GuruFest

Gurufest is a project to extend the work of the many employees now leaving OLPC. Each of these "OLPC alum" (our gurus) have an incredible base of knowledge and it will be difficult to fill their shoes and continue the work they diligently attacking. Gurufest attempts to open their work to the OLPC community as much as possible. By holding "conferences," we will hear the about the work these gurus have been doing and hear the direction they want the OLPC community to pursue in their absence. It is a time to get members excited about new opportunities and to hand over large chunks of knowledge that will keep the wheels turning on their work.

Current Status: Proposal

This project is still in the proposal phase. The wheels are turning, but individuals still need to be contacted and dates set before our planned conferences take place.

Who is a Guru

At present we are focusing on "OLPC alum" as gurus. We would like to catch our alum before the move on to bigger and better things. In the future, we are open to having more GuruFests with anyone with considerable OLPC/Sugar Labs experience and would like to spread their enthusiasm, projects, knowledge, direction.

Upcoming Fests

None scheduled yet, still in the organizing phases. If you are interested (especially if you would like to be a Guru!) contact us or mark your interest on the wiki somehow. Attendance approximations are always lovely.

Upcoming Gurus

• Mel Chua

Location

Gurufest is being organized by OLPC of Olin College. Because of our proximity to Boston, we would like to hold conferences at Olin Campus in Needham, MA.

Beautiful Olin College Campus

Google map of Olin College

Directions on getting to Olin from the admissions office

Contact Us

If you would like to be a guru, attend a fest, or otherwise get involved, feel free to email Colin Zwiebel colin dot zwiebel at students dot olin dot edu

Also, suggestions, feedback, whatever is greatly appreciated.

Documentation

Like SugarCamp and OLPC Camp, we would like to bring the events of gurufest to the global OLPC community. We plan to video record all talks and request that our attendees help update the wiki with any information they take from the event. We cannot hope to document everything our gurus know, but we would like to get as much of it down as possible.

To-do

Look into live streaming of conferences so other may "attend" long distance.

Get "approved"

Contact Gurus and set some conference dates.

()#@$ Figure out how to embed wikimedia images in laptop.org wiki

FAQs

Q: Isn't Gurufest futile? We cannot hope to take a brain dump of leaving OLPC employees!

A: Gurufest doesn't aim to pick our gurus brains for every piece of information they learned/used while at OLPC. It gives them a platform to share whatever they feel will be useful in continuing their work (including technical information, as they feel appropriate) and a platform to let the community hear about their exciting work.

Q. I'm not part of OLPC at Olin College, can I take part in gurufest?

A. Absolutely, this is not exclusive in any way. We do not mean to be exclusive in any way. Some of us just happen to be from Olin and think its a good (and inexpensive) venue for gurufest.

Q. Can we have a Gurufest outside of Olin?

A. Absolutely, but hold near the Boston area so we can attend (just kidding).

Q. How long is the fest?

A. We haven't planned for more than one day (though it is possible to do). Each fest will probably be a several hour event. We hope to hold these at regular intervals (week or two apart).