Deployment FAQ
We're going to put a FAQ here, a la Support FAQ.
Please start by extracting questions and answers from the minutes linked to from the bottom of Deployment meetings. Insert your FAQ into the appropriate heading (or create a new heading) and ensure that you put your answers as briefly as possible, most likely linking off to another location (such as the Deployment Guide).
Information
Where else can I learn about Deployments?
If you are planning a deployment, there are several useful resources available to you. Firstly the Deployment Guide will have some great information, the deprecated Change the World FAQ, information from other deployments may be available from the Deployments page. There are weekly Tuesday deployment meetings (at two different times) where you can talk to people in other deployments from all around the world for peer support and information. There is also a mailing list called grassroots and another one for support called Support Gang.
Also, check this FAQ regularly, as it is updated on a weekly basis based on the experiences from around the world. Ask quick questions anytime over Live Chat here: http://forum.laptop.org/chat -- please give volunteers a few minutes to respond! You might also try to email volunteers for Support: http://support.laptop.org. Finally, volunteering is the best way to meet real people in the OLPC/Sugar deployment community! Please look over both:
Can I volunteer for a Deployment?
OLPC offers student Internships in Peru and Uruguay -- if you are proficient in Spanish, please apply by March 8, 2009. There are also Deployments happening all around the world so get in contact with a project and volunteer :)
Technical logistics and information for XO deployments
What software should I use?
As of February 2009, XO image 8.2.1 is the correct image to use for XO laptops. Please note, this is different and better than 8.2.0 (767). XO image 0.5 is the latest stable server image, which is Open Source and can be installed on any computer.
How do I de-activate or unlock XOs?
Unlocking of a laptop turns off the security of the laptop and requires a developer key. It is only really needed for developer. Activating an XO is for when your XO comes deactivated and has to be activated before it can be used.
You can add this package to any XO laptop to automate de-activation of XOs.
Can I make my own image for the XO?
A locked XO needs a "signed" image, and now you are able to sign your own image. For consistency and to reduce your support overheads, it is recommended you use the default released image from OLPC and then make modifications such as the timezone, power options, activities, etc. This means you are not left having to support your own build.
If you want to support your own build - TODO
How do I automate the imaging of large numbers of XO laptops?
There are several options:
- NANDBlaster for doing multicast rollouts over the network
How do I support for my deployment?
There are a few support options available to you, and regardless of which options you choose, you should ensure that you build a local community of people skilled to provide local support.
- Self-support - there is a lot of documentation and communities around OLPC, so look around and help yourself to support your trial.
- Community support - Support Gang is a largely community run group who answer support questions. It is advisable that you get some of your technical people to join the Support Gang and then both use and contribute to the already immense knowledge base they have accumulated to support XO users and deployments. Then you'll be able to better support your trial through Support Gang. More information is on the Support Gang page.
- Commercial support - you can get commercial support from companies like OLPC Boston, and from consultants. Currently there is no single place to find this information, however please check out the OLPC Marketplace page which will continue to be updated.
Content
Where can I find content to deploy on the XO/XS?
TODO