BIT 120215

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Build Instructor Training 2/15/12

In attendance

Sean E, Phillip, Kurt, Stephen M, Brett, Lynnae, Nate, Jason O, Amelia, Michael, Howard, Blaine, Max, John, Gordon, Mary, Janet, Jeffrey, Tara

Facilitator: Amelia

Scribe: Lynnae

Place: Free Geek Meeting Room

Introductions

TIL share-out highlights:

  • The bell curve was named after a man named -- wait for it... -- Bell.
  • Celebrity organist Cameron Campbell makes his own performing costumes and plays Chopin with his feet.
  • Nanowales are the standard measurement of area when determining the size of Wales in cubic furlongs.

Review of last instructor training notes, July 2011

http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/BIT_110728 Build category, see "Build Instructor Trainings"

Update for the last 6 months: Addition of Laptop QC, build testing of Optical Drives, recent spec upgrades.


Miscellaneous notes on Laptop QC and Disbursement

  • Note on Laptop QCs: Builders can receive 1 build credit for 3 laptop QCs, please try to limit this to 2 build credits per builder. We can't store laptops in Build like we can store in-progress desktop systems, so builders working on in-progress laptops should not expect to save them for continued work in a later shift.
  • There is a wait list available for LCD monitors. If there are no LCDs available during disbursement, just let Amelia know if there is a builder who needs to be added to the list, or email the builder's name and date of disbursement directly to dheiber@freegeek.org.
  • Sean showed us how to read the FGSS information to determine how many completed QCs/Builds a builder has completed, and how to enter a build credit without a system ID attached. Check in with a staff member if you're not sure how to do these things.

Education

  • Teaching Modules idea brainstorming
    • How to install Linux (Kurt expressed interest in creating/leading this curriculum)
    • Other Linux flavors
    • Manual Partitioning
    • File Systems
    • File hierarchy, or differences between file systems
    • How to read information about processors (across generations and model types)
    • Introduction to user interface and customizing (Jeffrey expressed interest in creating/leading this curriculum)
    • Intro to package manager
    • Tours of Post-Build
    • Reuse and Recyling elements of Free Geek
    • Dual Booting (Michael expressed interest in creating/leading this curriculum)
    • Internet research methods
    • How to build a gaming computer
    • Intro to open vs closed source softwares
  • Amelia will commit to making a wiki page for Build Module curricula


  • Visual Appendix Ideas:
    • RAM chart
    • PATA vs SATA vs Floppy
    • Jumpering
    • How to read a multimeter
    • How to read a Mobo/typical pin outs
    • BIOS password clearing visual
  • Mary will work with Amelia to mobilize visual representations of motherboards as a starting point.
  • Amelia offered to train anyone who wishes to learn wiki editing. She also asked the instructors to talk to a Reuse staff member if they want to get set up with a wiki account.


QC and the store, Lynnae's notes:

  • Goal: To give build instructors context for systems sold from the store, and what is helpful for instructors to keep in mind.
  • Basic overview (info from database, how the outward facing store stock looks, and what we do to prep it)

Laptop Stats for 2012:

  • January: 69 sold, 35 disbursed
  • February so far: 31 sold, 7 disbursed

System Stats for 2012:

  • January: 53 sold, 107 disbursed
  • February so far: 44 sold, 65 disbursed

Hurdles in the store:

  • Consistency with a really inconsistent inventory
  • Time to process things
  • Expectations from our customer base (apple store we ain't)
  • Inconsistent QC process

Things to watch out for ("stop and fix"):

  • Loose screws
  • Dust, clogged fans
  • Poorly labeled, broken ports
  • Crooked stickers, missing system ID tags/stickers
  • Handwritten/misleading printme notes
  • Mismatched or ill-sized face plates and slot covers ("holsteins")
  • Beige anything
  • Gook and grime, sticker residue
  • Missing feet

Specific to Laptops:

  • Screen quality (flickers, lines, dead pixels, dark screen spots, etc)
  • Sticky/inconsistent/broken keys or track pad
  • Loose/missing screws
  • Inconsistent AC adapter
  • Fan/hard drive noise

If you need to take something back to laptops, see if the instructor is available first. They may be running around. If needed, write a note, and leave it on the incoming table by the box to return QC'd systems.

How to write a helpful printme note

  • If you're writing a book, it's time to stop and fix/consider rejecting the system.
  • Keep in mind this needs to be interpreted by a wide base of people.
  • References to things we do all the time are pretty unintelligible to most of the outside world.
  • No hand written notes: keep in mind these systems are under warranty, tech support needs access to anything important about these systems, the database is the primary way we keep track of these things.
  • Always note untested ports, and cover with black electrical tape.

Discussion questions/questions to keep in mind:

  • How can we keep builders engaged during QC process?
  • How can we introduce more attention to detail and learning opportunities?
  • What resources or comprehensive approaches are missing from the current QC process (do you need anything?)

Sign-offs & Disbursements

  • We didn't have time for a sign-off walk-through. Please reference the sign-off guide in the Build Instructor Guide and print out a copy if you don't feel confident in remembering all of the steps.
  • Disbursement Process:
    • Double-check build status in the database when builder starts take-home box to make sure they are eligible.
    • Discuss post-build options. Introducing advanced opportunities before the take-home system is built will help retain volunteers and add to their skills and knowledge in the process.
      • Tours of post-build areas are an easy and quick way to introduce these opportunities.
      • Reuse area chart behind the Tardis door lists levels of volunteer recruitment need by shift and floor area (especially useful for those who don't know where they want to volunteer next, or are flexible.)
    • Source USB mice and speakers from Receiving (or from the class room as long as a class is not in session)
    • LCD monitors in the warehouse on the adoption shelf, double check that they are 15-17".
    • USB/PS2 Keyboards, PS2 mice and power cords are also squirreled in the warehouse.
    • For systems requiring a DVI-to-VGA adapter, these can be sourced from the Build room or from the thrift store.

Esoterics: Weird issues and fixes: We did not have time to cover this.

Questions, shout-outs, feedback


COMMITMENTS

  1. Amelia will commit to making a wiki page for Build Module curricula.
  2. Amelia will revise printme instructions.
  3. Amelia will switch the assembly and qc checklists to include the system ID before instructor sign-off, have builder hold off from printing printme before sign-off.
  4. Amelia will make a flier for Tech Support for instructors to hand out to take-home builders.
  5. Amelia will follow up with those instructors who were interested in documentation/education projects, and support them in pursuing these.
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