Contributors program

Intro

OLPC's Contributors Program encourages grassroots efforts to promote the XO laptop as an exceptional learning platform through social, environmental and economic projects that improve the quality of lives around the world. Everyone is encouraged to contribute, from educators, technologists, environmentalists, to research scientists, economists and beyond. Great ideas can come from anyone, limited only by your imagination. We encourage you to borrow free XO laptops if you or your group demonstrate committed volunteerism and ongoing support of our mission and principles:

Exemplary Projects

Some exemplary projects currently focus on:

• developing speech-to-text applications for deaf children
• using the XO as a highly portable disaster response solution
• using the XO as a low cost sensor to detect pathogens and contaminants in food, water and soil
• coding for the XO to be an Internet-enabled, real-time citizen journalism tool used in the developing world to help earn a livelihood
• improving, porting, and developing math and science activities for students and teachers

i.e. an incredible spectrum of ideas. In other words, the possibilities are limited only by your creativity.

See the current list of projects at http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects as inspiration for your creative ideas! No idea is too small, or too big to make a difference. Share your thoughts, apply to the Contributors Program, let's explore the options together, refine project details, and support efforts to change the world!

Drafting a stellar project proposal

OLPC's approval process tries to ensure that every project has clear and achievable goals, complete with detailed plan of action, timelines, and deliverables so your project can get going as soon as possible. Approval of your project depends on the quality and completeness of your project proposal as well as how well your project coincides with OLPCs' mission and principles.

What does a stellar project proposal look like?

It starts with a simple project template and then goes onto elaborate detail to cover each of the points therein. Remember, the focus of this program is to benefit the community. A compelling project proposal must cover all details for the project reviewer to be convinced of the projects potential to achieve that goal.

Please go to Contributors Program criteria page to see what information is needed to submit your proposal.

Here are some examples of stellar project proposals. Note the level of detail covered.

• XOs for Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief
• 2D Game Development Kit for XO
• Educational Toolkit

Submitting your project proposal, approval process & receiving XO laptops

Email your project proposal to contributors @ laptop.org. Please place project title & all relevant countries in the subject line.

Every project undergoes a Community Review, and if approved by a Community Mentor, your XO laptops will be shipped within a few weeks.

FAQ

Q: Why should I apply?

A: You will be able to move forward your personal goals and ideas by contributing along side a community of XO users and contributors that is growing worldwide, making a difference in improving the lives of children everywhere.

Q: What sort of review process does my proposal undergo?

A: Each week a group (that you could join as well) of people from the Contributors Program meets to review current proposals and to develop a consensus on their relative strengths and weaknesses. Usually a Community Mentor volunteers to help the submitter of the proposal to refine, reshape or discuss the proposal or to guide it towards acceptance.

Q: Who can help refine my proposal, and promote my work?

A: OLPC volunteers will work with you to mentor and provide an open-minded sounding board for your idea!

Q: What time frame is expected to receive hardware and etc. from OLPC?

A: This depends on the thoroughness of the proposal, and any further revisions or concerns by the Community Review in order to clarify goals and purposes of your project. Usually, upon approval, your hardware will be shipped in a few weeks.

Q: How does the shipping work? What if I live outside the United States?

A: OLPC can ship worldwide, subject to customs and trade restraints.

Q: What is expected of me or my organization in giving back to the OLPC community?

A: Try to contribute as much as possible in time and talents back to the OLPC community:

• Ongoing email updates, progress photos/videos & screenshots, and/or an inquisitive blog you keep off of http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects
• Completed community assets such as documentation, commented source code, hardware prototypes, field test data, or outreach materials to draw attention to your work!
• How about academic papers, conference talks, media coverage?

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Anil: I'm leaving the tentative layout in here as a reference until we flesh out all the details. We'll delete it at the end

TENTATIVE LAYOUT:

1. Why You Should Apply; What You Get (intro)

2. Model Inspirational Project(s)

3. How to Structure Your Proposal (help tighten up our Proposed Criteria)

4. Email yr proposal to contributors @ laptop.org (project title & all relevant countries in subject line)

5. CRISP FAQ defining review/mentoring/shipping/community-giveback expectations (ideally: included as popup links thruout the above?)