We discussed this in some detail when the Chapter was first buying
laptops to loan out to volunteers, I even created some open source
Puppy Linux example CDs. A benefit was that this was a way of avoiding
issues of users borrowing laptops from leaving information on the hard
drives, and if they liked the working environment they could keep the
USB stick that created it.

It is perfectly possible to create a cheap (£2 ?) 1 GB USB drive that
can be used by anyone anywhere to run a safe linux (or kiosk)
environment with basic browsers and internet connection, customized
with handy links and information about Wikimedia, the UK charity or
other open knowledge projects. It should be kept in mind that running
from a USB stick is not possible for all laptop types, however it is
also possible to create a DVD or CD image that does the same thing.

The DVD/USB image could be shared on the internet so that anyone could
create a copy on a USB stick, rather than the UK Charity supplying USB
sticks.

If USB sticks are going to be given out at Wikimania, it would be
smart to have something like this on them to play around with, even if
users were to wipe the stick and use it for storage.

Fae

On 12 May 2014 12:34, Stevie Benton <stevie.benton@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I thought you might be interested in this story I saw at the weekend -
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27346567 - about a project that uses
> memory sticks to install operating systems on old or unused computers to
> give people in the developing world their own computer.
>
> As a secondary note, I wondered if anyone had any ideas about how Wikipedia
> access could be built in to the mix. I know of Kiwix but wondered if this
> story would perhaps inspire any great ideas.
>
> All thoughts welcome! Thank you,
>
> Stevie
>
> --
>
> Stevie Benton
> Head of External Relations
> Wikimedia UK
> +44 (0) 20 7065 0993 / +44 (0) 7803 505 173
> @StevieBenton
>
> Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
> Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
> Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
> United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
> movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
> operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
>
> Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over
> Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.
>
>

> _______________________________________________
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> WMUK: https://wikimedia.org.uk



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