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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Jeff,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thank you for the update . It sounds like
some headway is being created here. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The ¡°closer
to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:place></st1:City>¡±
part was referring to Antoine¡¯s input about the invitation from the Dept of
Labour. His request was ¡° OLPC-ZA has been invited to a workshop in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:City></st1:place> hosted by the
Department of Labor who are busy looking at options for laptops to use in
training programs. (Anyone on the list who lives closer to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:place></st1:City> who feels like representing OLPC-ZA
there ? ¡° . Hence my response was asking what can people living closer to <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:City></st1:place>, who are in the
list do? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Talking
about <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:place></st1:City>
(meaning Gov), and open source, the curriculum for distribution via e-text. I
am aware of the example of - seeing the XO as simply a more cost effective and
durable textbook/jotter replacement, that you have espoused. Can you kindly
unpack it a bit more please. Who do you think can be sensitised within the
National Dept of Education, to move in this direction? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I know
you said you were thinking aloud – and I am not going to hold you to it, but
maybe, with all of us exploring this idea somewhere we can get a lead. I think
there are a number of people that are advising/influencing Gov and probably
they are reaching some dead-end. This is could be a taste of fresh air towards
that thinking. In <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gauteng</st1:place></st1:State>
I am aware of some initiative of setting up a ¡°division¡± on e-learning. People
involved are not that clued up on e-learning, let alone cost-effective but high
impact tools such as XO, are available. We are going to need to talk to such at
both Prov level and also Nat level. I totally agree with approaching Nat level
first , as this can then filter to all 9 Provs. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Just
thinking ! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Best Regards,</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Lungi Siqebengu</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>(<a href="mailto:lungis@iafrica.com">lungis@iafrica.com</a>
is Synonymous with <a href="mailto:lungis@4pillars.co.za">lungis@4pillars.co.za</a>).
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
olpc-za-bounces@lists.laptop.org [mailto:olpc-za-bounces@lists.laptop.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Jeff<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 20 August 2007 21:51<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> olpc-za@laptop.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Olpc-za] Small
question !</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Lungi Siqebengu (LuW) wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Eastern Cape</span></font></st1:place></st1:State>
- can you, Jeff OR Ron elaborate more please on the work that is being done. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It looks like Ron of eKhayaICT is making good headway linking the
disparate groups working towards the same goal.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>There are several ICT projects which have been working independently:
namely VA32¢ªS (Volunteer Africa 32¢ªSouth), SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund),
and the Uniforum/ISPA backed NetDay computer classrooms which are being
implemented in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Coffee</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Bay</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> - Hole in the Wall -
Seaview region. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>A WiFi network linking the schools to each other - effectively from
Hole in the Wall up the coast to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Coffee</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Bay</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and up inland to
Zithulele hospital (on a fortunate high-point in line of sight to Tafelahashi /
Zwelenqaba) - is being rolled out in November. The aim is to provide internet
and support services for the schools and medical care staff - as well as,
ultimately (and hopefully), base station infrastructure for the XOs to link up
over a large-ish area.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Various options are being investigated to cover the internet costs. The
schools are able to pay about R500 per month each towards bandwidth... at the
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I mentioned Tafelahashi - but I don't really know what's happening
there, except that we should be able to link via line of sight from there to
Dwesa. The point is that a large WiFi hotspot with broadband internet will be
available for the kids using the XOs - at whichever school/s is/are chosen for
pilot... including the schools which have recently been computerized (near
Dwesa) by the Rhodes / Fort Hare initiatives.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The biggest hurdle I think we're facing - and I hope you were speaking
as euphemistically as I interpreted when you say "closer to Pretoria"
- is to get government to open source the core curriculum for distribution via
e-text. . . and to start seeing the XO as simply a more cost effective and
durable textbook/jotter replacement - initially.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I'm just thinking aloud, really... I'd welcome some serious criticism
and input here.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div><span style='border-spacing: 0px 0px;text-align:auto;-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none;
-apple-text-size-adjust: auto;orphans: 2;widows: 2;word-spacing:0px'>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Jeff Brown<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Website: <a
href="http://www.wildcoast.com">www.wildcoast.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Blog: <a
href="http://www.wildcoast.com/jeff">www.wildcoast.com/jeff</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Cell phone:
+27-74-1015170<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='min-height: 14px'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>8< -- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Do not believe in
miracles -- rely on them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><br>
<br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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</span>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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