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Author:  bbrv [ Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  PowerDevelopers/Instructors Needed
Hi, Genesi is exploring a few opportunities in conjunction with the ISOC - www.isoc.org in Africa and Latin America. If you are interested in participating please contact us. We looking for PowerDevelopers that have been participating on this site, that can teach basic computer skills and are ready to travel and live in remote locations for 30-60 days. You may remember these past such efforts:

http://bbrv.blogspot.com/2007/05/not-wa ... ge-ii.html

http://bbrv.blogspot.com/2009/12/efika- ... frica.html

Johan Dams did excellent work on both trips. We will be building on these and similar experiences. You will be paid and your travel expenses will be covered. It should be noted that the working/living conditions might be much less accommodating than what Johan experienced in Morocco and Algeria. Here is a recent picture from the Liberia Chapter of the Internet Society’s Next Generation Children Project:

Image

Both of us have lived and worked in remote locations in Africa and Latin America. It can be a real adventure and a once in a life time experience. Please send us an email if you are interested. We will be using the Efika MX Smartbook and Smarttop in support of the projects we are developing.

Best regards,
R&B :)
Author:  PurpleAlien [ Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Hi all,

Just to get this discussion started, here are a few engineering obstacles and challenges we can encounter:

- Power: This is going to be the biggest problem. Reliable power even in more developed regions is not at all guaranteed. We could investigate the optimal use of UPS, batteries and perhaps solar. We should also try to minimize drain on the electrical grid, since it often cannot handle big loads.

- Curriculum: We will need to develop an educational curriculum which encompasses basic internet and the use of desktop applications. We should assume no prior knowledge on anything ICT related. Remember, this is a country where internet is used by less than 1% of the population.

- Target: We should be able to develop a curriculum ranging from primary and secondary education all the way up to higher education. Even at higher education level, the use of Internet and especially engineering courses in the field, are negligible.


More later...

Johan.
Author:  bbrv [ Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:41 am ]
Post subject: 
<bump>

We are bumping up this thread as we will be at the ISOC next Monday. We have volunteers for 30-60 days in Africa, but no volunteers yet for Central and/or South America where Spanish language skills are essential. Please send us an email to bbrv@genesi-usa.com.

Thanks!

R&B :)
Author:  bbrv [ Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Update...

Image

The first 3G Smartbooks arrive in Tanzania late last week. Details to follow...

R&B :)
Author:  popper [ Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:26 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Hi all,

Just to get this discussion started, here are a few engineering obstacles and challenges we can encounter:

- Power: This is going to be the biggest problem. Reliable power even in more developed regions is not at all guaranteed. We could investigate the optimal use of UPS, batteries and perhaps solar. We should also try to minimize drain on the electrical grid, since it often cannot handle big loads.

- Curriculum: We will need to develop an educational curriculum which encompasses basic internet and the use of desktop applications. We should assume no prior knowledge on anything ICT related. Remember, this is a country where internet is used by less than 1% of the population.

- Target: We should be able to develop a curriculum ranging from primary and secondary education all the way up to higher education. Even at higher education level, the use of Internet and especially engineering courses in the field, are negligible.


More later...

Johan.
what do you mean "We could investigate" it's far better to assume there will be problems and no kit where you are at the time, and never forget the basics here.

for instance
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16 ... amera.html
a super small and cheap HD cam around 7980 yen,
7980 Japanese yen = 96.42234 U.S. dollars
7980 Japanese yen ==59.91GBP

after all you DO want to video this for later PR uses and even run a live/recorded quick (within 30 seconds to set up) http://www.veetle.com/ stream when back at base with perhaps enough bandwidth for at least 500KBit/s small SD AVC video if not set for good quality 1.1 Mbit/s HD video upload streaming.

they will want to do things like that once your gone for sure..

you might also want to setup a http://go6.net/4105/download.asp IPv4 to Ipv6 tunnel connection too just in case the local ISP is restricted and OC you can usually (multicast) real-time stream over that free ipv6 tunnel to with VLC to other go6.net users etc if ipv4 unicast veetle doesn't run in efika etc.

although power developer, Genesi and other commercial sponsor's and power to the people web side sites should already be made go6.net IPv6 connectible and allow some few gig's of free video storage and steaming etc from these well connected servers already, to make life so much easier to expand, or even finance and put a few new POP's in place locally as part of the ipv6 go net global freenet Genesi ARM ipv6 upload and streaming from low bandwidth upload connection etc initiative you just got the idea to create :D

there's also the wrong assumption that power will be there when you want it, so a
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/ Solar-Powered Backpacks oc
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/a-sola ... video.html

but id imagine they are expensive and the included PV looks to small OC even for efika topup so id probably go for the usual DIY approach and get something like this
http://www.maplin.co.uk/13w-solar-briefcase-99760
£49.99 ukp
Portable solar generator built into a protective briefcase making it ideal for camping, caravanning or marine use
Powerful 13 watt solar charger
Charges 3V, 6V and 12V appliances
Flashing charge indicator and blocking diode
Dual junction amorphous solar cells lead to less power loss
Includes 4A charge regulator
Integrated adjustable angle support
Easy storage
Complete with all leads needed - suitable for all 12 volt battery systems
or even one or two of this might do at a pinch
http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powered-1 ... rger-98358
£9.99

plus oc the http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-sealed-lead ... ies-265437 get several plus connecting leads/plug's etc in a size you think you can carry for a reasonable time

and dont forget your http://www.outdoorgb.com/c/12v_kettles_cookers/ of your choice to go along with the above :D and a bunch of mosquito net....

id also assume there are many people there that would love to make a community Wireless LAN/WAN given a few cheap 12v DC wireless router's and/or USB sticks

and a copy of http://www.zeroshell.net/eng/ bonded over two or 3 11n channels etc OC to increase local community bandwidth.

dont forget the FreeNAS live CD http://sourceforge.net/projects/Freenas/ to go with them nor the collection of cheap 1Gbit ethernet and patch leads to make that storage from a collection of old hard drives in a really old PC

and a DIY http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/ point to point stored page to help them make a simple longer range directional connection or 3 between community island's too...

so remember to pack a few of these too dont assume you can do it when you get there, and remember to leave them behind when you leave and give out as you find suitable people to instruct and set-up and run them etc...

think practical and almost instant with what you take, not ill nip down the local electrical shop to get what i forget to buy at home...

it's not like your trying to make and sell these is it :D
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/30/insi ... ssias-soc/
Author:  PurpleAlien [ Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Quote:
This is going to be the biggest problem. Reliable power even in more developed regions is not at all guaranteed.... the optimal use of UPS, batteries and perhaps solar.
what do you mean "We could investigate" it's far better to assume there will be problems
Isn't that what I said?

I know there will be problems. We have to investigate the feasibility of UPS/battery/solar combination. This needs to be investigated because you can't just walk into the country with solar panels and UPS in your backpack.
Quote:
for instance
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16 ... amera.html
a super small and cheap HD cam around 7980 yen,
7980 Japanese yen = 96.42234 U.S. dollars
7980 Japanese yen ==59.91GBP
Why bother with something so tiny that it will a) get lost and b) is easier to get stolen, c) will make the security guys at the airport very interested in taking it from you. Just a normal (HD) camera for around 200Euro will do fine.
Quote:
and even run a live/recorded quick (within 30 seconds to set up) http://www.veetle.com/ stream when back at base with perhaps enough bandwidth for at least 500KBit/s small SD AVC video if not set for good quality 1.1 Mbit/s HD video upload streaming.
And you think 'back at base' will have that? forget it. We even had problems having a Skype call from a not so small city in Algeria, let alone video...
Quote:
they will want to do things like that once your gone for sure..
I think we can find better use for their limited (if at all) Internet connection.
Quote:
you might also want to setup a http://go6.net/4105/download.asp IPv4 to Ipv6 tunnel connection too just in case the local ISP is restricted and OC you can usually (multicast) real-time stream over that free ipv6 tunnel to with VLC to other go6.net users etc if ipv4 unicast veetle doesn't run in efika etc.
If I can get an email out once a day and maybe post a blog daily, I'll be more than happy...
Quote:
...and allow some few gig's of free video storage and steaming etc from these well connected servers already, to make life so much easier to expand, or even finance and put a few new POP's in place locally as part of the ipv6 go net global freenet Genesi ARM ipv6 upload and streaming from low bandwidth upload connection etc initiative you just got the idea to create :D
... or just use YouTube.
Quote:
there's also the wrong assumption that power will be there when you want it.
Where was this assumption made?
Quote:
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/ Solar-Powered Backpacks oc
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/a-sola ... video.html
...
Never mind getting this through the airport...
Quote:
plus oc the http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-sealed-lead ... ies-265437 get several plus connecting leads/plug's etc in a size you think you can carry for a reasonable time
See above.
Quote:
id also assume there are many people there that would love to make a community Wireless LAN/WAN given a few cheap 12v DC wireless router's and/or USB sticks
Sure - but you'd need another 2 months on the spot to train people on how to maintain and troubleshoot it...
Quote:
dont forget the FreeNAS live CD http://sourceforge.net/projects/Freenas/ to go with them nor the collection of cheap 1Gbit ethernet and patch leads to make that storage from a collection of old hard drives in a really old PC
To do what exactly? And old harddrives? Just give everyone an 8Gig flash drive.
Quote:
and a DIY http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/ point to point stored page to help them make a simple longer range directional connection or 3 between community island's too...
Let's get them computers first, and focus on education.
Quote:
and remember to leave them behind when you leave and give out as you find suitable people to instruct and set-up and run them etc...
Won't work. Been there, done that.
Quote:
think practical and almost instant with what you take, not ill nip down the local electrical shop to get what i forget to buy at home...
It's better to find out what you can get locally. Better for them, better to find replacement parts, no import duties, etc. What's the point of taking good batteries that will break down or get stolen, when you could use normal car batteries...


Johan.
Author:  bbrv [ Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:43 am ]
Post subject: 
We will be going ahead with the Project in Liberia. We are working out the details now.

R&B :)
Author:  michaeltristan [ Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:42 am ]
Post subject: 
hi gang, I've beed a reader for a while, and admittedly not a power developer. I am actually an artist trying to teach myself Linux and fundamental embedded technologies for my art; and Im struggling through. That being said, I have little to offer in way of technological know how, but would still like to contribute to this worthy project. I was thinking about the curicilum that would need to be put together and I think the best way to start that out would be identifying the very different needs of their computer usage. I would think that to better serve a population of such limited resources the foucus should serve the haman condition under battle conditions. With focus being put on medical applications, communications, and electronic repair. Perhaps my thinking is out of touch or not inline with the project, forgive me and inform if it is. I was thinking about multifunction embedded devices communicating via satelite phone. Maybe we should develope the satelite phone kernel hub off which other devices get "trained" from, and that would be connected to a repository here. as our community grows, the device tree would grow as well. from medical record keeping, to ekg machines, defibulators. im not suggesting we re-invent the wheel with building the devices, but building a comorehensive system in which these devices communicate in a standardized fashion. Also, I believe interchangable parts is a priority. Powersupplies being #1. I know all you folks reading this have a box of assorted powersupplies collected from over the years "just in case".. those of fewer resources cant have that happening at critical moments. I will leave it off here with these basic ideas that have been rolling around my head to see what kind of feed back and criticisums the community has.
kind regards,
michaeltristan
Author:  bbrv [ Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hi Michael, we are gearing up for a deployment of the mobile solar power generation and wifi relay systems we have developed. They will be headed to Tanzania in July. In the mean time, our fourth project in that country is underway:

Image

You can see the Efika MX attached to the back on the monitors.

We will get some details and a wiki up soon so that the community can participate more directly in these efforts. Thank you for your thoughts and involvement.

Best regards,
R&B :)
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