(un)social media?

Arrghh! Well, we've now moved around the social media space so much that we're starting to get all mixed-up in terms of our 'corporate' identity! We started over at Webjam which was a neat little enterprise and lasted for some time. However, we soon found that it was not supported by our field equipment, i.e. posts to Blogs etc. could not be made 'off grid' which kind of defeated our ethos. So we moved to Ning.

Ning was being used by a number of organisations who we respected including UN-GAID and a few others so we thought we'd test it for field compatibility. Luckily for us we found that we were able to post to Blogs using some of our (comparitively quite basic) equipment. So we left Webjam behind and wholeheartedly embraced Ning. Overall it seemed a good social networking service, quite professional if at times a little too complex for an 'average' user (if such a person exists). Certainly our colleague in Kenya posted photos and added a couple of Blog posts. We did, however, lose a few of our members in the move which was a concern as we didn't have a lot in the first place!

So, everything was going quite well over at Ning besides the fact that it really turned into a glorified Blog as people stopped using the social network functions. It was basically Yours Truly writing blog entries as to how work was progressing. And so, when Ning decided they were going to start charging a fee for using their site and since we operate on less than a shoestring we decided to jump ships again.

And that's how we ended up back on Blogger which we'd used in the field in Kenya when all else had failed. What can we say, its a Blog. No social networking. Do we need that? Probably not we are realising.

So, still attracted by the idea of having a nice, neat online community represented by a social network we've just been experimenting with Buddypress which is a Wordpress plugin. A quite funky looking site was partially built then we decided to change the 'theme' a little and hey presto lost the whole site! We give up!

To sum, there's a lot to be said for keeping things as simple as possible. Certainly we have been finding that when it comes to designing hardware solutions to help meet our mission aims. Its now looking like the same applies to software (including social media) solutions too. Our community is now running via a very basic static website which has links to Blogger (here) and a Google Discussion Group. We also use Skype a little to stay in touch (actually just the 'chat' facility) and even SMS across continents. And, guess what, on occasions we find ourselves meeting in person! Such delight. :-)

So, in conclusion we should say don't always opt for the latest, most hyped solution out there to help acheive your goals. Stand back, think a little about what it is you are trying to do, think about who will be doing this and where. Don't necessarily opt for the lowest common denominator, sometimes its useful to push the envelope a little. But, please do choose something that works for your community, for the people who will have to get to grips with these new technologies which are still being developed in terms of social as well as technical dimensions. Whilst we are currently disappointed with social media it obviously will find its niche as we all find what works and what doesn't. And I guess that's the point of this far too long Blog post. We've learned a few lessons so its good to share these. And that's what social media should be all about.

SOL-2

This is a collection of equipment (and assorted bits and pieces) that has been shipped out to Kenya. Here we have a Palm Centro PDA, a Solio solar charger, the necessary cables from the charger to the PDA plus the battery, a 12v ('cigarette lighter' plug) USB connector - to charge the PDA from a 12V battery and an SD card adaptor to convert the micro SD in the PDA to full-size. Additionally you'll see some balloons, a pen and a key fob! :-) Always nice to spread a little fun besides all the boring techy stuff. Oh, and there's a micro wind-up torch in this set-up too which isn't too evident in the picture. Finally both instruction manuals for the PDA and Solio charger are included.

So this is hopefully winging its way to Duncan (our Champion) who lives near Lake Bogoria in the Rift Valley. We're not entirely sure what he intends doing with these (although we have a few ideas!) at this stage but he has certainly been involved with local schools in terms of demonstrating the potential of solar power and even offering to install their own solar systems for free...

The PDA contains a whole host of built-in and additional software including our own expert system which recommends various solutions for renewable energy needs based upon answers to a few basic questions.

We'll keep everyone posted right here (or somewhere around 'here' - more in another Blog post) as to how the project progresses. Meanwhile we have to get back to Sol-1, the solar-powered netbook and continue experiments with micro wind turbines, etc.

Many, many thanks to those who have demonstrated compassion by supporting our efforts to date. These include people who have donated and indeed those we have bought hardware and software from. Others have offered ideas along the way so far and mostly everyone has demonstrated an enormous amount of patience as we struggle to acheive our aims kind of at the cutting edge of some of these ideas. We really appreciate everyone's support!

All the best.

Wind-Up Radios Help Community Development

Similar to our own ideas and, indeed, efforts in Haiti, wind-up radios are being deployed in Afghanistan to help improve local governance networks. This seems to be a trial but we think likely to succeed. Its good to see basic communication infrastructures being establised in remote locations for the benefit of the local, rural population. Although, let's not be naive as there are no doubt alterior motives at play here. Nonetheless, should the network prove to be successful we see no reason why it should not be used for purposes beyond taxation collection, etc. For instance, it would be a fairly simple step to commence broadcasting 'educational' content. Furthermore, with the addition of inexpensive mobile phones, such as the one we sent to Haiti - together with a Solio solar charger - communications can become two-way thereby actually empowering local communities to steer their own destiny a little more. Once this is realised the possibilities are almost endless.

so sol

Still waiting to get ahold of a working (and affordable) solar charger for a PDA to send overseas. Unfortunately we've been having little joy with a host of commercially available products. Hopefully this will be resolved soon though.

Meanwhile the PDA is 'good to go' and includes our 'ICT Helper' software to recommend potentional solutions (utilising an Expert System) to these kinds of issues. Its just a prototype so far but hopefully the complete package will create a solid (and inspirational?) foundation.

These frustrations are rather annoying but certainly one has to persevere to solve these pressing problems. We're not prepared to 'sit around' and see the issues just pass us by...this attitude has prevailed for far too long already.

Meanwhile our experiments with our own technological solutions to sustainability will hopefully resume soon...

DIYNGO Site Updates

So, a little site maintenance has taken place:

• Gone are the two flags - we never found the time to translate the site to French unfortunately. Shame really since English tends to dominate far too much.
• Links to the Ning and Webjam blog posts are now under 'resources' together with other useful documents.
• Links to Blogger and Google Groups are under 'collaborate'.
• A few other behind-the-scenes files have been tidied up.

Overall, this should create a much simpler and easier to use website.

Any problems please do let us know!

Thanks.

Discuss...

We decided to try Google Groups as a means of basic collaboration since Ning and Webjam weren't working to well. We don't give in easily! :-)

DIYNGO Desiderata

It seems some time ago now since DIYNGO was dreamed up under what were actually rather difficult circumstances. Although, that said, it probably festered over a prolonged period of reflection.

At first DIYNGO was simply a whole host of ideas without form or shape which were probably not believed by the great majority to whom they were communicated. Perhaps some even felt they were deluded; success would be so far removed from reality that the twain shall never meet. That said, I believe some did think DIYNGO may have legs...

It takes a lot of self-belief and tenacity to move an idea from the realms of the mind to verifiable actions in the physical world. Luckily, DIYNGO is now maturing, having been around for over a year. Technologies we wished existed are beginning to look possible and, indeed, have been proven to work in the areas we wished to investigate. Furthermore, our philosophies are looking like they were 'right' all along...

More to the point though, in this Blog post, is the amount of faith one has to have in one's dreams in order to make them a reality. To fashion something from nothing does not have to be the alchemist's dream alone. It is possible, with determination creativity and sheer bravado at times, to 'fly in the face' of criticism and numerous other obstacles placed in the way of truly innovative projects.

That's all I have to say.

Tim

AGM1 Minutes

Just added AGM1 minutes as a separate 2 page document under 'resources' at www.diyngo.org

And We're Back!

So, we moved from Webjam - which was a great product albeit a little flakey (we found it didn't work in Mini Opera and so couldn't be used in 'the field') to Ning - which has decided to start applying a new fees-only business model - (that we cannot afford) back to the stalwart Blogger!

More news to come as it emerges. Meanwhile do please keep an eye on www.diyngo.org

Thanks for your patience...

Tim