OLPC UK/Lending Library and Repair Centre

There is no OLPC UK repair centre yet, but there are plans to start one under the OLPC UK umbrella.

Vision

The repair centre will serve both to:

1. facilitate XO repairs as a volunteer effort; and 2. serve as a local, grassroots centre of excellence resource for OLPC / Education communities in the UK

Proposal

We're applying for some used hardware:

>> * What you want, exactly how many of each

1) 10 D stock (would accept less) 2) 20 M stock (would accept less) 2) 35 chargers (would accept less)

>> how you intend to use them.

We intend to use them to:

1) D stock: repair them and 1) set up a Lending Library of laptops for OLPC-UK members / community; 2) generate enough interest and proven contributions to justify a Contributors Program application by OLPC-UK members / community.

2) M stock: use for a UK repair centre / Lending Library

3) Chargers: use to supplement the Lending Library / repair centre

Initial feedback

18:37 < mtd> CanoeBerry: I'd ask for feedback on my email, but as I've only
             sent it recently it's unfair.  Will you consider giving such
             feedback if you have time, later?
18:37 < CanoeBerry> bz_g: yes I have Lionel's proposal for a sizable amount of
                    used hardware, thanks!  OLPC France is doing really great
                    work.
18:37 < CanoeBerry> mtd: definitely today
18:37 < mtd> CanoeBerry: thanks
18:39 < CanoeBerry> mtd: can you explain a bit more about your UK plans, and
                    how you will grow your group?  Only if you have a sec.  30
                    used/broken laptops is a large amount (France similar) but
                    I will definitely consider it if you make your case!
18:39 < CanoeBerry> Alabama is asking for even more :)
18:40 < mtd> CanoeBerry: OLPC UK is targeting a pilot of 30 laptops in a
             school in London in September.  This is aggressive but we have
             funding and initial buy-in from the headmistress...
18:40 < mtd> CanoeBerry: This proposal is *not* for hardware for that pilot...
18:41 < Caryl> We would all love to start pilots somewhere with D&M stock.
               There aren't enough to go around.  Not the best use.
18:41 < mtd> CanoeBerry: ...but in order to build community for that project I
             thought a lending library would be something people could get
             into on a volunteer basis, and hopefully that would lead to more
             involvement both in OLPC-UK and in the pilot programs.
18:41 < mtd> Caryl: This proposal is *not* for hardware for that pilot...
18:41 < mtd> Caryl: I want to make that clear.
18:42 < CanoeBerry> mtd: are you coordinating with dsd?
18:42 < mtd> CanoeBerry: I chatted with him yestrday, but before I saw the
             used hardware email.
18:42 < mtd> CanoeBerry: I'd be happy to work through him if that'd be esasier.
18:42 < mtd> CanoeBerry: he is involved in the OLPC-UK organizational
             discussion on olp-uk@lists.latop.org
18:43 < mtd> CanoeBerry: also I'd like to stress I am new to this, so
             appreciate guidance on numbers of amachines, etc.
18:43 < CanoeBerry> Ask dsd to take a look, and cc me.
18:43 < mtd> CanoeBerry: thanks, will do.
18:43 < CanoeBerry> I will support proposals like yours when they have
                    multiple backers.
18:44 < CanoeBerry> Caryl: There is a lot of M Stock to go around. But a
                    pile-of-broken-parts does not a Pilot make ;)
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: no, definitely - please let me stress this is *not*
             for the poilot.
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: ...but in order to build community for that project I
             thought a lending library would be something people could get
             into on a volunteer basis, and hopefully that would lead to more
             involvement both in OLPC-UK and in the pilot programs.
18:45 < CanoeBerry> Repair Centers are the focus here, and general support of
                    others, first and foremost :)
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: it's about building the community
18:45 < mtd> CanoeBerry: sure, understood.
18:47 < CanoeBerry> mtd: i think you already know this, but just a reminder
                    all chargers here are US chargers (and being used, may not
                    all work!)
18:48 < mtd> CanoeBerry: yes, thanks.  We can get adapters easily, and my US
             G1G1 one works here fine :).
18:49 < CanoeBerry> mtd: OK.  While we cannot sell US chargers in Europe, I
                    think surplus parts on a very limited basic like this are
                    OK.