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Includer

Tasks

Things to do... thank you for helping!

Pages	FlashDriveEditorTask
Afghanistan	Write a proposal to Lithuania's Foreign Ministry to set up a sneakernet
Aleutia	We should contact the Aleutia team to see if we might work for them as distributors and if we might use some of their parts or design the Includer together or share software solutions.
AlphaSmart	Contact AlphaSmart if they might manufacture our device; to connect with their African network; to consider if they might add USB flash drive support; purchase one from eBay and send it to Chicago.
Arduino	Acquire and evaluate the Arduino processor.
Atmel	Purchase Atmel boards and experiment with them.
Bluetooth	Experiment with Bluetooth phones.
BluetoothPhoneIncluder	Using Mobile Phone Handsets with a Bluetooth communication capability as the 'Includer' FlashDriveEditor.
Chicago	Find people who might provide technical help and might be interested in electronics assembly, especially on the South Side.
Chumby	Acquire and evaluate the Chumby for use as an Includer. How can an external keyboard be used?
Display	Ricardo, please, could you write to Kent displays, following up on my letter? It's hard for me to access my emails because my laptop is being fixed. AndriusKulikauskas September 21, 2007 20:09 CET
EarthTreasury/Power	Calculate our power needs for the keyboard, display, USB drives, processor module. Can we do it with AA batteries? And for how many hours?
Electricity	Calculate electricity costs in Africa for running a computer.
Electronics	Start purchasing parts, try to put them together, invite more people on our team.
ElectronicsAssembly	We need books and websites that explain the basics of electronics assembly. What is involved at various levels of sophistication? We also want to know what are the levels of magnitude of production run sizes and how they affect costs?
FlashDrive	Contact the USB Flash Drive Association. Send flash drives to Africa.
FlashDriveEditorServiceProgram	A program for servicing the Flash Drive Editor, involving a network of service-personnel.
Freeware	Describe Freeware that could be used by Includers.
Funder	List potential funders for the FlashDriveEditor project as a whole as well as financing individual flash drive editors.
HardwareTeam	Write up our hardware team
Hastac	Write a proposal for the Hastac Innovation Awards, due October 15th.
Includer	Come up with local African names such as Jumuisha in Kiswahili.
IncluderWayForwardJuly2008	To establish the way forward for the Includer project, from July 2008 onward. It describes what we would like to do, to capture the exact requirements and constraints for Includer devices, and then develop them.
Keyboard	How much power does a standard computer keyboard use? Is it possible to add a device that would reduce the power need, for example, by sending power only ever second if there is no activity?
Kindle	Contact Amazon
KnightNewsChallenge2007	Write full proposal due on November 1, 2007
LaptopMotherboardIncluder	Think through the LaptopMotherboardIncluder design and try it out.
LinuxDevices	List Linux Devices that might be used as the basis of the FlashDriveEditor.
Manufacturing	What books or websites are there where we could learn the basics of manufacturing, especially the kinds of production runs that are done, from small to large, and what they involve, and how much do they typically cost?
MemoryCardReadWriter	To describe a Memory Card Read Writer interface for the Includer, as a cheaper alternative to USB interface circuitry (for USB flash drives).
Nairobi	Find money and income for the office in Nairobi.
OfflineServices	Write a letter to companies such as Google, Yahoo to invite their support (increments of $25,000) that we develop a user interface for offline computers that would work well with their email services and other APIs and could serve as a prototype for a specification that manufacturers might use for Includer devices.
PartialSolutions	Describe how using a number of partial solutions to a problem is often more effective than trying to find a single 100% solution. Also, how there are 2 types of partial solution; those that are mutually exclusive and those that add together to solve a problem.
PdaIncluder	Using PDAs as the 'Includer' FlashDriveEditor, in various system-designs.
PeaceCorps	Find a contact in the US PeaceCorps who might purchase the Includer.
PlasticLogic	Contact Plastic Logic
PresentingTheIncluderIdeaToGoogle	Describe how to present the Includer idea to Google Inc.
ProcessorModule	Identify candidates for microcontrollers, focusing first on sufficient functionality (preferably able to run Linux, but also weaker microcontrollers), then on power consumption, then on price (because we can always push the price down later).
Prospects	Make a list of friendly potential customers who might order 200 flash drive editors and related participants and service for $120,000.
Purchases	Make a list of hardware to review and purchase for our electronics team in Lithuania to start building prototypes.
Readability	Create images with different sized letters and see which ones are readable on which screens and come up with general principles and optimal recommendations.
Recommendations	Collect recommendations for our proposal.
Software	What existing programs in Python might we use or adapt for the text editor and the file manager? Is there an offline email editor that might work? What set of programs do we need?
Solar	How costly would it be to generate 5 watts of electricity from solar power for our flash drive editor, for example, by charging a car battery?
TeleTypewriter	Explore alliances with makers of TeleTypewriter for the Deaf.
TextToSpeech	Think through a system for converting emails to sound files. Note that the conversion needs to take place after downloading the text! And so should likely involve open source software or an agreement with a developer.
Trademark	What are the trademark offices in various African countries, starting with Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda? Do they have online websites? Is it ok if Includer is already used by Gallup?
Trashware	Ask DavideLamanna to write a letter of recommendation.
WincorNixdorf	Write to Pia-Maria Goerner, head of Corporate Social Responsibility, and also CC to Kai Jungclaus who is the contact for the BA69.
XDrive	We might expand on this and consider whether to pursue this thinking further.

Pages	FlashDriveEditor
Afghanistan	Write a proposal to Lithuania's Foreign Ministry to set up a sneakernet
Aleutia	A computer designed for Africa that is comparable to the Includer is on sale for 279 pounds for and with solar panel and battery for 499 pounds.
AlphaSmart	AlphaSmart Neo is very relevant device to learn from and work with.
AndriusKulikauskas	Leader of the FlashDriveEditor initiative as the main business opportunity that the MinciuSodas laboratory is pursuing, and the focal point for the Sneakernet ecosystem, strenghtening our global and local networks and hubs for GlobalVillages.
Apprenticeship	Ricardo proposes a Distributed Digital Apprenticeship Scheme
Arduino	Arduino is an open source processor that might be usable for our Includers.
AssemblingComputers	We support the development of skills for assembling computers.
Atmel	Atmel boards are a leading choice for us.
Batteries	We want low power and to be able to use standard AA batteries so that they are easily available. Rechargeable AA batteries are then optional. The AlphaSmart Neo runs for 700 hours on 3 AA batteries. Battery recharging might depend on the Sneakernet.
Bluetooth	Bluetooth phones may be used to carry, edit and share files.
BluetoothPhoneIncluder	Using Mobile Phone Handsets with a Bluetooth communication capability as the 'Includer' FlashDriveEditor.
Broadcast	Consider the broadcast of software and content by regular radio or satellite radio like WorldSpace.
Calculator	Consider using a TexasInstrument calculator and optional keyboard
Chicago	We have a base in Chicago at the home of DavidEllisonBey and he needs technical help for his computer and wifi so it would be good to organize people around him, especially on the South Side.
Chumby	Chumby is a wifi bean bag computer that is open source hardware, costs $180 and might be used as an Includer.
Commodore64	Consider the Commodore 64.
Computer	Computer, ProcessorModule or Microcontrollers to use for the FlashDriveEditor or to use as alternatives. We can start by building on existing high power computers like the NorhTec MicroClient Jr PC from $120.
DigitalPhotoFrame	It is now possible to buy for $76 a 7 inch (320 x 234) color digital photo frame that stores many images and plays music files and has a USB connection for computers. Is it possible to use such as a display? Would manufacturers fund our work or partner with us?
Display	We're interested to learn more about the low power Kent displays.
EBookReader	Alternative eBook readers
EarthTreasury/Power	How much power is needed by the keyboard, display, USB drives, processor?
Electricity	In many parts of Africa, 90% of the population does not have electric power. Hence, low power devices (those that can use standard AA batteries) are prized.
Electronics	We are organizing an electronics team.
ElectronicsAssembly	We are collecting links to books and websites about electronics assembly. We also have a list of 50 advantages of local assembly.
EmailReader	We should research devices dedicated to reading and writing emails.
Emulator	Use a PC to emulate the FlashDrivEditor as we develop it. Note, this could be done through the web browser, both online and offline.
Eureka	Andrius has concluded that the EU EUREKA program is not well suited for supporting our work.
FileSystem	We will use the FAT file system as a standard.
Financing	We need to think about financing that doesn't take money out of Africa. Andrius thought of a Work
FlashDrive	FlashDrive manufacturers might have a keen interest in our ecosystem and also distributing flash drives is a good way to build our network and test our concepts.
FlashDriveContent	We are making a list of content to publish on flash drives and CDs. We have bought 40 flash drives and will be adding the content to them and sending them out to our African participants to see what content is useful and how much they can get for the flash drives. Andrius has created software that is archiving all of our YahooGroups letters and zipping them. The usefulness of such content - and responding to it - is a key rationale for the FlashDriveEditor.
FlashDriveEditorServiceProgram	A program for servicing the Flash Drive Editor, involving a network of service-personnel.
Freeware	Describe Freeware that could be used by Includers.
Funder	We're making a list of potential funders for this and other projects.
GameBoy	Consider using Game Boy Advanced which is already used as an ebook reader. It has a 240 x 160 pixel screen, 1.6 by 2.4 inches, 32 KB memory, 10 hours of continuous play with light on, 18 hours with light off using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
GetPaidToCreateEbooks	Get paid to create eBooks by a supporter, an NGO or government ministry.
GiftExchange	A way to get more help and boost our ecosystem and explore what is appreciated and open the way for reciprocity and paid work.
Hardware	Organize standards for open source hardware network. Avoid feature creep in the editor itself. Offload functionality to other hardware modules. Use standard parts like computer keyboards, USB flash drives, AA batteries, televisions, old monitors, as much as possible.
HardwareTeam	BinarioEtico is available to train our African participants in computer assembly (for Trashware) and electronics assembly (for our FlashDriveEditor)
Hastac	We're applying for the Hastac Innovation Awards.
Includer	Includer http://www.includer.org is a name that Andrius proposes and uses for our project.
Includer2007	Proposal to Lithuania's Foreign Ministry for work in November and December 2007 to demonstrate the feasability of software and hardware optimized for marginal Internet access.
IncluderWayForwardJuly2008	To establish the way forward for the Includer project, from July 2008 onward. It describes what we would like to do, to capture the exact requirements and constraints for Includer devices, and then develop them.
IncomeFromSmallComputerRelatedTasks	Earn extra income by performing small tasks on a computer for people that you know in wealthier cities or countries, a kind of micro-outsourcing.
InfoPad	InfoPad was a low power wireless multimedia terminal.
Internet	The FlashDriveEditor allows people to make good use of the Internet and also to roll it out locally.
InternetAccess	SamwelKongere writes about measuring and appreciating the different kinds of Internet access.
InternetCafe	Internet cafes are a key part of the Sneakernet network and their prices drive much of the economics.
Keyboard	Information about special keyboards for use with PDAs. And power requirements for standard computer keyboards.
KnightNewsChallenge2007	News Challenge grant
KnowledgeWork	A vibrant system of small pieces of knowledge work will clarify what kind of device, like a FlashDriveEditor we'd like to have or build and in what sense it's needed, and would also provide funding or leverage.=
LaptopMotherboardIncluder	A variant of the Includer in the form of a Desktop PC case and Laptop Motherboard. It provides a Desktop Computer that works on battery power, for areas without mains electricity.
Linseed	Linseed is a low power Linux-on-a-chip computer board.
LinuxDevices	List Linux Devices that might be used as the basis of the FlashDriveEditor.
Manufacturing	We need to learn the basics of manufacturing, especially the kinds of production runs that are done, from small to large, the methods and the prices. We also need to find at least one manufacturer who would be a good partner for us.
MemoryCardReadWriter	To describe a Memory Card Read Writer interface for the Includer, as a cheaper alternative to USB interface circuitry (for USB flash drives).
MoreWaysToEarnExtraMoneyViaTheInternet	More ways to earn money using a computer online or offline.
Nairobi	We want to have an office in Nairobi, led by KennedyOwino, where we assemble the FlashDriveEditors and computers.
NoahSamara	NoahSamara of WorldSpace satellite radio which needs content is a great independent thinker that we might seek to work for.
OperatingSystem	Operating system will probably be Linux but for the particular chip set.
PDA	Alternative ideas can build on PDAs.
PartialSolutions	Describe how using a number of partial solutions to a problem is often more effective than trying to find a single 100% solution. Also, how there are 2 types of partial solution; those that are mutually exclusive and those that add together to solve a problem.
PdaIncluder	Using PDAs as the 'Includer' FlashDriveEditor, in various system-designs.
PeaceCorps	US PeaceCorps is an agency that might perhaps be a friendly customer for the Includer.
Phone	Consider phones that might be used.
PresentingTheIncluderIdeaToGoogle	How to present the Includer idea to Google Inc.
Pricing	A market exists for a 300 USD FlashDriveEditor, especially if combined with the MinciuSodas laboratory's social network services. The price should drop to 75 USD and ultimately 25 USD.
ProcessorModule	Ideas for Microcontrollers (a computer-on-a-chip with RAM, EEPROM, etc), if we go for a custom-designed processor for the FlashDriveEditor.
ProjectManagement	Breaking the development process into stages. Currently, Andrius is thinking of a first phase of 20,000 EUR to create 20 experiments at 1,000 EUR and then a second phase of 120,000 EUR to assemble a first prototype and make 200 at 500 EUR and test them in the field and supply one or more large friendly customers.
Prospects	A list of prospects.
Prototypes	Write a proposal to Lithuania's Foreign Ministry
Purchases	A list of hardware to review and purchase.
Radio	Consider the Open FM Radio project.
Readability	A page of images for trying out readability on various screens.
Recommendations	People recommending our proposal!
Regulation	New hardware may need EMC testing.
Ricardo	Key contributor to FlashDriveEditor and promoter of Sneakernet.
RomasČiupaila	RomasČiupaila is an electronics teacher in a high school in Lithuania and may be interested to be part of our hardware team and help train our African visitors.
Sneakernet	Sneakernet - moving files and email by walking, cycle or vehicle, on flash drive or CD - it's central to the FlashDriveEditor ecosystem and also a concept that attracts natural allies, partners, customers, funders. It's a great first step in all of our FlashDriveEditor efforts.
SocialEnterprise	We should engage social enterprises as funders and customers.
Software	Likely, we will use Linux as an operating system and write or adapt a text editor and file manager (perhaps in Python?) that would serve as the interface. Which software is key to start with? What kinds of applications might build on this further? How can people add software functionality later on, presumably, onto their flash drives?
Solar	Incorporate Solar panels as a technology to recharge batteries for the FlashDriveEditor but also to learn electronics skills.
Tanzania	JosephatNdibalema of Uyoga reports on the rising costs at Internet cafes in Dar es Salaam.
Television	It should be an option to use a television as a display. How would we do that?
TextToSpeech	As part of our ecosystem it would be good to convert emails to sound files for play on MP3 players because they are so available.
Trademark	We can check if the name we use for the Flash drive editor is already trademarked
Trashware	Trashware is a movement centered in Italy that can help us with assembling computers and designing the USB FlashDriveEditor.
Website	How can the Sneakernet and the FlashDriveEditor help one manage a website?
WiFi	The FlashDriveEditor might catalyze the roll out of local wireless networks.
WincorNixdorf	Wincor-Nixdorf manufactures cash registers that have displays which might be well suited for our flash drive editor.
WordProcessor	AlphaSmart, QuickPad, TheWriter are keyboard based word processors (and manufacturers) to learn from and try to work with.
WorldSpace	We should engage WorldSpace
XDrive	Ricardo spoke with Andrius in February 2009 about an XDrive capability that offline computers might engage when they get online.
YahooGroups	We can approach Yahoo groups leaders to help our project in various ways, perhaps by organizing a GiftExchange, where we can offer, for example, archiving of Yahoo groups.

The Includer Name

Andrius: Includer is the generic name that I propose and use for our USB Flash Drive Editor. I have set up a website: http://www.includer.org for us to promote this project. I expect that we'll have a diversity of brands and names, hopefully many African names. Includer expresses my hopes for our project.

JanetFeldman, October 15, 2007: Andrius: if we find that the name "Includer" has indeed been copywrited, I hope we can find something close to that, as it speaks perfectly to our goals. And, while I think each country or region can perhaps have their own name for the device, I think it should be something we see as having "universal" applicability, hence not naming it officially in a language (haha, I wrote "labuage"...maybe that shoe fits, too!) other than English.

Andrius, October 15, 2007: Yes, Janet, my strategy is that we not trademark Includer (because then we would have to defend that trademark) but rather that we encourage its use as a generic word for all such devices. And encourage local expression of this generic idea, as well as creating all manner of local brands.

African Names

KennedyOwino, October 11, 2007: The feature or products name? I also concur with the idea of a local name. I suggest "jumuisha" … and dub it "Internet for all". Jumuisha is Kiswahili and means bringing together, including or involving. I see the name being relevant because this idea is a new process of doing something that connects individuals, communities and the globe. It integrates, people, it helps in sorting through gathered information, sharing it and creating inclusive networks. The name is African.

Other Names

Ricardo: Digital Multiplier

Links and Ideas

TomLombardi suggested the Carnegie-Mellon HCI group and JakobNielsen

AboutThisPage

FlashDriveEditorTask = Come up with local African names such as Jumuisha in Kiswahili.
FlashDriveEditor = Includer http://www.includer.org is a name that Andrius proposes and uses for our project.
EndeavorLeader=KiyaviloMsekwa
EndeavorTeam=Ricardo, AndriusKulikauskas, KennedyOwino, SamwelKongere
EndeavorSummary=Develop a touchscreeen device for offline work for people with marginal Internet access, as in Africa.

Previous goal: Develop an offline device for reading and writing emails on a USB flash drive so they might be uploaded and downloaded at an Internet cafe.

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