[OLPC_Boston] SOP devel for OLPC Boston

[Samuel Klein]

Mel - RSI sucks!  Talk to cjb.  and you might see what you can do with
dictation... some progs are remarkably good at matching one's
individual voice (starship trooper or otherwise).

Rick - I recommend adding another couple paragraphs of overview (what
is an SOP?  who is this targeted at?), a paragraph of further reading
(what related docs exist?  links to previous revisions / discussion),
and a short table of contents; and  making each section more concise
-- to help keep all the elements in one's mind.

SJ

On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 7:44 PM, Richard Delp <rhdelpii at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Yikes! A little scary sending an SOP to a bunch of people who have been so
> much more involved with OLPC Boston than I have. Maybe my newness will be an
> advantage in this one case. These are the things I found most helpful.
>
> (If you read it in the "Starship Trooper" voice it sounds much more
> impressive. If not then read it in the voice from the guy that instructs
> Goofy how to ski and do other things.)
>
> Does it sound to simple? Also I did not provide much of the info. Not only
> am I so incredibly new that I am still covering most of this, but it seems
> like it will be more useful to have the new people ask questions. I
> think someone (Elsa maybe?) was right on when they said that OJT is the most
> helpful training and that if you can figure out where to go for info you
> will be much better off.
>
> So the SOP for first timers at OLPC Boston is below, subject to helpful
> criticism and changes before posting.
>
>
>
> V/R,
>
>
>
> Rick
>
>
>
>
>
> SOP
>
> Even though this SOP is meant to help you acclimate to this volunteer
> organization, human contact is key. Whether contact is virtual or face to
> face is not so important, but if you can attend a meeting in person take
> advantage of this opportunity.
>
> Since human contact will be your greatest advantage, you may want to check
> out some of the different mailing list. You may already be on a couple of
> these.
>
> If not, check out:
>
> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/
>
> Here it is easy to sign up for the various mailing list. If you're unsure
> how interested you are in a group, it is alright to just try it out. You can
> always request to drop some mailing list, and add others later on. You're
> scope is expected to focus as you develop skills in our organization. The
> one list you should absolutely be involved with is the OLPC Boston mailing
> list.
>
> My mailing list:
>
> OLPC Boston
>
>    2.
>
>    3.
>
> (You don't have to stop at three. Go ahead add some more. For your own
> organization you will probably want to list them out. Unless you have an
> eidetic memory it is easy to get lost in a mailing list sign-up frenzy.)
>
> Being that you are joining the Boston group you should immediately
> familiarize yourself with the specific build now being used in deployments.
> You should be comfortable deploying and giving a demo in this build.
>
> Whether you are doing a deployment within the United States or outside of
> the continental U.S., there are some basic areas of which everyone needs to
> have an understanding. You will assuredly find some areas more of interest
> that of others, especially as your own role within the organization develops
> and possibly becomes more specialized. If you have no interest at all in
> some of the following areas, the very least you should know is who is
> currently involved in them. For each of the below listed items you should
> have at least on contact. This will provide you with a resource when
> questions arise.
>
>
>
> Fund Raising:
>
> Even volunteer organizations need cash. Where has this money come from in
> the past and who will it come from in the future?
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Power:
>
> In the United States the only concern, if any, should only be the cost. Can
> the group you are providing assistance for afford the extra cost of the
> power consumed by the equipment being provided?
>
> In third world countries it may become more serious. You will need to have a
> plan to provide electricity if it isn't readily available or affordable. The
> answer may be solar panels, gas generators, or even more unique depending on
> the area. The important thing to realize is that energy production may
> happen differently in different areas. How is your equipment going to get
> the electricity it needs?
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
>
>
> Server:
>
> Depending on the size of your deployment it is likely you will need servers.
> Who is involved with the server team right now? If your deployment has
> already occurred is there someone checking in on the server?
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Repairs:
>
> Just as servers will need maintenance, so will the rest of the equipment.
> What is the program doing in terms of upkeep for laptops? You should
> absolutely spend a day in the repair center if possible.
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Development:
>
> Who actually made or refined the code for the OS and applications you are
> using? This will be helpful if you need additional refinements or apps.
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Connectivity:
>
> Once again here is an area that is easier to deal with inside the United
> States. If you can keep your deployed laptops connected to the Web, the kids
> using them will have easier access to information they need. If this becomes
> impossible how is new information going to reach the kids? In this case you
> may need to deliver the information by hand, meaning updating it via flash
> memory.
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Digest and Communication:
>
> It is important to be able to relay what you are doing to our community.
> Even when you are not satisfied with the results of any given project it is
> important to do this.
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Curriculum:
>
> The end goal of this program is to provide educational material to the
> teachers of the kids we want to help. Who is contacting the local school
> system? What is appropriate according to that system? While we can present
> schools with educational opportunities it will be school system, or whatever
> version of a school system there is in your deployment, that will decide
> what will be taught.
>
> Point of Contact:
>
> Contact Info:
>
> Goals:
>
> This is the most important part so far. You need to set a time line of
> things you will accomplish. While of course it needs to be reasonable, be
> ambitious. Your goals at this point may involve training yourself, or
> finding someone to guide you in specific aspects of your endeavor. Go ahead
> and set a couple lofty goals for the future, and then set some others for
> the next three months. We're all volunteers here so we understand that other
> hobbies, family, and work may take up your time. You decide your own level
> of involvement. Go ahead and commit yourself to some achievable and
> ambitious goals.
>
> In three months time I want to learn and/or accomplish:
>
>
>
>
>
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