HOWTO

The Journal of Community Informatics by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2007-03-30 18:30

Community Informatics (CI) is the study and the practice of enabling communities with Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). CI seeks to work with communities towards the effective use of ICTs to improve their processes, achieve their objectives, overcome the "digital divides" that exist both within and between communities, and empower communities and citizens in the range of areas of ICT application including for health, cultural production, civic management, e-governance among others. The Journal of Community Informatics brings together a global range of academics, CI practitioners and national and multi-lateral policy makers. Each issue of the Journal of Community Informatics will contain double blind peer-reviewed research articles as well as commentaries by leading CI practitioners and policy makers.

IT+46 by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2007-04-25 15:20

IT +46 was started in 2004 to take on the challenge of localizing free and open source software to Swahili. That intense experience in Africa helped the IT+46 team to define a mission of : Knowledge Transfer to the recipients. As their latest report states, "IT +46 is convinced that IT can play an important role in making development sustainable. But since information by itself is not knowledge, we aim to share knowledge rather than simply transfer information. This approach is considered in our projects from the design to the implementation and training. We work together with grassroots organizations, academia, as well as regulators in both developing and developed countries. The company brings more than ten years of hands-on international working experience in Information Technology in the areas of: * Education and Training in ICTs * Free and Open Source Software Development * Localization of Software * Design and Implementation of fixed and wireless Infrastructure * Voice over IP * Network and Computer Security * ICT Policies and Development Plans * Energy Solutions for ICTs

OMIDYAR Network by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-12-04 17:30

"Originally, we created this tool so that everyone at Omidyar Network could share news and information; discuss different ideas and viewpoints; collaborate on documents; post announcements; sync up our calendars; and, in general, stay well informed. We found that it served us well. In fact, we wondered if others might find value in it, too. So, we decided to open it up to anyone and everyone working toward making the world a better place. Here, you can: * Participate in group discussions and collaborate on a wide variety of topics * Create a home where you can collaborate and communicate with others * Invite anyone you want to join or create discussions and workspaces Because this isn't a typical web site, its value depends on you. You help make omidyar.net useful to others. You help decide how it evolves. There are certain ground rules, however: We are all here because we believe in making the world a better place. We believe in treating each other with respect. We believe everyone has something to contribute. Many of you have already contributed greatly to making the world a better place. Thank you for all your efforts up until now. And thank you, in advance, for your efforts in the future."

How To Accelerate Your Internet: A practical guide to Bandwidth Management and Optimization using Open Source Software by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-10-17 05:04

Access to sufficient Internet bandwidth enables worldwide electronic collaboration, access to informational resources, rapid and effective communication, and grants membership to a global community. Therefore, bandwidth is probably the single most critical resource at the disposal of a modern organisation. The goal of this book is to provide practical information on how to gain the largest possible benefit from your connection to the Internet. By applying the monitoring and optimisation techniques discussed here, the effectiveness of your network can be significantly improved. We hope that you find these materials and this website useful. Please feel free to contribute your own experiences on the wiki and mailing list, and help make the next edition even better.

COOVA - Hot Spot Management by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-10-17 05:07

In order to make Hotspot Setup and Management using off-the-shelf components a whole lot easier, Coova's first solution is open source firmware tailor made for HotSpots. Check it out…

The City of the Future - Turin (PDF document, 11231Kb) by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-10-11 19:01

Malcolm Matson's closing keynote presentation given at the Cisco e-Leaders Forum in Turin on 11th October 2006. Exploring the Forum topic of "Transforming Cities: Innovative uses of ICT for social and economic development", the presentation highligh the key themes and issues facing any city or municipality.

Seattle - Report of Broadband & Telecommunications Task Force (PDF document, 2191Kb) by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-10-14 18:08

The Seattle City Council created, with concurrence by Mayor Greg Nickels, the Task Force on Broadband and Telecommunications in summer, 2004. The Task Force was charged to explore and report on the feasibility of using municipal resources in a network that is available to the public using broadband technologies. The work of the committee included evaluation of broadband technologies such as broadband over power lines; Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, and other wireless applications; and end-user fiber-optics build out. The Task Force explored the future of broadband and broadband experiences of other cities and governments, and assesses City of Seattle assets that could help shape the future of telecommunications information services for the City, its citizens and its businesses. The thirteen-member Task Force was chaired by Steve Clifford, the former CEO of King Broadcasting. Seattle City Council Resolution 30684 directed that members of the Task Force should have the following expertise, experience and attributes: * Members of the business, technology, and telecommunication communities; * Persons with a background in community technology; * Persons with expertise in technology and telecommunications law and regulation; and * Citizens with an interest in technology, telecommunications, and the delivery of services to residents and businesses in Seattle.

City of Seattle, Washington State, USA by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-10-14 18:11

The Seattle City Council created, with concurrence by Mayor Greg Nickels, the Task Force on Broadband and Telecommunications in summer, 2004. The Task Force was charged to explore and report on the feasibility of using municipal resources in a network that is available to the public using broadband technologies. It reported in May 2005

How To Accelerate Your Internet: A practical guide to Bandwidth Management and Optimization using Open Source Software (PDF document, 5966Kb) by BMO Book Sprint Team — last modified 2006-10-17 04:57

The book helps network architects understand and troubleshoot problems related to managing Internet bandwidth, which often result in unnecessarily high operational costs in the developing world. Network connections are very expensive in most parts of the world, and it is often costly and difficult to add additional network capacity. Therefore, effective management and optimization of bandwidth is crucial. Research and education benefit significantly from Internet resources, yet the majority of institutions take little or no action to manage their bandwidth usage. This waste results in high operating costs, slow network connections, and frustrated network users. The goal of the book is to provide practical information on how to gain the largest possible benefit from your connection to the Internet. By prioritizing certain kinds of network activity, reducing the impact of spam and viruses, providing local content caching, and performing extensive monitoring and analysis of network usage, Internet consumption can be brought to manageable levels. This makes it possible to provide equitable access for all users, even when the available bandwidth is quite small. But technical solutions only solve part of the problem. In order to prioritize network traffic, an organization needs to have a clear idea of the intended purpose of the network connection, as well as insight into how the connection is being used. The book addresses this complex topic by covering the three major components of effective bandwidth management: Effective policy, extensive monitoring & analysis, and solid network implementation. In addition, troubleshooting techniques, advanced performance tuning tips and tricks, and real-world case studies are also provided.

Wi-Pie in the sky? by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-03 19:32

The Economist Technology Quarterly published in March 11th-17th issue. An interesting albeit slightly sceptical general article about citywide open access WiFi. Almost entirely US centric

Dave Hughes, A Wireless OPLAN Pioneer of Global Vision by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-17 12:03

VIDEO : John Wilson, Welsh OPLAN pioneer, take a trip to visit Dave Hughes in Old Colorado City in March 2001. A classic tour exploring communications as a means of community regeneration, including: Dave Hughes' Old Colorado City neighbourhood and regeneration efforts; his Old Colorado City Communications wireless ISP and NSF Wireless Project workshop; bench-testing and demonstration of no-licence wireless technologies; plus a concluding polemic on spectrum management policy and the shift to a new paradigm based on shared spectrum use, enabling a wireless commons for the empowerment of the user-producer and the local community.

Dewayne Hendricks, "Towards Open Spectrum" by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-17 12:08

VIDEO : Dewayne Hendricks, major US advocate for open spectrum and OPLAN Foundation Council of Reference Membe, presents to the ABC2 Conference "Revolution at the Edge: Broadband Networks and Innovation" held inLondon, England. ""We can't afford to lose another 20 years" he concludes, after highlighting the early 1980s phase of spread-spectrum innovation in the United States that signalled the paradigm shift to shared spectrum use beyond the property real estate model, the subsequent prevalence of spectrum politics over spectrum technology, the unintended consequences of un-licensed spectrum access, and the current promise of cognitive radios and shared spectrum use across bands. "

Practical Advice on the Political Arguments for Unlicensed Spectrum (PDF document, 61Kb) by Dave Hughes — last modified 2006-08-19 15:17

The experienced 'hands on' open access pioneer, Dave Hughes from Old Colorado, USA, sets out his very pracitcal and experienced based thoughts on how an OPLAN pioneer in a developing country should lobby for unlicensed spectrum. Set in the context of Nepal, Dave offers generally relevant advice.

OneVillage Foundation by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-15 12:57

OVF sees the challenge and opportunity of using Information Communication Technology (ICT) to address World Urgent Issues, by providing a platform for an integrated approach to sustainable development. People have lost, or stopped practicing, the knowledge of sustainable living. Our mission is to connect art, science and education with proactive, hands on, community oriented actions on the ground that promote more sustainable ways of living in both developing and developed parts of the world. We are devoted to increasing collaboration and access to ICT in under-served communities, facilitating local content creation and dissemination, and building bridges among digital and physical communities globally.

Seamless Freedom: The Wireless Revolution by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-17 11:57

VIDEO : Peter Cochrane (OPLAN Foundation Council of Reference member) gives the keynote presentation to The Wireless Event, London, 18 May 2006. A visionary comment on the future

Connecting Keokuk: Wireless broadband case study by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-17 11:59

VIDEO : A case study of a wireless ISP in Keokuk rural Iowa, highlighting the use of licence-exempt 802.11 wireless technology as a first mile broadband solution for remote and rural areas.

The WiFiSoft.org Foundation by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-08-17 13:34

Based in the Netherlands, The WifiSoft.org Foundation initiates and stimulates local and international cooperation between communities that administrate a public wireless network. Wifisoft.org achieves and facilitates cooperation between Wireless Communities via the Internet. We organize and facilitate lectures and hands-on workshops. Next to this Wifisoft.org develops and maintains open source software. The Foundation hosts the annual Wireless Community Camp which takes place in the first week of August (2-6 August 2006). These five days there are meant to facilitate a knowledge exchange about how to start up wireless communities

Open Spectrum panel at at Wizards of OS4 Convention - Berlin, Sept 2006 by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-09-21 08:43

With Armin Medosch (author & wireless networker, London) acting as Chair, a panel comprising Malcolm Matson (OPLAN Foundation); Onno Purbo (Free Wireless Networking Activist, Jakarta, Indonesia); Robert Horvitz (Stichting Open Spectrum, Prague) make insightful presentation on the topic of Open Spectrum and enter into an informative discussion with each other and the audience on the topic of Open Spectrum.

Telecenters and Community Resource & Information Centres in Pakistan : Vol 2 (PDF document, 6977Kb) by Salman Ansari Technology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. — last modified 2006-11-26 20:24

See description under Vol 1

Telecenters Hardware Costing Sheets - Pakistan (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, 35Kb) by Salman Ansari Technology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd — last modified 2006-11-26 20:29

Practical Excel costing sheet for detailed development of a 'telecenter' - relevant for anywhere in the developing world