Mark J Norton

Mark J. Norton

Team Culturing Information

last updated: 19. April, 2011

WHO are you?

• Name/Nationality/Ethnicity - Mark J. Norton, USA

• Location – Willseyville, NY, US

• Contact Information –

emal: markjnorton (at) earthlink (dot) net
land: 607-236-4098
mobile: 781-698-9314
AIM: mjnsakai
Skype: nolaria OSE User Name: User:Mjn

• Introductory Video -

• Resume/CV – http://www.nolaria.com/consult/resume_mjn.htm

• Hobbies and Pastimes -

Reading
Travel
Permaculture
Farming
Food Preservation
Art and Crafts (watercolors, 3D graphics, etc. See http://www.nolaria.org/art/welcome.htm)
Lego Model Building
Martial Arts (Aikido, Yondan)
Japanese Language, Culture, History, Art,etc.

WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?

• Do you endorse open source culture?

Yes, I have been a supporter and participant in open source projects for many years - mostly software. I believe that it can be the basis for a non-consumer based economy in which everyone can live a healthy, happy life. It is very encouraging to me to see the rise of hardware-based open source efforts like OSE, though I've been following other efforts (OS telephones, I own an Android phone, cars, component based computer platforms, etc.).

• Why are you interested in this work?

Well, it's both selfish and selfless. Selfish because I think that some of the GVGS tools would be quite appropriate for my farm and the life I am trying to build. Selfless because I'd really like to see this project succeed. I think that many, many people can potentially benefit from it - in many parts of the world.

• Are you interested in teaching about the GVCS?

Yes. As part of the software business that I have, I deliver customized technical training on the open source projects that I've participated in, especially the Sakai learning management system. See https://confluence.sakaiproject.org/display/~markjnorton/Sakai+Training+Project for the curriculum that I developed and have been giving to dozens of developers all over the world.

• Are you interested in economic relocalization possibilities arising from the GVCS?'

Yes. I strongly believe that local communities are essential for the future of economic prosperity in the country. My wife and I already participate in the local homesteading, canning, and permaculture groups in the Ithaca area. Ithaca (about a 15 minute drive north of our village) is a hot bed of localism, alternative energy, green culture, slow food, and more. It also is a great center for learning with both Ithaca College and Cornell University.

• Do you want to use the GVCS technologies yourself? Do you want to build them yourself?

Yes, in particular the LifeTrac and the Steam Engine. I need some kind of tractor on my farm which is appropriate to it's size (15 acres). While we could probably afford to buy a used tractor (there are many for sale locally), I really like the idea of combined tractor/skid-loader work horse.
I view having a wood fired steam engine as a means to move use more off-grid. We live between two hills which shelters us from the prevailing winds. While that makes a nicer micro-climate, it prevents us from using wind turbines. PV panels are a possibility, but I view it is a large expense in a very high technology. Micro-hydro is a possibility, but would require damming our small creek.
Given the desire, I recognize that there are many skills that I'd need to learn. I have some small experience with brazing and welding which I think I could ramp up to what is needed to build these devices. I have many of the tools, but would need to buy more. I am not afraid of learning new skills or tackling big jobs. For example, we are building our own house this year with the aid of some local contractors. While we contracted out the basement and framing, my wife and I will be doing the siding, plumbing, electrical, flooring, and wall boarding. For the record - she does plumbing, wallboarding, and painting. I do electric and heavy lifting.  :)

• Are you interested in starting up enterprise using the GVCS technologies?

No, but I might be interested in backing my son in such a venture. He is 24.

• Are you interested in having the GVCS technologies fabricated by your local custom fabricator?

YES! That would be a HUGE time saver and I wouldn't have to buy so many specialized tools. Actually, I have a friend who lives about 45 minutes from were I live who is a machinist. He has many high end tools like CNC lasers, Bridgeport, plasma welder, die presses, etc. I don't think he has a 3D printer. Maybe we can swap for the use of toysn - er, tools.

• Are you interested in applying the GVCS to third world development? To redevelopment of crisis areas? To development of derelict areas in the developed world?

In theory, yes. In practice, time is a limiting factor. Running my own business and keeping up the farm is a more than full time effort.

• Are you interested in starting up Industry 2.0 flexible fabrication enterprises for your local community, by drawing from a global repository of freely down-loadable designs and fabricating using open source fabrication equipment?

I would be interested in supporting such an effort locally. I could see myself as a backer, part time maker, organizer, etc.

• Are you interested in the potential of the GVCS for developing local food systems?

Oh yes, starting with my own farm. After two years of ramp up, we are about 60% self sufficient in food. With the future addition of grain crops, that number will move up closer to 80%. We anticipate adding small livestock in the new few years as well (poultry, rabbits, perhaps a cow).
We are active participants in Ithacan ([ithacan.ning.com ithacan.ning.com]) - a local community of food preservationists that practice canning, drying, fermentation, salting, pickling, and other techniques.
Ithaca has a very active local farmer's market, an organic food co-op, and many locavore restaurants. Small stores like The Piggery are popping up everywhere these days. The GVCS would be a great way to encourage scale appropriate technology for local agriculture.

• Are you interested in doing academic studies/papers, publishing books, or doing other analysis of our efforts?

I am interested in contributing to the quality of documentation such as instructions, diagrams, 3D graphics, photographs, videos, and the like. I am less interested in the academic side of things.

• Are you interested in financial investment opportunities arising from our work?

Perhaps. It would depend on the opportunity.

• Are you interested in the distributive economic aspects of our work, and if so, how do you see this playing out?

I have seen and participated in several approaches to sustainable open source development activities. Some of them work, many don't. I've had a look at the economic sustainability methods being attempted by OSE. My guess is that they will work as long as the buzz is loud. Other methods may be needed in the longer term (endowments, trust funds, grants, commercial arms, etc.).

• Are you interested in building renewable energy production facilities based on open hardware (solar concentrator electric, wind, biomass power).

Yes, particularly biomass power generators since we have 13 acres of trees on our land and access to many more. I am an advocate of sustainable forestry (and also the concept of food forests) and look forward to putting those beliefs into practice. I mentioned micro-hydro as a possibility above. Solar collectors might be possible, but isn't as optimal as other things. Our house has been designed with passive solar heat in mind.

• Are you interested in building resilient communities based on access to the GVCS?

Yes, but I am aware that in many ways, social engineering is MUCH more difficult than physical engineering. Among my diverse educational experiences, I had the chance to participate in an intensive program on life coaching. I am certified by the Newfield Group in Ontological Coaching, which gives me some insight into how to build communities and social structures. I have served as a trained meeting moderator, project coordinator, and project documentation specialist. I have also had several flavors of leadership training - some through past activities with Scouting.

• Are you interested in creating a bug-out hut using GVCS technologies?

Huh. I don't know what that is. I'd being interested in learning more about it and it's rationales.

• How do you think that the GVCS can help alleviate the instabilities of global monetary systems?

I believe that our global and national economies are fundamentally broken. We have become a consumer based and debt driven mass of people controlled by very sophisticated marketing techniques. Helping people to become self sufficient will enable them to weather the economic turmoils that are very likely to come (post peak oil, for starters). I believe that the GVCS is a wonderful way to create local communities that are self sufficient without returning to the middle ages. If people can get what they need locally, grow it themselves, or make it from local resources, they are less dependent on the global monetary system. I think of it as a grass roots damper for the wild chaos being promulgated by corporations, big ag, big pharma, big [insert your monopoly here].

• How do you think that the GVCS can address issues related to resource conflicts?

We, as a whole civilization must realize that the age of oil has peaked and soon there will be no more. We missed our best chance to develop alternative energy techniques back in the 1970's, but it's not too late to mitigate the impact of a decline in petrochemical use (fuel, transportation, food production, plastics, waxes, etc, etc, etc). GVCS and a maker ethic will enable us to develop local alternatives that make sense for the local climate and culture.
I also love the re-use, fixable, durability aspects of the OSE charter document. I hate our throw away culture and the fact that simple things break for no reason and are unfixable.Grrr. Don't get me started on that.

• How do you think that the GVCS can address issues of overpopulation?

Hmm. Interesting question. Here is what I belive: we will likely see periods of population die off over the next 20 - 50 years. Some will be based on food crises, many on war, some due to lack of water, and (sadly) rampant disease. Some of these events will be episodic, others difficult to discern trends like starvation based on the ever increasing cost of food globally.
The GVCS could be the basis for pockets of stability in afflicted areas (and I include the first world countries in that statement). Also, I believe that economic prosperity is tied to population growth - though the sub-ZPG numbers of countries like Japan and Germany are a counter to that argument. The GVCS is more likely to have a local impact on population, than a global one, if it creates economic stability. On the other hand, such stability might be attractive to people in non-stable areas.
This is a question will require further conversation and thought.

• How do you think that the GVCS can address issues of resource depletion and environmental degradation?

Re-use, maintainability, repairability, use of renewable resources, shifting us away from consumerism, etc.

• Other comments

I think I've said enough above.  :)

WHAT

• What have you already contributed to the OSE project? (technical contributions, blogging about us, financial support, organizing events, translations, interviews, video editing, publications, publicity work, behind-the-scenes work, CAD work, wiki contributions, computer support, etc)

Nothing, beyond interest. As near as I can tell, there is a barrier to contribution that this form is a part of. I understand the need for such barriers, but it does create a chicken/egg situation w.r.t contribution.

Communications

• I am an experience technical writer and communicator. I have worked with video and film in the past. I have artistic and design skills. I have experience with computer animation, 3D modeling, art, digital and web site design. I am a trainer, speaker and presenter. I have little or no skill in marketing.

Organizational

• I have worked as a project manager. I have helped build various social organizations. I participated in the development of martial arts school and I sit on it's board of directors (it is a 501-C7 corporation). I have had experience organizing public events.As to law, I am not an expert. However, I have experience on open source licenses both in evaluating them and in writing them.

Computer Support

• I am an experienced software developer. I have a MS in Computer Science along with a BS in EE. My resume (see above) describes my software capabilities in some detail. I do use Linux, as well as Windows. I have extensive experience organizing and managing Wiki's - primarily using confluence, but also MediaWiki. I could lead software development activities and have quite a bit of experience in doing so. I have designed and built several web sites. I have experience with database systems that include MySQL (open source) and Oracle (proprietary).

Finances

• I run my own software consultancy that consists of myself and my wife. Nolaria Consulting has been active in contract open source development since 2003. In the course of running that business (as a sole prorietorship), I do my own billing, accounts receivable, invoicing, tax preparation, etc. I have a rolling business plan that I keep up to date that allows me to plan for the future and track the past.

Sociology

• Oh yes. that would be a fascinating activity to participate in.

Home Economics

• LOL Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, French, etc. Come buy some time and we'll cook for you. We both LOVE to cook. We grow much of our own food and are slowly expanding our food production capabilities. The house we are building will include custom food storage and a climate controlled root cellar. We are experienced canners, food driers, and picklers. Next year we are trying out lacto-fermentation and hope to try out charcuterie. I can cook for a group of 30-30 people - perhaps more though I've never tried. We have made our own jams, jellies, and chutnies. My wife bakes our own bread every week.Our food production currently consists of eight raised beds and eight flat beds. We leverage the principles of sustainable agriculture and permaculture. We have an orchard of 8 fruit trees and 5 nut trees (all around 7 years old and not producing yet).

Design

• I wouldn't label myself an industrial or product designer, but as an engineer I have been trained to consider such things. I have taken drafting classes when young. I've worked with a number of 3D graphic applications, though I must admit that my wife has more CAD experience than I do, having designed our new house using Home Designer, a custom house CAD application. I've used Google Sketch-up, but not the commercial CAD products like AutoCAD, etc.
  

I have some limited experience with electric circuitry and power distribution systems (largely house wiring).

Building

• Much as I'd love to claim maker status, I cannot. I am comfortable and skilled with power and hand tools. I have a sizable collection of new and antique tools. I have built several moderate scale farm projects including fencing, a cold box, a cold frame, etc. I have repaired and maintained my larger farm implements (garden tractor, chipper/shredder, and rear-tine rototiller). I own and have used a chain saw, but am not certified. I do have my own blacksmithing forge and have built several tools including tongs, punches, fullers, etc. I have forged a variety of hardware fittings and other things in iron. I can forge-weld, temper, draw, upset, rivet and perform other blacksmithing operations.

Electronics and Magnetics

• Though my degree in Electrical Engineering touched on these things, I have no practical experience.

Automation

• I am familiar with them only through reading. I have no practical experience in this area.

Metallurgy

• Blacksmithing (see above). Case hardening, tempering, annealing, some surface treatments, etc. I have some (a little) experience with power hammers and die presses.

Engineering

• I can only claim expert status in software.

HOW can you help?

• How are you interested in contributing to the work of GVCS development?

I'm interested in building some of the GVCS tools for my own use. In doing so, I would be willing to document the building process and share my experiences.
I'm interested in helping to manage development and prototyping efforts, researching new tools, existing technologies, etc.
I'd like to help to improve the overall quality of documentation and how it is communicated to the world.

• Can you volunteer to work with us, and if so, how many hours per week?

Initially, 3-5 hours a week.

• Are you interested in working with us for pay? If so, what services can you offer, and what is your hourly or per-project rate?

If you are interested in retaining me for software development or project management, we can discuss a greatly reduced fee over my normal rates ($130/hr).

• Are you interested in purchasing equipment from us to help bootstrap development?

Yes, depending on what it is and how much.

• Are you interested in bidding for consulting/design/prototyping work?

Less so.

• Are you a True Fan? If not, why not?

Getting to it.

• Would you like to see yourself working with us on a full-time basis?

No, I don't think so. My software business is doing quite well. In many ways, I am better able to contribute to OSE if I continue that work.

• Are you interested in using the technologies that we are developing directly?

Yes. See above.

• Are you interested in being part of the world's first, open source, resilient community? The GVCS is the preparatory step for the OSE Village Experiment – a 2 year, immersion experiment (2013-2014) for testing whether a real, thriving, modern-day prototype community of 200 people can be built on 200 acres using local resources and open access to information? We are looking for approximately 200 people to fill a diverse array of roles, according to the Social Contract that is being developed. This may be the boldest social experiment on earth - a pioneering community whose goal is to extend the index of possibilities regarding harmonious existence of humans, ecology, and technology – as a beacon of light to benefit of all people on Earth.

Not as an on-site participant. Remotely is a possibility. I have a farm and business to run. That said, I think the OSE Village Experiment is a very interesting idea.

Note: approximately two hours spent responding to this survey.