Dedicated Project Visits

The Founder's Ted Talk

last updated Nov. 15, 2013

Introduction

We are building a kit of the 50 most important machines that it takes for modern life to exist - everything from a tractor, to an oven, to a circuit maker. Then we create open source blueprints - so that anyone can build and maintain these at a fraction of what it costs today. Our goal is to create a life size LEGO set of powerful, self-replicating production tools - that can distribute production - to build modern economies from abundant, local resources.

If you'd like to help - we are inviting you to Factor e Farm - our main development facility - in Maysville, Missouri - for a Dedicated Project Visit. Dedicated Project Visits are typically one month in duration, but shorter and longer time frames are acceptable. During the Dedicated Project Visit, Dedicated Project Visitors (DPVs) assist with the current design and prototyping priorities. However, on occasion, a DPV may request a Specialized Dedicated Project Visit where the DPV works on a GVCS project that is not on the current list of priorities, but which is useful because of the special skills and interests of the applicant.

Application and Participation Steps

The goal of a Dedicated Project Visit is to produce tangible results towards the completion of the GVCS. The following are the overall application steps for a Dedicated Project Visit. For any questions, email info at opensourceecology dot org.

1. Initial Contact - Please contact info at opensourceecology dot org, with [DPV] in the subject line. See Initial DPV Request for pertinent information to include in your inquiry.
2. Application - After initial contact, we request that applicants fill out the Application format from the next section and upload to the wiki, according to the instructions. Once completed, please inform the Technical Community Manager.
3. Initial Interview - After reviewing the Application, OSE staff will conduct a 15 minute initial interview, which will be video captured for review by other OSE collaborators.
4. Work Plan - The next step is to draw up a general agreement on the work objectives, consistent with development priorities set by the technical product lead. The project's founder is currently the technical lead. The technical lead will work with DPVs directly, primarily by providing guidance and review throughout the entire DPV period.
5. Evaluation - DPV applications are evaluated based upon the applicant's skills, commitment, and culture fit.
6. On-Boarding - Once an offer for a DPV is accepted, a welcome email will be sent to the applicant to include a matching DPV sponsor who can answer questions about the DPV experience prior to their arrival. Additional information can be found at Community Standards.
7. Documentation - all DPV participants are required to follow Work Log Guidelines.

For remote collaboration, we have Remote Collaboration Standards.

DPV Application

The goal of a Dedicated Project Visit is to produce tangible, significant results that contribute to the creation of the GVCS. We are not a typical hacker space, as our program revolves around a focused set of priorities. Our team swarms on projects in unison in order to achieve a rapid development rate and to boost morale.

Please post the DPV Application materials on our wiki by starting a wiki page - titled 'Your Name Dedicated Project Visit Application'. See the wiki editing Instructions if you have any questions, and let us know that you have completed the application by emailing the link to info@opensourceecology.org.

1. Name, location, contact info (phone, email, Skype).
2. When would you be available for a Dedicated Project Visit and for what duration?
3. Please attach a resume or provide a list of work / volunteer experience and education.
4. Please include a photo of yourself.
5. Please submit a 1 minute video introduction regarding your interest in applying. This is a video-of-interest (VOI) and it must include: (1) Name and country where you are located, (2) why you are interested in applying; (3) what you would like to contribute to our effort and relevant skill set that will help you do that; (4) what are you hoping to get out of your visit? Please upload this video to a public video sharing site such as YouTube or OpenPhoto.
6. Are you willing to publish all the results of your work openly according to the OSE Open IP Guidelines?
7. For the summer vacation period (June - Sep), the cost is $15 per day to cover housing, food, and utilities. We will provide basic food like in a housing cooperative setting, where a lead cook will manage food preparation and DPVs may occcasionally be required to do kitchen duty. During times other than the summer vacation or other dedicated development sessions, the cost per day is $10. Can you meet these obligations? For those who cannot afford to do this, OSE may consider scholarships.
8. Do you have sample work that you could upload and/or share via email? (ie. projects, designs, technical writing, graphic designs, videos, etc).
9. Are there skills/expertise you hope to gain while a DPV at FeF?
10. Please provide three (3) references (professional or educational). Contact information for references can be uploaded with the application, resume, or emailed directly to the Technical Community Manager: info@opensourceecology.org.
11. How did you hear about OSE and the DPV opportunity?
12. Do you have any other concerns or considerations? (May be emailed separately)

Specialized DPV Application

1. Please complete the steps for a DPV Application (above).
2. Please write a one-page proposal brief summarizing what you would like to do, how you would accomplish it, and what resources you would need to do so. Include a budget as necessary.
3. Develop a project plan to include: GVCS product or other OSE-related product/objective (ex: wind turbine prototype development, wiki development or permaculture study). List your goals and deliverables for your Dedicated Project Visit, to include weekly objectives and deliverables. Include the metrics by which you could assess the success of your work.
4. What would you like to get out of your Dedicated Project Visit?
5. Please include sample work of similar projects or scope of responsibility, if available.

Documentation

Documentation is the key to successful open source projects. All DPVs are required to keep a Work Log, and are encouraged to bring a digital camera or smart phone with them to document their work. They may also be asked to blog about their progress at the beginning and end of their DPV.

Living and Working Environment

Factor e Farm is a developmental facility. Basic accommodations include shelter, twin beds, showers, flush toilets, kitchen, and washer/dryer. Participants are expected to follow Factor e Farm Guidelines and Factor e Farm Community Standards, and to cover their own food expenses. Pets are not allowed unless specifically negotiated. See also the DPV Message Board that has links and resources for DPVs such as common used links, 3D modeling resources, DPV work day schedules, chore charts, etc.

Sample Dedicated Project Visit Applications

• Daniel Benamy Dedicated Project Visit Application
• Emmett McGregor Dedicated Project Visit
• Cody Harrison Dedicated Project Visit Application

See Also

• Visit Factor e Farm