C.L.T.C–II

The first/prototype Community-Linux Training Centre has come to the end of its working life. The five Dell Pentium-II/266MHz laptops, which were already 3 years old when we bought them in 2002, have now ceased to be a viable platform to conduct workshops with the public: None of the internal batteries now function, the keyboards on two of the laptops have failed and a screen on a third functions intermittently. However, after three years "on the road", being bounced on-and-off buses, trains and planes across the UK and in the Caribbean, two of the laptops still work!

...but you can't do a lot with two laptops, so all in all, we think it's time to start a-new.

Since the CLTC Project started in 2001 we've refined its function to reflect the training side more than the hardware side. The hardware-side of things is now run by a "different group of geeks" through the Salvage Server Project. The CLTC project now concentrates primarily on Gnu/Linux training and research using the laptops of the training centre as a means to deliver practical workshops – but the links with the hardware-side via the Salvage Server Porject mean that we are a Gnu/Linux project that is also able to provide assistance with issues from to renewable power systems. However this work has been inihibted recently by the poor condition of the hardware, and the lack of time for those involved to develop new material for use with groups in workshops, or via the web site.

We know how to install the system, and how to configure it for use with members of the public. Therefore, in developing a new project, the priority is to develop better information and documentation rather than a new system design. We see the priorities for re-developing the CLTC project as:

1. Obtain new computers – but we'd get six laptops instead of five – along with a portable printer and scanner, install them with a range of Gnu/Linux distributions and document the process;
   
   
2. Newer laptops will have a higher power demand, so our existing battery pack and voltage regulator will be insufficient – so we would build a new power system, specifically designed work with renewable power sources, and document the process so that it could be replicated by other groups (much of this work has already been done by the Salvage Server Project in relation to projects in Africa and the Caribbean, but as yet it's un-documented);
   
   
3. Most importantly, develop a new package of materials and documentation for use with the new system.

Over the past four years the CLTC project has developed a small amount of practical training materials as well as some more technical documentation on how to develop a CLTC-like system. The ability to use the CLTC system in workshops has also enabled the Salvage Server project to develop its own range of training materials. Using this information we haver been able to use the CLTC system to deliver training (at a very low/no cost) to community associations, local campaign groups, NGOs, and students on community education courses. Our experience with the CLTC has also led to practical, Linux-based community computer projects in the UK, and elsewhere – for example, The Container Project.

For this work to continue and develop we need to obtain new funding to buy new hardware, but more importantly, provide a small amount of funding to support the development of new documentation and training materials. The sources of funding that paid for Phase-I no longer exist, and so we're appealling to the Gnu/Linux community NGOs for contributions.

We're looking for roughly £7,500 over three years, to be spent as follows:

• Initial system funding –
  – Six laptops, five clients and one server, £3,000;
  – Portable printer and scanner, £250
  – Contribution to time/costs of initial system documentation, £270
        [at least 50 hours @ minimum wage]
  – Total, £3,520
  
  
• Renewable power system funding –
  – Production of power regulator system, £100
  – New 24 volt/114Ah battery pack, £480
  – Small marine wind turbine, £450
  – Contribution to time/costs of power system documentation, £270
        [at least 50 hours @ minimum wage]
  – Total, £1,300
  
  
• Phase-II project, years 1 to 3 –
  – Production of training materials/documentation, £800
        [at least 150 hours @ minimum wage]
  – Maintenance of web site, £80
        [at least 15 hours @ minimum wage]
  – Total, £880 per year (£2,640 over 3 years)
  
  

The big change in the project outline from the Phase-I project is that we are paying a token amount for people to prepare training materials, and to document the development of the system. During the three years that the CLTC system operated that those involved in delivering training were unable to devote enough time to the documentation side because of the pressures of work (all those involved are self-employed). We hope that by giving a small amount to cover the costs of producing written work we can plug the gap that was always problematic in Phase-I of the project.

We're also planning to improve the "off-grid" performance of the system by increasing the capacity of the battery pack and buying a small wind turbine. After taking the system to festivals we found that after a few days the photovoltaic panels couldn't keep the battery charged. With a small wind turbine we could use the system for longer off the grid, as well as having enough battery capacity to run a data projector for short periods.

Obviously, because our equipment could be used with groups who might be construed under Charity Commission guidelines as being "political", we have found obtaining money from grant bodies difficult. Therefore we are looking to obtain funds from private donors – either the whole amount, or certain parts of the Phase-II project. We'll consider any offers, provided that the conditions of the grant do not compromise the objectives of the CLTC Project.

If you are able to help, please get in touch with us – cltc@fraw.org.uk.