Jams
What is an OLPC Jam?
An OLPC Jam is a creative event designed to encourage (simultaneously) experimentation and innovation in the field participants are Jamming in and to produce open-license content for the OLPC project in a short amount of time. Experienced, prepared participants work in small teams to collaborate with domain and local experts and produce a concrete product to a pre-specified problem; the creative output of the event is deployed in the field directly after the Jam. It's high-intensity improvisational fun - some participants say they've never created in such a productive development environment before.
Upcoming Jams
- Translating Sugar to Aymara La Paz, Bolivia, likely October 2008
- PERU OLPC Jam: Hernan Pachas is organizing a jam during the VISION 2008 and Open Source Day planned for October at the University of San
Martin de Porres (USMP). Details will be forthcoming.
- Unconference: In the tradition of Barcamp, the weekend of 7 June, dedicated towards
community-organization, and initiatives, events, structures, and best practices. contact Mel Chua at mel at laptop.org for more information.
- Bootcamp: OLPC is also hosting a bootcamp and conference from 9–12 June 2008 in Cambridge, MA (Please contact Mel for more information.)
- Grassroots Jam: New York City on 14–15 June 2008, run by the bootcamp attendees.
Past OLPC Jams
- Family XO Mesh Meet-up: Mike Lee teamed up with Kevin Cole to host an event at Gallaudet University on 24 May. (See for event details.)
- May 17-18 2008: Ceibal Jam! Uruguay
- March 2008 -- Help to plan it! Problems Jam
- April 17-19 2008: Game_Jam_Brasil/2008
- April 18-20 2008: Health Jam in Seattle
- April 26/27 2008: LinuxFest Northwest 2008 (TBA: possible host to Jam related session, possible overview of above)
- April-May 2008: Community Jam during the Cambridge Science Festival in Boston
- August 6, 2007: Curriculum Jam Nepal
- Curriculum Jam Taipei (also known as Free Content Jam Taipei) - right before Wikimania, in parallel with Hacking Days
- Game Jam Boston June 2007
- OLPC Game Jam Nepal December 15, 2007: External link: OLPC Game Jam in Nepal
- September 21-23, 2007: Journalism Jam New York
- February 9, 2008: 2nd OLPC Game Jam Nepal - External link: OLPC Game Jam Nepal
- February 15-16, 2008 : 12 hr University Chapter Jam Boston (6pm Fri - 6am Sat)
- February 23rd 2008 - 5hr NYU OLPC Jam
Stalled Jams
The status of these jams is uncertain.
- October 5-7, 2007: Curriculum Jam Fall 2007
- January 25-27, 2008: Activity Jam Melbourne - right before Linux.conf.au
Jam Resources
- How To Run A Jam - also known as the Jam Cookbook, this is a guide for how to set up and run a Jam in your area.
- Jam in a box - proposal in development which may or may not happen, but comments and ideas are welcome. Would this be helpful to have?
Barcamp Resources
This section is about organizing a barcamp, which may be similar to organizing a Jam.
- Ten Steps to Organizing a Barcamp. by Crystal Williams
- Barcamp checklist, Christiane Link's handy
- From, How To Get Started:
- Find a venue. Definitely the hardest part of the process. Venue donations are ideal!
- Pick a date. Once you've got a place picked out, figure out when you want your event to happen. We've tended to try to hold Barcamps simultaneous with other events to mix up the attendee pool -- since you'll draw from both local and out-of-towners. What's most important is that it's convenient for you and works for your community.
- Communicate. Blog, Email, IRC, wiki and document everything! Seriously, the more transparent and communicative you are about your Barcamp, the more successful you'll be.
- Say what you need. Participants can be helpful and giving -- but if they don't KNOW that you need a few extra dollars to cover catering lunch/breakfast, t-shirts, whatever, then they can't step up to the plate and help. Remember: everyone participates. So, give everyone the information they need to be able to participate!