[OLPC-SF] Fwd: Re: Visit w/Pierre next week (Update from Senegal)

[Bruce Baikie]

FYI - Update from the our man, Manning, on the ground in Senegal


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: Visit w/Pierre next week
Date: 	Fri, 2 Dec 2011 01:30:02 -0800 (PST)
From: 	Manning Sutton <manno at yahoo.com>
Reply-To: 	Manning Sutton <manno at yahoo.com>
To: 	Bruce Baikie <bruce at green-wifi.org>
CC: 	



Bruce - well, without going into the long version of this, it went well. 
  Here's the basics:

- I triaged about 60 non-functioning laptops into three groups:
1. Truly trashed displays (broken), permanent spots...
2. Those with stripes or bars across the screens, but seem to boot up 
and work otherwise
- plus noted those with broken keyboards...
3.  Non-functioning - won't boot or whatever...

- They have NO wireless connectivity anywhere.  All the routers and such 
were pulled out of the classrooms at the end of last year, and hasn't 
been put back together again (like humpty-dumpty)

- They may not even have internet connectivity into the school at the 
moment.  Pierre is using a dial up modem (that was surprisingly fast!) 
and he called someone about getting it re-setup.  So, hopefully that 
will be in place when I return.

- The individual XO chargers (green ones) are all failing.  It seems 
that the kids twist the cord around the connector when they take them 
home and in the process they break.  Not sure how big a deal it is or 
not...I may take a look and see if they can be "upgraded" by removing 
the old wire and soldering in a new one or adding a strain relief rubber 
piece to the point where it connects to the body.  (Ideas?)

So, the good news:
- I managed to get a few repaired by using parts from the totally 
non-functioning ones (about 10-12). A display and keyboard swap.
- I also updated the OS on one to see if that was going to work, and it 
looks promising.  But it only worked on one XO, and not sure why it 
didn't work on the other couple I tried?  Anyway, it's a slow process 
but I have 6 USB sticks with the OS update files and it will improve the 
efficiency.

- 11 have keyboard issues.  Some can be salvaged from the totally broken 
ones.
-  20 or so have permanent spots on the screens, needing replacement 
screens.
-  20 or so have bars on the screens, which hopefully some can be 
repaired by reseating the display cable.  I tried a couple, and it 
didn't fix the problem, but you never know.

- The teachers seem really excited by getting these back in the classrooms.

- The kids "I think" also are exciting by the possibility to learn/use a 
computer.

- I floated the idea of training some students (older) and two 13 year 
old kids came by and helped me a bit.  It may work!  One of the 
"Sisters" came by and she thought it was quite possible and a great 
idea.  So, may have to join forces with her.

- I met a Computer Science major (thru a friend here) who's graduated 
and unemployed (lots of that here...) who lives in Dakar that I may take 
with me next week when I return to the school.  He'd be a good contact 
for the school.   Not sure how it will work, but I think it's possible 
to for me to pay him a very modest amount to have ongoing support.

More later.  Do you know who set up the wireless before and if there was 
any documentation?  (which I doubt, but thought I should ask).


Manning

221 77 845 39 41(mobile, Senegal)
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