Contributors program/July 2, 2010
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[ 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 6 latest (greatest!) HW/Project Proposals -- please join us advocating for, and/or reviewing shortcomings of these proposals: #1 SaigonOLPC - Somerville, Massachusetts & Vietnam #2 Columbus School for Girls - Broken XOs for Parts - Ohio #3 OLPC Bahamas #4 Amadou Basse Sall Primary School OLPC Edu Prjct - Dagana, Senegal #5 Lap-Swap: Integrating Technology for Education - Tempe, Arizona #6 Ntugi/UCC: Kenya, Canada <CanoeBerry> Hi all, apologies our Contributors Program meeting will start 2:30pm today! * tch has joined #olpc-meeting * manusheel has joined #olpc-meeting * kolds has joined #olpc-meeting * kolds is now known as NtugiKevin * KGMac has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> 2min warning, ready to start in a moment! <CanoeBerry> Plz review past meetings for our critiquing/mentoring/voting approach: <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Contributors_program/meetings <CanoeBerry> At long last -- agenda here: <CanoeBerry> http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/devel/2010-July/029153.html <CanoeBerry> Shall we? <CanoeBerry> Thanks all who have just a moment to critique other projects -- or mentor -- or vote! [ PROJECT #1 - SaigonOLPC - Somerville, Massachusetts & Vietnam ] <CanoeBerry> Very quickly now, let's fly thru right before the American long wkd -- starting with Project #1 here: <CanoeBerry> SaigonOLPC - Somerville, Massachusetts & Vietnam <CanoeBerry> http://saigonolpc.wordpress.com <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63763 <CanoeBerry> [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO-1.5s over 2 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> Improve children’s education and their skills at Ba <CanoeBerry> Chieu Shelter in Saigon. Phase two is needed to follow up on how <CanoeBerry> actively girls are using the Xos and how much should be taught to them <CanoeBerry> to make them feel comfortable to sue XO in everyday life. <CanoeBerry> Ba Chieu Shleter is a role model for other Shelter in the city <CanoeBerry> It is a pilot project in the South of Vietnam, a part of Vietnam OLPC <CanoeBerry> project. This project is important in building OLPC community and <CanoeBerry> raising awareness of Open Source Software and XO laptops <CanoeBerry> +1 is my my vote as this applicant has been a very thorough longtime contributor. <CanoeBerry> Comments? <CanoeBerry> Critiques? <CanoeBerry> Votes? <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> APPROVED [ PROJECT #2 - Columbus School for Girls - Broken XOs for Parts - Ohio ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #2 -- please all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> Columbus School for Girls requesting broken XOs for parts - Ohio <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=63782 <CanoeBerry> [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] <CanoeBerry> Requests ? XOs <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> The main objective of this project is to interest and engage high school <CanoeBerry> girls in computer science through this hands-on, real-world, socially <CanoeBerry> relevant service learning project. Our school typically only fields <CanoeBerry> 2-3 students in any given computer science class we offer, and they <CanoeBerry> are always the same 2-3 students. This project attracted over 40 <CanoeBerry> students initially, which is almost 15% of our student body. The <CanoeBerry> service learning trip is the “hook” I needed to interest many <CanoeBerry> students in something they might not otherwise discover. <CanoeBerry> By all accounts, our first trip was a phenomenal success, with many <CanoeBerry> girls now interested in pursuing programming or other computer science <CanoeBerry> work. This second year, I will require more hardware work from the <CanoeBerry> students, so these broken laptops will help provide the equipment I need. <NtugiMark> We have had great success with the OLPC's in Comp Sci and we disassemble them as part of our curriculum so that sounds great <CanoeBerry> +1 is my vote as applicant is amazing -- and [her] students too. <CanoeBerry> They need to blog more perhaps... <NtugiMark> we should connect with them <NtugiMark> since we do secondary too <CanoeBerry> Where is their blog again, hmm? <NtugiMark> we have the same...service trip as hook, and then Comp Sci thattrains <CanoeBerry> They need to promote it more, as it's inivisible to Google, grr :) <NtugiMark> great idea! <CanoeBerry> Certainly these dozen young ladies made http://realness.org happen in the US Virgin Islands a month ago.. * UCCadam has joined #olpc-meeting <NtugiMark> How many laptops do they have,? <CanoeBerry> http://csgolpc2010.weebly.com <CanoeBerry> They acquired about 50 by begging for donations here etc: <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Donate_Your_Get_One <CanoeBerry> Votes please? <CanoeBerry> Let <CanoeBerry> 's conclude. <NtugiMark> + <NtugiKevin> + <CanoeBerry> Great. <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> APPROVED [ PROJECT #3 - OLPC Bahamas ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #3 -- please all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> OLPC Bahamas <CanoeBerry> http://olpcbahamas.blogspot.com <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=64038 <CanoeBerry> [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO-1.5s over 3-4 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> We have a serious lacking in the area of education here in the <CanoeBerry> Bahamas. Our national average is a D+. I want to promote education <CanoeBerry> through technology and give the Bahamas a new industry of computer savvy <CanoeBerry> people working with technology and bringing us as a country into the <CanoeBerry> 21st century. <CanoeBerry> This applicant has exchanged email with me several times, towards acquiring 100+ XO-1.5s <CanoeBerry> While I support his work, I want to find out much more. <CanoeBerry> I could use more details. <NtugiMark> Agreed <CanoeBerry> Motion: I'd suggest 1 XO-1.5 if he clarifies further by phone or irc here. <CanoeBerry> Objections? <KGMac> agreed as well <CanoeBerry> Let's conclude. <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> TENTATIVELY APPROVED for 1 XO-1.5 if more details are shared towards understands how this fits in with OLPC's mission: http://laptop.org/vision/ [ PROJECT #4 - Amadou Basse Sall Primary School OLPC Edu Prjct - Dagana, Senegal ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #4 -- please all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> Amadou Basse Sall Primary School OLPC Edu Prjct - Dagana, Senegal <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=64118 <CanoeBerry> [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] <CanoeBerry> Requests 30 XOs over 24 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> - Provide school children with access to computer understanding and usage <CanoeBerry> - Use computers for pedagogical purposes <CanoeBerry> - Stimulate exchanges with another local school as well as enhance the <CanoeBerry> current pedagogical cooperation with a French primary school based in <CanoeBerry> Britanny (29920 Nevez France) <CanoeBerry> Headmistress: Mrs Dominique Puloch <CanoeBerry> - Capitalize on computing skills of one of the schools’ head masters who <CanoeBerry> will train the school teachers <CanoeBerry> - Take advantage of the existing limited computing infrastructure: 4 PCs <CanoeBerry> with internet access <CanoeBerry> - Involve pupils’ parents through allowing the children to bring XOs <CanoeBerry> home for their homework <CanoeBerry> - Stimulate Information exchanges within the local community*: town <CanoeBerry> administration, welfare center… on topics related to nutrition, health: <CanoeBerry> protection against malaria, schistosomiasis or vision deficiencies. <CanoeBerry> These diseases are a major issue in the region and lead amongst other <CanoeBerry> problems to school absenteeism. <CanoeBerry> - Helping families suffering from poverty and low education level with <CanoeBerry> administrative tasks, making XO an essential tool: The children, with <CanoeBerry> the help of their school teachers, will help the family write a letter <CanoeBerry> or a request for example. The draft could be sent through the Internet, <CanoeBerry> thanks to the PCs we have. <CanoeBerry> This project needs a mentor. <CanoeBerry> Applicants need to research the OLPC approach, and we will be happy to work with them to assign them a volunteer mentor if so. <CanoeBerry> Let's put this on hold til then. <CanoeBerry> Objections? <NtugiMark> none ...can there IT person do some OLPC training? <CanoeBerry> Also note the Contributors Program rarely if ever offers more than 10 XOs... <NtugiMark> their <CanoeBerry> They should start by reading about others have approached OLPC deployments, eg: <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/ClassActs/Resources <CanoeBerry> Let's conclude. <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> ON HOLD -- see above for ideas on how to unblock this project proposal, thanks! [ PROJECT #5 - Lap-Swap: Integrating Technology for Education - Tempe, Arizona ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #5 -- please all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> Lap-Swap: Integrating Technology for Education - Tempe, Arizona <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=64161 <CanoeBerry> [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XOs over 12 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> My business concentrates on on-site IT support for local <CanoeBerry> homeowners and small business owners. Over the years I have <CanoeBerry> discovered that <CanoeBerry> when a laptop dies or becomes outdated to a customer's needs, <CanoeBerry> customers wish <CanoeBerry> to just replace the hardware rather than repair old technology. These <CanoeBerry> laptops are discarded, where they could be re-used by local schools <CanoeBerry> or other <CanoeBerry> non-profitable sanctions. More importantly however, I have identified a <CanoeBerry> unique opportunity to donate a portion of my profits to a cause I truly <CanoeBerry> believe in, OLPC. For each "Swap" I generally earn approximately $300-350 <CanoeBerry> for delivering the hardware, setup, data transfer, software installation, <CanoeBerry> and network setup. I believe that a portion (~$75) can be donated per <CanoeBerry> "Lap-Swap" in an effort to donate one laptop per every 2-3 Lap-Swaps I <CanoeBerry> perform in the field. Additionally, older hardware can be donated for <CanoeBerry> re-distribution to local needy organizations such as lower-income schools <CanoeBerry> and cooperating non-profits. This plan should help all stakeholders <CanoeBerry> involved <CanoeBerry> as described below: <CanoeBerry> Fuller Details @ http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/devel/2010-July/029153.html <CanoeBerry> This is a very unusual application, but if this computer store raising serious+positive awareness for OLPC, why not? <CanoeBerry> Donations to http://laptop.org/xo will not be refused... <cjb> CanoeBerry: hm, sure, but they're asking us for laptops <CanoeBerry> I've heard of this guy before. <cjb> I don't think this belongs anywhere near the contributors program. <CanoeBerry> I need to reconnect with his prior ideas. <NtugiMark> CanoeBerry, does he have a website? <CanoeBerry> cjb: if this guy does responsible outreach, great -- that's the question i'm having trouble evaluating. <CanoeBerry> His prior email (can't find it) was very much in tune with our mission. <CanoeBerry> I need to talk to him by phone to see more what's going on here. <CanoeBerry> We're support local groups that take OLPC's mission seriously, eg. a local fundraiser in Rhode Island Aug 21 holds promise, etc: <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=49471 <CanoeBerry> Let's put this one on hold this we find out more. <KGMac> maybe hold until CanoeBerry is satisfied with the direction? <CanoeBerry> Objections? <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> ON HOLD until we find out more how this might work. [ PROJECT #6 - Ntugi/UCC: Kenya, Canada ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #6 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> Ntugi/UCC: Kenya, Canada <CanoeBerry> http://www.ntugischool.com <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=64188 <CanoeBerry> [SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects ] <CanoeBerry> Requests 10 XO-1.5s over 10 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> We hope to purchase 100 1.5's later this year, 50 of which will go to <CanoeBerry> Ntugi in Kenya, and 50 of which will be used in the ICS3U computer <CanoeBerry> science course here at UCC. In preparation for that... <CanoeBerry> 1) We want to test out the 1.5's here in Toronto <CanoeBerry> 2) We hope to take all 10 laptops to Kenya on July 13th to work on <CanoeBerry> the following: <CanoeBerry> - Measure the data pull at the newly constucted computer lab and outreach <CanoeBerry> centre at Ntugi <CanoeBerry> - Use Vernier sensors to develop shared curriculum in Biology, <CanoeBerry> Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Studies <CanoeBerry> - Determine how to install USB microscopes on the 1.5 for use in both <CanoeBerry> Canada and Kenya <CanoeBerry> - Expand blogging to include regular video blogging and creative-writing <CanoeBerry> co-blogging between our two schools <CanoeBerry> - Use Google Docs shared spreadsheets to share science data and analysis <CanoeBerry> measured on the ground in both our locations <CanoeBerry> - Explore the potential of the 1.5 for using Java applets and <CanoeBerry> applications <CanoeBerry> for simulation and analysis in Science <CanoeBerry> - Expand of the 'Horizons' mentoring program to bring Ntugi secondary <CanoeBerry> students to the two local primary schools in anticipation of the <CanoeBerry> repurposing of the current 30 XO 1.0's <CanoeBerry> - Explore the potetnial of the 1.5 for use with USB GPS and Google Earth. <CanoeBerry> Do the applicants care to introduce this quickly? <CanoeBerry> If possible? <NtugiMark> Sure, there are four of us here... <CanoeBerry> Thanks-- 1 or 2min is fine <NtugiMark> We have 70 XO's here at UCC, and 30 in Kenya <NtugiMark> we are looking to move into the next stage <NtugiMark> KG will explain why we hope to work with the 1.5's <CanoeBerry> Thanks -- 10 XO-1.5s would be an unusual application -- though 10 XO-1s are possible whenever a group is doing such solid work. <KGMac> the 1.5's are needed as the 1.0 kernel supporrt is insufficient for us to develop the s/w to run the 400x digital microscopes with either luvcview or cheese. we have tried the XtraOrdinary but it's a bit of a kluge. I have it running on Ubuntu in Pilot <CanoeBerry> How would you manage the very serious "jealousy" issue with 10 kids having XO-1.5s and 30 having XO-1s? <NtugiMark> we are trying to bridge before the purchase of 100 later this year <CanoeBerry> Aside: note that XO-1s worked fine with (Intel?) microscopes in Tanzania here: <NtugiMark> we will use the 1.5's for supervised labwork and instrumentation <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=38094 (Asad Moten @ MIT) <NtugiMark> and the 1.0's for individual use <CanoeBerry> How many kids in the school? <UCCadam> Link:http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/kenya/xo_laptops_have_transformed_nt.html is a good analysis of work so far. <NtugiMark> 250 and growing...because of the laptops the grade 9 and 10 classes have doubled <NtugiMark> accordingly, Safaricom has built 2 new classrooms <NtugiKevin> we need the microscopes� at X400 magnification. What is the magnification of the intels? <CanoeBerry> Are you saturating Grades 9 or 10? <NtugiMark> and we have just finished the new computer lab (wired, with solar) <NtugiMark> well, they only have 25 right now <CanoeBerry> NtugiKevin: not sure, sorry -- Mark has Asad Moten's email address to ask how his Intel microscopes worked in Tanzania. <NtugiMark> so they have a schedule of rotation through the grades and subjects <NtugiMark> they are used every day for about 4 hrs <NtugiMark> individual use at lunch and after school (teachers and studebts) <CanoeBerry> Are you moving towards "child ownership" (OLPC's principle #1) now if not later? <NtugiMark> curricular use the rest of the time <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Core_principles <NtugiMark> we have added the new lab and coming solar to keep up with demand <KGMac> the 640x480 Vehos would appear to work, it's the 1920x1600 400x that seem to need the 10+ kernel <CanoeBerry> (In other words, will the kids have the chance to take the XO laptops home ever?) <NtugiMark> saturation is our goal <KGMac> the home effort is very important do already. we use tekkeon batteris, sunlinq solar panels, and cradlepoint 3G routers <CanoeBerry> I like this project and support it for many reasons. <cjb> yeah, it looks like you're doing lots of good stuff <cjb> perhaps even one of the most advanced school trials we have :) <NtugiMark> http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvnJERtf7Jk/S6tRc3h6cqI/AAAAAAAAAHE/aH2sCMQzY_U/s1600/cimg0846.jpg <NtugiMark> here's the tekkeon being used <CanoeBerry> Indeed -- though I'm not sure if we should ship 10 XO-1s or 10 XO-1.5s -- and want to hear how they might move towards child ownership -- as in Haiti it was deemed impossible, but there were wonderful results when kids had time to putter on their own time. <CanoeBerry> Final ideas / suggestions so we can conclude? <NtugiMark> http://www.flickr.com/photos/uccvisitslewa/4443319368/ <KGMac> i am not convinced that the next piece of curriculum can be handled under Fedora 9. It's been a real battle. <CanoeBerry> Note our new solar panels will be available at http://iLoveMyXO.com within about a month. <cjb> I guess there's a question of whether 5 would be sufficient instead of 10 <cjb> but otherwise I think I'm +1 <CanoeBerry> Still 10W, new voltage regulator.. <cjb> Richard might be interested in getting solar feedback with the 1.5s too <CanoeBerry> Yes <CanoeBerry> Any conclusions from the UCC group on child ownership possibilities? <KGMac> the sunlinqs are 12 W 850 milliamps <CanoeBerry> Or at least "laptop library" approaches so that different kids can take the XOs home? <UCCadam> the possibility is there we would love to have one per child <NtugiMark> I think the library approach is an extension of what we have going <cjb> UCCadam: I think we're mainly asking about taking the laptops home somehow <NtugiMark> right now, the full time ownership is hard given only 30 computers in a school of 250 <NtugiMark> but the new lab is designed for outreach <NtugiMark> and the laoning library would be a logital bridge <NtugiMark> loaning <CanoeBerry> Let's set a strong example moving in the direction of children taking XOs home and tinkering with them on their own time, so Kenya can look to this as a possible shining light of OLPC's vision, can we? <NtugiMark> if we had a complement of 1.5's we could test our tech needs and develop software <NtugiMark> but with a few more 1.0's we could designate those as take-home machines <CanoeBerry> 5 XO-1s + 5 XO-1.5s? <CanoeBerry> Let's conclude. <NtugiMark> I agree with the principles, <cjb> or even 10 XO-1 + 5 XO-1.5? <CanoeBerry> Yes. We can fine tune the mix later if nec. <CanoeBerry> +1 <KGMac> +1 <CanoeBerry> I support 10 XO-1s and 5 XO-1.5 if the customs issues can be mitigated. <CanoeBerry> Shipping to Canada or Kenya in the coming 10 days is possible. <CanoeBerry> Let's wrap up. <NtugiMark> We can take them over with us on July 13th if they can get here before then <CanoeBerry> I will use the shipping address within the application unless a following email mentions otherwise. <CanoeBerry> APPROVED: Laptops will ship Tues Jul 6. <NtugiMark> I'll send the customs broker <CanoeBerry> Thanks's all. Have a great weekend! <CanoeBerry> Meeting adjourned. <NtugiMark> Thank you all. <KGMac> thanks <NtugiKevin> thanks
