Re: Wrapping-up Switched On code development for now
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Richard Newbould
Sep 6, 2011, 7:24:10 AM9/6/11
to so-class2 Switched On Discussion Group
Hi All,
I wanted to bring some closure to the Switched On development team, for now at least, and say a huge thank you to those who have put time and energy into helping develop software.
As you will recall, we had some pretty exciting times developing code in the UK Developer weekends in 2009 and 2010. These were in preparation for trialing Open Source computer training centres in India to empower those below the poverty line. Our aim was to develop a facility that would add value for the recipients in such a way that they would pay enough for services to make the training centres financially self-sustainable. E.g. through high value training, net cafe services and the like. This would bring all manner of benefits and the assurance that we were meeting real felt needs.
There was a delay in further contact from me following the 2010 developer weekend because I was looking for an opportune time to set up a trial centre so we could test out the features, and therefore do further development based on real user-feedback - in true agile fashion. Unfortunately, Merja and I had to set up an outsourcing business in India at the same time and this proved in-viable given the financial resources at our disposal and the UK economic situation. So... we have had to withdraw from India for now.
Where does that leave the IT project?
Well, Switched On did successfully run an open source computer training centre in Delhi for three years, using thin client and remote support - which really did improve peoples' job careers in a number of documented cases. And we completed two reasonable-scale trials of teaching English using our "hi-tech" methodology. And we have a thought-out plan, and some real demos of code behind it, from you chaps. Technology moves on, and I think that key issues now include how to deliver training to the poor via mobile devices at a low cost, but my hunch is that a lot of the core ideas in our approach still hold. So, let's be open to sharing what we learned with others attempting to use technology to empower the needy, taking new opportunities that might arise to get involved, and at the very least celebrate watching education penetrate the masses of underprivileged with the help of low-cost, feature rich devices in the coming years - and be happy that we joined forces in some way.
An enduring and important outcome is that we now have a growing base of sponsors for some needy yet wonderful Burmese refugees whom we are financially supporting to learn English. Their income has gone up by over 50% as a result, helping them put food on the table. We are looking to find some ways to provide them with some computer training using the laptop we provided, as well as schooling for their children. This is a really worthy cause and it fills our hearts with a lot of joy to be involved. If you think you may like to sponsor one of these oppressed refugees, please take a look at www.switchedon.org/support.
Once again, a big thank you for your help, and for not forgetting the poor.
God bless,
Richard
I wanted to bring some closure to the Switched On development team, for now at least, and say a huge thank you to those who have put time and energy into helping develop software.
As you will recall, we had some pretty exciting times developing code in the UK Developer weekends in 2009 and 2010. These were in preparation for trialing Open Source computer training centres in India to empower those below the poverty line. Our aim was to develop a facility that would add value for the recipients in such a way that they would pay enough for services to make the training centres financially self-sustainable. E.g. through high value training, net cafe services and the like. This would bring all manner of benefits and the assurance that we were meeting real felt needs.
There was a delay in further contact from me following the 2010 developer weekend because I was looking for an opportune time to set up a trial centre so we could test out the features, and therefore do further development based on real user-feedback - in true agile fashion. Unfortunately, Merja and I had to set up an outsourcing business in India at the same time and this proved in-viable given the financial resources at our disposal and the UK economic situation. So... we have had to withdraw from India for now.
Where does that leave the IT project?
Well, Switched On did successfully run an open source computer training centre in Delhi for three years, using thin client and remote support - which really did improve peoples' job careers in a number of documented cases. And we completed two reasonable-scale trials of teaching English using our "hi-tech" methodology. And we have a thought-out plan, and some real demos of code behind it, from you chaps. Technology moves on, and I think that key issues now include how to deliver training to the poor via mobile devices at a low cost, but my hunch is that a lot of the core ideas in our approach still hold. So, let's be open to sharing what we learned with others attempting to use technology to empower the needy, taking new opportunities that might arise to get involved, and at the very least celebrate watching education penetrate the masses of underprivileged with the help of low-cost, feature rich devices in the coming years - and be happy that we joined forces in some way.
An enduring and important outcome is that we now have a growing base of sponsors for some needy yet wonderful Burmese refugees whom we are financially supporting to learn English. Their income has gone up by over 50% as a result, helping them put food on the table. We are looking to find some ways to provide them with some computer training using the laptop we provided, as well as schooling for their children. This is a really worthy cause and it fills our hearts with a lot of joy to be involved. If you think you may like to sponsor one of these oppressed refugees, please take a look at www.switchedon.org/support.
Once again, a big thank you for your help, and for not forgetting the poor.
God bless,
Richard
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