One important aspect to our work is the collaboration with our funding partners such as USAID. Besides providing the necessary funding to make our work necessary, we strongly benefit from the collected expertise and expertise of the members of the USAID team. The following is a response to a number of thoughtful questions by Judy Payne which we thought shed some light on the progress of our project.
1. I see lmi is using VIA PC’s as the servers at the CLIC and Kiosks. How were these selected? What was the criteria used? Price? And experience with them? Did the team consider just using an existing PC on the CLIC end or were there technical reasons why a new PC was needed to make this work? I know the team planned to use a tender process to select the technical approach. I’d love to have a copy of the tender so we can share it with others (with any pointers on what the team would improve for future use and a list of the recipients and respondents to the tender.)
The story behind the VIA’s is actually quite an interesting one. As part of our work in northern Mali, we developed a Desert PC system* based on VIA components that we deployed in sites like Bourem Inaly. Once VIA found about these systems they became very interested and sent out a senior level representative to Mali to see how we were using VIA systems with our work. Since then, VIA has released, under their PC-1 initiative, the PHD (Power, Heat, and Dust), based on the Geekcorps Desert PC, which they are aiming for markets in the developing world. As our partnership has grown, VIA donated eight PHD systems for use in the LMI project in addition to the four systems they had donated earlier.
A core component of the Cybertigi model is the installation of fixed kiosks in select rural villages in Mali. Since most of these sites off the power grid using a traditional PCs would greatly increase the setup cost of each kiosk requiring a minimum of 6 solar panels and corresponding batteries to power the 250-350W+ that a standard PC draws. The VIA PHD allowed us to setup kiosks using only one solar panel and provided the proven durability we were seeking. The PHD systems we are using are commercially available from about $600-700 dollars. The entire kiosk setup (PHD - $700, LCD monitor - $150, scanner - $50, 60W solar panel - $300, and 100AH solar battery - $100, charge controller - $40, Digital camera - $120) costs approximately $1,500.
With regards to the servers at the CLIC, it would have been possible to convert one of the machines at the CLIC to serve as a the Cybertigi server. During the pilot stage of this project, we opted to provide a dedicated machine since it may require having it taken back to Geekcorps for updates and we didn’t want it being used for outside uses during the testing period. More importantly we did not want to interfere in any way with the daily operations of the CLIC as each of their machines represent an income generating unit. Technically, the server at the CLIC that drives the Cybertigi system runs a standard postfix mail server using the UUCP protocol and for this reason it needs to be running Linux. Since all of the machines at the CLIC have Windows installed this causes another problem.
After our initial discussions with Dennis and you, it was entirely our intent to pursue a tender with groups like FirstMileSolutions (FMS), however, as the model for our project evolved we began to realize that the solution that groups provided, while excellent, where not appropriate for what we were trying to achieve. The solution developed by FMS was to bring asynchronous Internet connectivity to organizations trying to connect to the Internet. While the system we developed provides a similar functionality, their primary clients where a circuit of school computer labs and local NGO offices that desired to have their data updated several times a week. To facilitate a time efficient delivery mechanism, FMS developed a system that would allow this transfer at a distance, wirelesly via WiFi from a computer fixed to a moving motorcycle. Again while an excellent and robust system, we began to realize that for the needs of our project the FMS solution was more then we needed since our requirements were less demanding. Since we Cybertigi operator would only visit each kiosk on a weekly or biweekly basis and would certainly spend some time with each Kiosk entrepreneur at every visit, we realized that it did not matter whether the data was transferred via WiFi, and ethernet cord or USB key. Our focus then shifted on developing a method that improved the replicability of our model by reducing the overall cost of equipment to make such a system work.
Initially, we still wanted to try and do the data transfer via WiFi since it faciliated ease of use and increased overall durability since there would not be any cables to break. Technically, the mode by which data is transferred is via the UUCP protocol which has been around since the early 80’s. For this to work, however, the device which would connect to each machine would have to be a small computer capable of running a postfix mail server. After considering, installing a VIA system on the back of a moto, we came across the Nokia 770, targeted at consumers as a webpalm, but in effect is a wifi enabled, small computer which runs linux natively. We purchased a Nokia 770 for $350 which represented a significant price savings over mounting a computer and associated networking equipment to a motorcycle. Since it was an open platform running linux, our Geeks where able to put together in a couple of days a small application that did the data transfer wirelessly via UUCP.
While with our initial tests, the Nokia 770 worked flawlessly, we realized that still represented a significant cost and limited the amount of independent circuits we could support since each circuit would need their own Nokia and a mototigi trained to operate it. We had always thought that it would be ideal if each site could have their own “device” which would allow them to eventually take responsibility of the weekly data transfer themselves eliminating the need for the mototigi. Perhaps the greatest technical innovation in the project came when we realized that infact we could replace the Nokia 770 with the cheap and rugged USB key. We developed a small shell script that sits on the USB key that initiates the proper data transfer wheneverit is inserted into a machine and causes the machine to beep upon completion eliminating the need for a keyboard and screen in the process.
In our pilot we have switched entirely to the use of USB keys eliminating the need for the Nokia 770 and potentially even the mototigi. With USB keys costing as little as $10 each site can be given a USB or even two for data updates which they could foreseeably entrust to members of the community including drivers of public transport to be their data transporters.
2. I see that a Nokia tablet is being used to actually transfer data between the VIA PC’s at the CLIC’s and Kiosks. How exactly does that work? How was the Nokia selected? What were other devices considered and why rejected? What is the price? How is it working out? (The link on the page took me to the Nokia 770 tablet; I assume that’s the model you are using?
Please see above. The Nokia represents still a very interesting and attractive solution for asynchronous Internet connections. The Nokia 770 has an excellent display 800×600 and is capable (after some hackery) to have USB devices including keyboards and potentially a scanner connected to it. For this reason, if time avails, we are still considering how we can use it for a mobile eKiosk to service smaller villages on their market days.
3. What local entrepreneurs have actually been selected to run the Kiosks? I see they are strongly incented to sell services given their earnings are directly affected. That’s something you guys know how to do well!
Since this is a pilot we are trying a number of different approaches. In our first village, we picked a member from the community to operate a kiosk at the mayor’s office. As we develop the Cybertigi model and until sales increase, we are paying this woman a very small fee for operating the kiosk. In our second site, we placed a kiosk in a pharmacy. The pharmacist (one of the most educated people in her village) will help oversee the kiosk and will only make money from its operation (no additional support). At the third kiosk we have installed thus far, we are placing it with a community radio station. The radio’s staff will oversee the management of the kiosk without any extra subsidy from us. We are purposely trying different scenarios to see what works best. We are already beginning to learn that placing the kiosk with a host that could benefit from the kiosk’s services (pharmacy — access to medical information, radio — access to newsfeeds) while at the same time not being financially being dependent on revenues from the Kiosk may be the ideal situation.
4.Who/what actually transports the tablet around the circuit? I.e., who is the “mototigi”? is it someone already driving this route? It looks like the Geekcorps team actually BOUGHT the motorcycles? Amazing.
In the beginning, we have found it necessary to hire a Cybertigi consultant to serve as the mototigi and trainer for the kiosk entrepreneurs in the system. As Cybertigi matures and with the advent of the USB keys we hope to eventually limit the mototigi in favor for using public transport or members of the kiosk communities to provide the data transport. Yes, we did purchase a moto since it looked unlikely that Ikatel would. Luckily, motorcyles are relatively inexpensive in Mali thanks to the Chinese and it has actually helped us greatly from a logistic standpoint.
5.How much work on the software for the kiosks and CLIC’s had to be done to allow the transfers? What that part of the/a tender too? How much did that cost?
The LMS system did not have kiosk software built into their offerings. After doing some research we realized we could probably need to create our own kiosk software. In the end we decided to use the help of a Geek and our local staff to develop the initial kiosk software in use now. Both the software required to do the data transfers and the kiosk interface which is capable of doing email, scanning, newsfeeds and in the very near future Wikipedia, was developed primarily by Renaud and one of our local programmers over a period of about 3 months. Since Renaud had other responsibilities during his time here, it would probably be fair to estimate that he spent 2-2/12 months dedicated to this aspect of the project. Thus, we spent about $2,000 in per diem a portion of his airfare over for this part of the project.
With regards to the Geekcorps approach (see question below), we have always placed a very strong emphasis on involving local talent in our projects to promote technical skills transfer and to ensure the sustainability of our projects when we can no longer support themselves ourselves. We would have been thrilled to involve a local software firm in the development of this system. Unlike Brazil, China or India Mali’s software industry is still very much in its infancy with most firms focusing their efforts on providing web development. After already trying to outsource programming before and due to time restrictions, we felt it would be better to do it in house BUT involve heavily our local staff and stagaires. This is very same same approach we used with Moussa Keita founder of Zirasun and Cheick our skilled webmaster who now works for us as a consultant of the Zirasun team. Your point is very well taken. Just given our experience, we feel our approach of nurturing talent from within Geekcorps with the goal of eventually spinning them off as worked well for everyone involved.
Geekcorps + Zirasun article: http://mali.geekcorps.org/2006/05/25/featured-article-title/
6.Who is the owner of all this – i.e., the overall manager? Is it each CLIC? Is the CLIC association involved somehow? It looks like the Geekcorps team is managing all of the testing, roll-out, etc. What are their plans to bring along a local player to do all of this? I couldn’t tell from the blog who was local and who wasn’t. I hope Renaud is a local, is he? Doesn’t look like it… Seems he did much of the software work. I would have thought that Geekcorps would select a local company to do this and then provide a geek to help them out. That’s the essence of the Geekcorps approach.
Re: Geekcorps approach please see above.
At this point, we are trying to figure out the best way to handle the ownership, overall management of the system. Since the CLICs provide the Internet, printing and photo printing their involvement is crucial for the delivery of services. By dividing up the revenues amongst all parties involved, it is our hope to setup a system where both the kiosk entrepreneurs and CLIC will earn enough to incentive to strengthen and continue their economic partnership.
7.What were/are the LMI and other USAID funds used for? How will these be done without when the approach scales? (E.g., if USAID paid for some of the up-front purchase of the PC’s and the tablets, how will these be paid for in the future?)
The funds have been used for equipment purchasing and establishment of this pilot. It the goal of the project to prove that it is possible to provide basic ICT services to rural communities in Mali in an economically viable manner. Since it is a pilot, we are attempting to place our kiosks in different type of entrepreneurial situations (mayor’s office, pharmacy, radio station) with the hope of finding out what works best. There are many aspects of the pilot which we realize we will encounter some challenges. We are already finding out that email in rural communities with extremely low literacy rates will be a tough sale. Digital photography on the other hand has the early markings of a very popular service whose earnings could provide valuable subsidy to some of the other Cybertigi services.
At the end of the pilot, we hope to have established model for entrepreneurs to use a kiosk to generate income selling Cybertigi services. If we can achieve this, we feel have the necessary track record to begin asking local African entrepreneurs to incur financial risk of their own. It would be at that point that the selling of kiosk solutions would be appropriate.
8.How are plans progressing to move from using a tablet to a flash drive for transferring data?
Complete. We have transitioned the entire system over to USB keys.
L’UNESCO en partenariat avec Geekcorps Mali a organise le samedi 02 Septembre 2006 un atelier de formation des formateurs à l’intention des gestionnaires de CMC UNECO, HKI, OKN Jamana.
