XO Laptop Shipping Crates Double as Charging Shelves

A recent conversation about charging laptops sparked thoughts about how we dealt with this issue.  Our solution won’t work for many other projects, like ones that already have laptops, or projects that get their laptops shipped directly from OLPC or a manufacturer, but it might be of interest to any future projects like ours that need to ship their own laptops. 

What we did was use wooden shipping crates that later doubled as charging shelves.

 

Doing it this way solved several problems for us.  It provided sturdy containers that could withstand international shipping and the rugged mountain trek to the village.  It reduced the space needed to transport the laptops (a major concern for us).  It drastically reduced our shipping costs.  And, it supplied already-made charging shelves in a location where lumber and tools are hard to come by.

 

We took the laptops out of their original cardboard boxes and made our own customized wooden shipping crates, with 9-10 laptops stacked tightly together and then surrounded by cushioning material. The crates were designed to meet airlines’ checked baggage restrictions for weight (≤50 lbs) and size (≤ 62") and had one removable side for airport security inspections.

At the time, airlines were allowing two free checked bags per passenger.  Two project volunteers were able to transport 50 XO laptops, each taking two crates as checked luggage and extra XO laptops in their carry-on bag.  As a result, we ended up having virtually no excess baggage fees, and our overall shipping costs were minimal.  This saved us hundreds of dollars.

When the laptops reached their destination, we removed one side of each crate and turned the crates into charging shelves. The extra side panels were used to hold the stacked crates together. Power strips were inserted into a compartment on the side of the crates. The XO adapter/power cords were plugged into these, then run along the top of each crate, with a short length of the end hanging loose, just enough to plug into the shelved XOs.

We also brought extra batteries (seen on the shelves).  We swap these out with charged laptop batteries and then charge the extras while in the XO laptops.

- Janissa


 

First Deployment Trip: Planned Objectives and Tasks Accomplished

Here's a quick summary of the objectives of our recent trip to Lesotho and what we actually managed to accomplish. Much more detailed information will follow soon.  

1. Deliver computers and supplies to Nohana Primary School:
        Completed, except scanner - repair part ordered 
2. Provide secure storage for laptops and project supplies:
        Completed
3. Supply additional educational and HIV/AIDS materials:
        Partially completed, ongoing 
4. Set up a generator and charging system to power the laptops:
        Mostly completed, system functional, will be fully completed soon
5. Set up a network server with internet access:
        Not completed, though we expect it to be completed before the new school year in January
6. Train the teachers in computer skills, how to use the laptops for lessons in their classrooms, basic laptop reformatting and repairs, and generator operation and maintenance:
        Completed
7. Negotiate contracts between all parties involved:
        Completed
8. Develop community and regional support:
        Successful, ongoing

All in all, the project has been a great success thus far. There were a few glitches that still need to be addressed, but that's not unexpected when working in a developing nation and a very remote setting. All the glitches are being actively dealt with, and we believe they will be resolved in the very near future.

 

-Janissa

Craig Balcomb offers to help with fundraising research

My brother, Craig, has offered to help with the research to find possible funding sources for the solar power infrastructure we need to run and charge the laptops. This work is extremely time-consuming, tedious, and boring, so his help is GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks, Craig!

- Janissa