[OLPC-Philippines] Public Information

[Antti Lahtinen]

Cheers,

I am Uncle Antti, from Parañaque City.

I have just joined the mailing list and tried to find out more about what
happens with OLPC here in the Philippines.

Honestly, I am not sure what I am looking for, but I know that the entire
concept is great and I believe the kids in this country deserve a big break.
Let me write a line or two about the initial observations.

I am looking at the available "material" with fresh eyes and from "end user
usability point of view". I believe it would be beneficial for the cause to
try to somehow organize the necessary Public Info into more "user friendly"
way. Seems that participants have been very comfortable with the tools and
material what is done and used until now. That is all ok as those tools
should be used that are available and serve the purpose.

However, fact remains that most of the "normal" people are not very
comfortable with with kinds of IRCs and Wikis and what have yous. Especially
"a bit older folks" are not that keen on jumping into the depths of Social
Media and Web 2.0, new extra software in their computers, etc... Thus,
anybody who tries to find out the extend of the operation here, essential
contacts or any other local info in few minutes, will turn away as all of it
seem to be difficult to find and scattered over different locations and
formats.

I understand that there will be web domain and likely some sort of web site.
This could be used to promote the "OLPC Cause" for LOCAL Media, Politicians
and potential Donors. Thus, it could be efficiently used to sell the idea
for people with interest, money and power. I have a feeling that many
individuals in these three groups belong to what I classified as "a bit
older folks" or "normal" people, e.g. not very well versed with computers.

"Promotion" could mean readily usable material for different media, write
ups about current happenings as well as "war stories", logos and pictures.
This also could mean "ready packages" for potential Donors like the global
pages. This HAS to include a way to pledge donation or purchase then and
there (for example a link to global)! This ALSO could mean suggestions to
local Politicians as how to participate the gain good publicity within their
constituents (yes, how to benefit from the good cause as that is the only
way to get them interested...).

There might be other things, but this is what crossed my mind during the
good one hour trying to get some idea what is happening here. I know
everybody are doing this on voluntary basis and I have to commend the good
start. I am not a computer specialist, but I do have quite some exposure
with various business aspects, including PR and Marketing. Also I do not
have excessive amount of time available, but it could be possible to use
some of it for helping to figure out where to get more doers and other help
as well as what could probably be possible ways to go promoting the "OLPC
Cause".

For now, this is the way to catch me. This was not a great brief
introduction, but please bear with me.

Uncle Antti
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