity? sure I have most the content ready
<CanoeBerry> Sorry XO-1.5s are in tight supply, so it will likely have to be our traditional XO-1
<Silver-Lemon-49> no problem that would be ideal
<Silver-Lemon-49> I need it mainly to see how my game will perform
<CanoeBerry> In future we can send an XO-1.5 if you need and make steady progress.
<CanoeBerry> Sounds great.
<Silver-Lemon-49> that sounds good to me:)
<CanoeBerry> +1
<sandrat> +1
<GrannieB> +1
<CanoeBerry> Please all vote, and raise usability concerns the applicant should be exploring.
<GrannieB> everyone can vote!)
<CanoeBerry> Only once!
<dogi_> :P
<dogi_> +10
<yomshalom> +1
<CanoeBerry> APPROVED
<Silver-Lemon-49> Thank you v much! I really appreciate it :)
<CanoeBerry> Silver-Lemon-49: please keep http://olpcwarwick.blogspot.com lively when you have a moment, monthly at the minimum, ok?
<Silver-Lemon-49> sure thing!
<CanoeBerry> THX
<Silver-Lemon-49> is there anything I else I need to do?
<CanoeBerry> Just don't stop, keep in touch, and thanks for sticking it out Friday night in the UK!


[ PROJECT #7 - Remapping LA - UCLA / Los Angeles ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #7 Now -- plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<Silver-Lemon-49> no problem :)
<CanoeBerry> Remapping LA - UCLA / Los Angeles
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62709
<CanoeBerry>    http://bigriver.remap.ucla.edu/remap/index.php/Remapping_LA [NEEDS 
<CanoeBerry> UPDATE]
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 10 XOs over 6.5 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Currently, students, artists and researchers from UCLA has been tasked
<CanoeBerry>    with creating individual and collective interpretive media works to be
<CanoeBerry>    publicly shown at the Los Angeles State Historic Park (LASHP) in the 
<CanoeBerry> summer
<CanoeBerry>    of 2010. They will be focusing on new forms of social media, community
<CanoeBerry>    experience, and historical memory, including locative narrative, 
<CanoeBerry> interactive
<CanoeBerry>    storytelling, interpretive databases, physical interfaces, mobile 
<CanoeBerry> devices,
<CanoeBerry>    Wi-Fi environments, media-rich installations, etc.
<CanoeBerry>    The XO Laptops offer a unique tool to use in these projects at LASHP. The
<CanoeBerry>    dual-mode screen is perfect for developing creative applications on its
<CanoeBerry>    full-color mode, and for outdoor viewing while in the Park on it's
<CanoeBerry>    black-and-white mode . The built in microphone and camera could allow
<CanoeBerry>    for recordings of soundscapes of the City, interviews with its 
<CanoeBerry> inhabitants,
<CanoeBerry>    and photographic montages of its streets. The ability to program
<CanoeBerry>    applications (Scratch, EToys) on this device offers endless possibilities
<CanoeBerry>    for these projects.
<CanoeBerry>    UCLA and California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) have been
<CanoeBerry>    actively engaged with research and community development collaboration
<CanoeBerry>    since 2006. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UCLA
<CanoeBerry>    Center for Research in Engineering, Media and Performance, LASHP has
<CanoeBerry>    served as a “living laboratory” for research in the use of media,
<CanoeBerry>    audio-visual and other technologies in a public space setting to
<CanoeBerry>    document, explore, and express the histories and identities of
<CanoeBerry>    communities. LASHP has only been open since 2006 and is still in the
<CanoeBerry>    formative stages of park wide design and construction. This project
<CanoeBerry>    will build from the previous MOU to provide additional outreach,
<CanoeBerry>    research, testing, and prototypes to support media-rich, technology-
<CanoeBerry>    based programs to facilitate interpretation and community involvement
<CanoeBerry>    for LASHP.
* Silver-Lemon-49  Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (EOF))
<CanoeBerry> Burp.
<CanoeBerry> irc digesting of longer proposal complete!
<danbaker> Hi I'm the Field Project Manager for this project.  Please let me know if you have any questions
<danbaker> Sorry for the wordiness!
<dogi_> hi danbaker
<CanoeBerry> danbaker: plz give us a quick intro now if you can!
<danbaker> We currently have a team of students, artists and researchers creating projects for a new park in Downtown LA
<CanoeBerry> I thought LA does not allow parks ;)
<GrannieB> We have the world's largest city park... Griffith Park, famous for the Planetarium
<danbaker> This is the first urban State park in LA
<danbaker> sorry in CA
<dogi_> :P
<CanoeBerry> danbaker: how will you kickstart this, and how is the Sugar Learning Platform helpful?
<sandrat> I really like that the kids can participate in providing content by using the XO, and the connection to a portal sounds very cool
* deerpig  has joined #olpc-meeting
<danbaker> We're hoping to use XO Laptops in the development of the project, designing unique applications on them for the community to use in the park
<CanoeBerry> What is your app-development experience?
<danbaker> We recently signed an updated Agreement with California Department of Parks
and Rec, in order to develop programming for the LASHP
<CanoeBerry> Cool, is this on a blog somewhere?
<danbaker> We have a dedicated programmer from the Computer Science dept on our team for this project
<sandrat> How many laptops are requested?
<CanoeBerry> 10 XOs are requested, which is quite high for a new project.
<danbaker> We have an internal wiki we are using to begin brainstorming, but unfortunately we have not launched the public web portal yet, that is coming in June
<CanoeBerry> 2 XOs should be considered for new projects generally.
<CanoeBerry> Will the portal contain a blog-like component?
<danbaker> We'll be happy with as many as we can get.  We're hoping to have a large turnout for the opening in the park, and want to accommodate
<sandrat> This has great potential.  I vote for 2 to get started
<GrannieB> Timeline shows putting the XOs in the Park in August
<sandrat> Maybe you can get some donated from LA communities
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB & others: please ask questions to help us all understand how this might work.
<danbaker> images, sounds, video etc), the blog would probably be a link off of the portal chronicling the process
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: Should BW be involved in this?
<sandrat> So XOs will be connected to portal, and kids can help collect information about the park that gets posted to the portal?
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: our friend BW of RT54975
<danbaker> Correct, images/sounds/video/etc about the Park and their neighborhoods' community/culture/history
<GrannieB> If he has time it would be great!
<CanoeBerry> danbaker: has your software-oriented colleague played with the Sugar Learning environment?
<GrannieB> we don't have a lot of extra XOs floating around in LA.  We're working on that.
<GrannieB> I know who you mean... I can call him today.
<danbaker> Unfortunately, I'm not sure.  Though I am positive he could pick it up quickly.  Perhaps there is someone at UCLA who has that we can get to collaborate, or an member of the OLPC community?
<CanoeBerry> danbaker: please have him look over this brand new guide to developing software on Sugar / XO :
<danbaker> It would be great to get all the students/artists up to speed on developing for the XO platform
<CanoeBerry> http://en.flossmanuals.net/ActivitiesGuideSugar
<CanoeBerry> Or her?
<GrannieB> There may be someone on the SoCal mailing list.  We have a lot of folks from SCaLE there
<danbaker> Perfect, I'll forward this his way.
<CanoeBerry> Static content such as e-books and libraries and collections may also be appropriate.
<CanoeBerry> Where should we leave this today?
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB & others: is it premature to send 1 or 2 XO-1s?
<GrannieB> +1 for 10 so we don't have to revisit before August
<CanoeBerry> Not possible.
<sandrat> +1
<CanoeBerry> We don't give out 10 XOs to projects without tangible output.
<GrannieB> As a UCLA grad, I trust their ability to come through with this
<dogi_> GrannieB, :)
<danbaker> We can post all content created for the XO online
<CanoeBerry> 2 XOs today are under consideration.
<GrannieB> How long do they have to wait to ask for the rest?
<GrannieB> Can they ask for more than 10 then if their work is exemplry?
<sandrat> +1 for 2.  I bet they could request some donations from LA community
<CanoeBerry> XO-1.5s and/or larger numbers of XO-1s are possible in future if this project bears fruit, that the world can take advantage of.
<danbaker> Unfortunately the time scope of this project is geared toward everything happing in the summer
<danbaker> though I sure we will continue prototyping at the park
<GrannieB> What do they have to do to prove themselves?
<CanoeBerry> We meet every week, with some exceptions.
<CanoeBerry> Software/content demos speak for themselves, hopefully soon in June right?
<danbaker> We already have a weekly meeting for this project happening on Tuesday evenings, so that seems do-able
<CanoeBerry> Let us conclude.
<CanoeBerry> Motion for 2 XOs so this group can prove themselves.
<danbaker>  the soft opening of the project will debut end of July
<GrannieB> +1 for 2 now, revisit asap for rest in time for August opening of the Park
<CanoeBerry> +1
<GrannieB> p.s. this will be great PR for OLPC
<danbaker> the event will definitely get some publicity
<dogi_> +1/2
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: plz consider loaning them your XO-1.5, as we should have a small pool of these in Los Angeles for those "absolutely requiring" new hardware.
<danbaker> Prototyping on a new device would be fantastic for the students
<GrannieB> They are going to MT except for the two I have lent to Moorpark College to get their project underway
<CanoeBerry> danbaker: if your tech developer replies to contributors@laptop.org with his forward direction by end of month that might help.
<GrannieB> Oh...the 1.5  Could do that if someone can pick it up before Wednesday and mail it to MT when they get their own 1.5
* sverma  Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<dogi_> +1 CanoeBerry :)
<danbaker> Sure, we're happy to keep you all updated on our progress
* sverma  has joined #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> APPROVED. Sorry OLPC does not have XO-1.5s to spare at this time, but we will revisit in June.
<CanoeBerry> Thanks all.
<danbaker> Thanks everyone!


[ PROJECT #8 - 2nd Grade Special Ed Class, after school study - Arlington, Virginia ]

<CanoeBerry> Let us move onto Project #8 - please all critique/mentor/vote for:
<GrannieB> Dan, I'll call you and see if there is some way you can arrange to pick up the one 1.5 I have.
<CanoeBerry> 2nd Grade Special Ed Class, after school study - Arlington, Virginia
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62713
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 5-10 XOs over 3 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Create wikis on OLPC and a blog on Blogger with:
<CanoeBerry>    1 - detail how we integrated study hall and the students homework 
<CanoeBerry> assignments
<CanoeBerry>    2 - lessons learned from teaching
<CanoeBerry>    3 - ideas for teaching each sugar application
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: thanks, and plz add a quick Comment to RT62709 when u do!
<GrannieB> will do
<CanoeBerry> Pjt #8 here has experience w/ OLPCorps in Africa.
<sandrat> Don't know why this project needs XO, why any computer wouldn't work.
<CanoeBerry> Proposal need more flesh.
<CanoeBerry> I'd suggest.
<CanoeBerry> Motion to put this on hold until we find out more.
<CanoeBerry> Objections?
<CanoeBerry> +0
<sandrat> Learning tied to XO is not specified
<GrannieB> These folks need to get in contact with the DC group.
<sandrat> +0
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: the applicant is a DC regular.
<CanoeBerry> But his proposal needs more beef.
<CanoeBerry> Agreed?
<GrannieB> +0
<sandrat> agreed
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> ON HOLD until proposal is reinforced, and explained with a live blog ideally.
<CanoeBerry> Thanks all.


[ PROJECT #9 - OLPC Armenia - San Francisco ]

<CanoeBerry> Onto Project #9 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> OLPC Armenia - San Francisco
<CanoeBerry>    http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62721
<CanoeBerry>    http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~levine
<CanoeBerry>    http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~sverma
<CanoeBerry>    http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_SanFranciscoBayArea
<CanoeBerry>    [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>    Requests 2 XO-1.5s over 12 months
<CanoeBerry>    Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>    Translation of Sugar into Armenian. Dr. Levine will carry the XOs to
<CanoeBerry>    Armenia in June, where the activity of translation will be set up in
<CanoeBerry>    the Computer Science program at the American University of Armenia.
<CanoeBerry>    http://www.aua.am
<CanoeBerry> sverma: can you introduce?
<sverma> hello
<CanoeBerry> thanks
<CanoeBerry> What's going on in Amernia?
<CanoeBerry> And why do they need XO-1.5s to translate?
<sverma> Levine has well established CS program in Armenia
<sverma> the need is two phased
<sverma> establish a volunteer community
<sverma> and pursue a local funded deployment that's in the works
<CanoeBerry> Where will this be blogged or tweeted?
<sverma> on the wiki for now
<CanoeBerry> Which wiki?
<sverma> link to blog by mid june
<sverma> w
<sverma> l.o
<sandrat> This is a worthy project, esp. if XO projets will result from the development work
<sandrat> How much interest in XO/Sugar is there in Armenia?
<CanoeBerry> Walter Bender created this Armenian keyboard almost 30 months ago:
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_Armenian_Keyboard
<sverma> that's the plan
<GrannieB> Wouldn't XO-1s work?  It seems like we have no 1.5s at the moment
<sverma> I might visit over the summer too
<sandrat> So there is a local funded deployment.  What stage is it in now?
<sverma> 1.5 create a better impression
<CanoeBerry> Conclusion?
<sverma> local deployment but can't say it funds are local
<GrannieB> That's why I need mine to take to MT, but since none are available at the moment, it is going to get a UCLA education first!
<sandrat> Is the a committment by the aua computer science program
<CanoeBerry> I vote +1 but don't know if OLPC can provide 2 XO-1.5s at this time. It might only be 1.
<sandrat> How many XOs?  I'm in favor of this.
<CanoeBerry> Plz all vote, thx!
<dogi_> +1
<GrannieB> +1 for 2 XO-1s
<sverma> yes
<sverma> ok
<sverma> 2 xos
<sverma> sorry imn on a phone
<sandrat> +1
<sverma> slow typing
<CanoeBerry> +1 for XOs for all of Armenia's 3 million people.
<CanoeBerry> APPROVED.
<sverma> thx
<GrannieB> MT only has 900,000 people so they don't count?


[ PROJECT #10 - Maasai Connection - Kenya & Prescott, Arizona ]

<CanoeBerry> Thanks all -- onto Project #10, our last of the day -- plz all critique/mentor/vote for:
<CanoeBerry> Maasai Connection - Kenya & Prescott, Arizona
<CanoeBerry>     http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=62722
<CanoeBerry>     [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF 
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ]
<CanoeBerry>     Requests 10 XOs over undetermined months
<CanoeBerry>     Project Objectives:
<CanoeBerry>     Our project objective is to create equality for the Maasai in Kenya. 
<CanoeBerry> One of
<CanoeBerry>     our main ways of doing this is through education in the following ways:
<CanoeBerry>     - Provide online tutoring to rural Maasai students to enable them to 
<CanoeBerry> pass
<CanoeBerry>       the Kenya Certification of Primary Education (KCPE) test and thus 
<CanoeBerry> achieve
<CanoeBerry>       entrance into secondary school.
<CanoeBerry>     - Provide a digital library to Maasai students, helping to alleviate the
<CanoeBerry>       desperate need for books.
<CanoeBerry>     - Give the resources to match students’ excitement to learn.
<CanoeBerry>     - Establish a laptop lending library for students to use them at 
<CanoeBerry> home and
<CanoeBerry>       outside of school.
<CanoeBerry>     - To enable webcam communication for pen-pal programs between rural
<CanoeBerry>       Maasailand and “western” societies.
* m_anish  Quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
<CanoeBerry> What do we say?
<yomshalom> I will be representing this project
<CanoeBerry> Great!
<CanoeBerry> Please introduce your work.
<GrannieB> is there internet there?
<yomshalom> we are going to establish it
<yomshalom> hopefully with help from the IMAGINE Africa program
<CanoeBerry> Who's funding the Internet & other support structures?
<yomshalom> we are fundraising
<yomshalom> we have 1,500 so far
<CanoeBerry> http://MaasaiConnection.org
<yomshalom> The maasai are currently be treated as the native americans were. our mission
is to create equality so that they are relieved of the persecution
<CanoeBerry> http://kenyahistorycultureandcurrentissues.blogspot.com
<CanoeBerry> Where will you get electricity?
<yomshalom> that is our class blog
<yomshalom> solar
<GrannieB> change "were" to "are" re native Americans
<yomshalom> true
<CanoeBerry> Given that the small 10W solar panels (for individuals, not professional school installations) will not be available from http://iLoveMyXO.com before July?
<CanoeBerry> Whose solar electical solution will you use?
<yomshalom> they have some already set up and we are working on getting more
* sverma  has left #olpc-meeting
<CanoeBerry> yomshalom: what XO & Sugar Learning Platform experience does your group have?
* sverma  has joined #olpc-meeting
<yomshalom> We have been recently introduced to it. I have run the live sugar platform on stick on my computer and tested it out
<sverma> I'd like to know more about this project.
<yomshalom> anything in particular?
<sverma> We have Peter Biella on our campus who has been working with the Maasai for many years now
<sverma> http://bss.sfsu.edu/anthro/biellapage.html
<sverma> He has interest in tech for maasai
<yomshalom> thats great!
<yomshalom> we are working dirrectly with the maasai and a comunity based organization there
<sandrat> Does the group already have a relationship in the school.  It sounds as if they have been to this community for other work?
<yomshalom> they will implement it in a way that will not damage their culture
<yomshalom> yes
<yomshalom> every summer a class goes to work with them
<sverma> that has been the main concern...tech, but minimal cultural intrusion
<sandrat> What are the stages of this project?   Do you have a school- teachers already interested, or will the adoption be a stage
<sverma> always reminds me of the prime directive
<yomshalom> yes, we have 2 instructors (1 is a native maasai)
<sandrat> Will you need time to get school on board, or does the local group work that for you
<dogi_> sverma, :)
<CanoeBerry> yomshalom: are you in touch with other OLPC enthusiasts in the Phoenix, AZ area?
<yomshalom> the school is on board
<sverma> dogi_: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Directive
<sandrat> Do you plan some teacher training?
<yomshalom> yes, we will be there for 2 months and we will be teaching and training durring that time
<sandrat> Two months is good to get started
<yomshalom> we plan to set it up so they can use the laptops even after we have left
* m_anish  has joined #olpc-meeting
<yomshalom> although we are aware of the group in phoenix we aren't quite sure how they can help the project
<sandrat> how many XOs are requestted?
<CanoeBerry> how many XO-1s make sense?
<yomshalom> our goal is to get 54 total (probably won't meet it) we are requesting 10 of them from OLPC and looking for donated ones for the rest
<sandrat> The training period will need fewer initially as it takes time to scale up the local resources
<sverma> how many people involved in training?
<yomshalom> 12
<sverma> if we tag team it in twos, that would mean 6 XOs
<yomshalom> there are 540 kids we will be working with... that is why we are looking for 54... 1 for every 10
<GrannieB> TCPL
<yomshalom> ?
<GrannieB> Ten Children Per Laptop!
<sandrat> It take some scaling up to be ready to work with 540 kids.  Start smaller
<dogi_> tousend C P L
* sverma  Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC)
<yomshalom> we are aiming high. if we do not make it then we will work with one of the two villages
<sandrat> start with 6 - 10 XOs
<CanoeBerry> What do other deployments get out of this?
<sandrat> then do a classroom
<GrannieB> Listen to Sandra. She knows what she is talking about.
<yomshalom> what do you mean by classroom?
<CanoeBerry> Reminder: OLPC cannot support shared computer implementations -- child ownership is central: http://laptop.org/vision
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Core_principles
<sandrat> target some specific gaps in the learning program (abstract thinking or problem solving) show that you can fill that gap.  That is needed to convince Kenyan educators of the value
<sandrat> and helps other Kenyan projects
<dogi_> olpc's primary directive
<CanoeBerry> So let's bring this to a close.
<CanoeBerry> We need a consensus.
<sandrat> +1 for 6-10 XOs
* danbaker  Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (Ping timeout))
<dogi_> difficult ...
<sandrat> maybe that need more specific plan - not just jump into 540 students
* homunq  Quit (Ping timeout: 245 seconds)
<CanoeBerry> This project is wonderful in its ambitions, but not all are aligned with
OLPC's, and there are a lot of question marks as to what can be complete within the month when the trip from Arizon to Kenya occurs.
<sandrat> But if they work with teachers that plan can develop
<CanoeBerry> I suggest for 2 XO-1s to be shipped immediately, and strong followup -- who can mentor?
<sandrat> I will mentor.. at least try in my somewhat inconsistent way
<GrannieB> Yomshalom has a history of making things happen.  I trust him! +1 for 10
<CanoeBerry> GrannieB: plz be specific
<sandrat> +1 2 XOs
<sandrat> Put someone else on also to mentor.  GrannieB?
<GrannieB> see his 400,000 Faces project on Facebook   Oh, I forgot...
<CanoeBerry> Let's finalize.
<yomshalom> or this site http://studentsfordarfur.org
<CanoeBerry> We need details before we ship 10.
<CanoeBerry> Sorry.
<yomshalom> what details are you missing?
<yomshalom> the 540 students?
<GrannieB> Yes, I'd love to help mentor.
<CanoeBerry> Proven software & content that is sharable with other deployments.
<CanoeBerry> Remember the Contributors Program is not a charity.
<CanoeBerry> It is an investment.
<CanoeBerry> We are investing in your ability to produce software or content that others around the world can thrive with.
<CanoeBerry> We need to see that work before we invest in you.
<yomshalom> of course, we are just asking to help your mission of providing laptops to children for educational purposes
<CanoeBerry> Help needs to be specific.
<sandrat> This project needs a pedagogical focus with achievable outcomes
<GrannieB> What is the smallest number that would work for now?
<CanoeBerry> We're happy to ship 10 when we see specific results.
<GrannieB> Would 2 work for you?
<yomshalom> 2 would definietly work. we will be able to show you our progress and perhapps next years class could work with you as well
<GrannieB> +1 for 2
<CanoeBerry> Let's meet again in early June.
<CanoeBerry> And remember if donations is what you seek, post here:
<CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Donate_Your_Get_One
<CanoeBerry> Sorry to be so direct, but the Contributors Program does not provide donations.
<CanoeBerry> +1 for 2 XO-1s
<dogi_> +1
<CanoeBerry> Calling once..
<CanoeBerry> Calling twice..
<CanoeBerry> Calling thrice..
<CanoeBerry> APPROVED for 2 XO-1s
<CanoeBerry> Long Meeting Concluded, THANKS ALL!
<yomshalom> thank you all
<GrannieB> Lunch at last!