Difference between revisions of "Build"

Latest revision as of 16:54, 18 July 2014

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Building computers for people is a great way to learn. The build program is a structured way for volunteers to contribute to the cause and learn about hardware and basic troubleshooting and Linux skills. Builders can also earn a computer, but the time commitment is significant and the computer is the same as that earned in the Adoption Program.

Prebuild steps

We don't require any prior knowledge for people to join the build program. The steps that precede the build workshops are called, collectively, the "prebuild steps," and teach very basic material that will be needed for people to make their way in the build workshops. Several of these steps can be bypassed by people who know the material already; see Testing Out.

Build workshops

The build workshops are the heart of the build program. They run twice a day on most days that we're open, and though there are teachers (and often assistants) for each one, they are largely peer-taught. In most of the workshops, the builders will range from beginners to experienced builders.

QC

The first thing builders do in a build workshop is to quality control computers built by other builders. They use several Free Geek specific scripts and follow a checklist.

Educational goals: Learning to use scripts and other utilities, basic troubleshooting, seeing the pitfalls others fall into.
Material goals: Make sure the FreekBox, Grantbox, and Store desktops are ready to go out the door.

Assembly

This is where participants actually build (put together) computers and update the software.

Educational goals: More in-depth hardware knowledge, use of configuration tools.
Material goals: Um, we need computers! Reuse is our mission.

Laptop QC

Desktop builders can help out their mobile brethren by running laptops through quality control and diagnostics. There is a lot of overlap with desktop QCs as well as some quirks specific to laptops.

Educational goals: Learning to use scripts and other utilities, basic troubleshooting, and an introduction to laptop hardware.
Material goals: Make sure laptops are ready to be disbursed and sold!

Pages related to build

Post-Build
Build tips - Lessons learned the hard way
Build Instructor Guide - A guide for volunteer Build Instructors
Build Instructor Database Guide - How to sign off on QCs & Assemblies using the FGDB

Troubleshooting Guides

Build Troubleshooting Guide
- POST
- BIOS
- Hard Drive
- Optical Drives
- Audio
- Video
- Miscellaneous

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Building computers for people is a fun way to learn stuff. The build program is a structured way for volunteers to contribute to the cause and learn about hardware and basic troubleshooting and Linux skills. Builders can also earn a computer, but the time commitment is significant and the computer is the same as that earned in the [[adoption program]].
+{{migrated}}
+[https://docs.google.com/document/d/184yCb_yuib6e9vjFrVfwJGiN1NVL5MXovq86mqrlFLA/edit?usp=sharing Link]
-==[[Prebuild]] steps==
+__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__
-We don't require any prior knowledge for people to join the build program. The steps that precede the build workshops are called, collectively, the "prebuild steps," and teach very basic material that will be needed for people to make their way in the build workshops. Several of these steps can be bypassed by people who know the material already; they can ask to be "tested out."
+Building computers for people is a great way to learn. The build program is a structured way for volunteers to contribute to the cause and learn about hardware and basic troubleshooting and Linux skills. Builders can also earn a computer, but the time commitment is significant and the computer is the same as that earned in the [[Adoption Program]].
+{|cellspacing="1px" style="background-color:#f8fcff"
-===[[Card sorting]]===
+| width="70%" style="border: 1px solid #6688AA; background-color:#FFFFFF; padding:1em;" valign="top"|
-* ''Educational goals:'' Card sorting will familiarize the participant with terminology we will expect them to know, components in general, and the main characteristics of cards. We also want to encourage careful observation of the parts.
-* ''Material goals:'' Sorted cards can be processed (either in testing or recycling) much more quickly.
-* ''Teacher:'' Volunteers who have already done this task should be able to teach it. Also, the staff person who is acting as [[reuse coordinator]] will teach this.
-* ''Test out:'' This step can be tested out of through a card identification quiz.
-===[[Motherboard sorting]]===
+==[[Prebuild]] steps==
-* ''Educational goals:'' Much like card sorting, except particpants learn about the main characteristics of motherboards. They're also introduced to the flowcharts that we use in other parts of the build program.
+We don't require any prior knowledge for people to join the build program. The steps that precede the build workshops are called, collectively, the "prebuild steps," and teach very basic material that will be needed for people to make their way in the build workshops. Several of these steps can be bypassed by people who know the material already; see [[Testing Out]].
-* ''Material goals:'' This is primarily educational.
-* ''Teacher:'' Volunteers who have already done this task should be able to teach it. Also, the staff person who is acting as [[reuse coordinator]] will teach this.
-* ''Test out:'' This step can be tested out of through a motherboard-knowledge quiz.
-===[[System Evaluation]] ([[Eval 1]])===
-* ''Educational goals:'' This task requires using documentation, using the flowcharts, learning the importance of labelling and tally sheets. It provides (for many) first contact with complete systems, tool and case structure. It's also an example of the peer-taught method of learning.
-* ''Material goals:'' This task entails doing a preliminary cull of definite "recycle" systems and salvaging ("mining") parts to be tested.
-* ''Teacher:'' Participants are encouraged to rely on the documentation and each other to figure out the processes. There is also a group of evaluation overlords who can instruct, check work, and test participants who are ready to move on. Also, the staff person who is acting as [[reuse coordinator]] will teach this.
-* ''Test out:'' This step is required; builders can't skip it.
-===System evaluation ([[eval 2]])===
-* ''Educational goals:'' The main skill used in eval 2 is troubleshooting. Participants get exposure to a turned-on system and learn about POST, processors and RAM, and the BIOS. Reading documentation is also stressed.
-* ''Material goals:'' Eval 2 eliminates obsolete systems from the stream and ensures that systems we store are labeled and filed properly.
-* ''Teacher:'' Participants are encouraged to rely on the documentation and each other to figure out the processes. There is also a group of evaluation overlords who can instruct, check work, and test participants who are ready to move on. Also, the staff person who is acting as [[reuse coordinator]] will teach this.
-* ''Test out:'' This step is required; builders can't skip it.
-===[[Basic linux command line for builders]]===
-* ''Educational goals:'' A very basic familiarity with the concept and grammar of the command line and a few simple commands.
-* ''Material goals:'' This is entirely educational.
-* ''Teacher:'' This is a [[classes|class]] taught by volunteer and staff teachers.
-* ''Test out:'' Demonstrate basic practical familiarity with the Linux (or Unix) command line.
 ==Build workshops==
-The build workshops are the heart of the build program. They run almost every day we're open, and though there are teachers (and often assistants) for each one, are largely peer-taught. There will be a range of extreme beginners to experienced builders in each workshop.
+The build workshops are the heart of the build program. They run twice a day on most days that we're open, and though there are teachers (and often assistants) for each one, they are largely peer-taught. In most of the workshops, the builders will range from beginners to experienced builders.
-===QC===
+;[[QC checklist|QC]]
-The first thing builders do in a build workshop is to quality contol computers built by other builders. They use several free geek specific scripts and follow a checklist.
+The first thing builders do in a build workshop is to quality control computers built by other builders. They use several Free Geek specific scripts and follow a checklist.
 * ''Educational goals:'' Learning to use scripts and other utilities, basic troubleshooting, seeing the pitfalls others fall into.
-* ''Material goals:'' Make sure the [[Freekbox]]en, [[Grantbox]]en, and [[Storebox]]en are ready to go out the door!
+* ''Material goals:'' Make sure the FreekBox, [[Grantbox]], and Store desktops are ready to go out the door.
-===Assembly and software===
+;[[Assembly checklist|Assembly]]
-More troubleshooting! This is where participants are actually building (putting together) computers and installing the software.
+This is where participants actually build (put together) computers and update the software.
 * ''Educational goals:'' More in-depth hardware knowledge, use of configuration tools.
 * ''Material goals:'' Um, we need computers! Reuse is our mission.
-==="Graduating" from build===
+;[[Laptop_QC_Checklist|Laptop QC]]
-A builder who has completed six computers may bring one home (one per person per year, kids). There's also a certificate we want to give out to these 'graduates' but we aren't super-good at tracking it!
+Desktop builders can help out their mobile brethren by running laptops through quality control and diagnostics.  There is a lot of overlap with desktop QCs as well as some quirks specific to laptops.
+* ''Educational goals:'' Learning to use scripts and other utilities, basic troubleshooting, and an introduction to laptop hardware.
-===Build assistants and instructors===
+* ''Material goals:'' Make sure laptops are ready to be disbursed and sold!
-Builders who seem to really 'get it,' enjoy participating, and answer more questions than they ask may be invited by the build instructor to become a build assistant. Build assistants are expected to try extra hard to help their neighbors and pick up abandoned machines. They can also sign up for build workshops in assistant slots when the workshop is otherwise fully booked.
-Those who really enjoy teaching and want to help out a lot may go on to be build instructors, at which point they have earned the undying love of their peers and may start to develop a halolike glow and a fan club.
-===Advanced testing===
+|width="30%" align="left" style="border: 1px solid #6688AA; background-color:#efefef;padding:1em;" valign="top" |
-Builders who want to play with hardware more than they want to work with people may elect to do advanced testing in place of some of their six builds. This would involve motherboard testing, modem testing, and other similar testing, which is often not all that well documented.
-=="Advanced Linux" classes==
+== Pages related to build ==
-One of the benefits of being a builder is eligability to attend the (sporadically-held) "advanced linux" classes that go into some of the more technical aspects of using the operating system.
+*[[Post-Build]]
+*[[Build tips]] - Lessons learned the hard way
+*[[Build Instructor Guide]] - A guide for volunteer Build Instructors
+*[[Build Instructor Database Guide]] - How to sign off on QCs & Assemblies using the FGDB
-==Laptop program==
-Because of the limited nature of the laptop program, the laptop repair classes are open only to build instructors.
-==Related links==
+== Troubleshooting Guides ==
-*[[Aaron's PCI Modem comments]]
+*[[Build Troubleshooting Guide]]
-*[http://freegeek.org/staffsched Staff schedule]: who's on reuse 2? who's the build instructor?
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: POST|POST]]
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: BIOS|BIOS]]
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: Hard Drive|Hard Drive]]
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: Optical Drives|Optical Drives]]
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: Audio|Audio]]
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: Video|Video]]
+**[[Troubleshooting in Build: Miscellaneous|Miscellaneous]]
+|}
 [[Category:Structure]]
 [[Category:Programs]]
+[[Category:Build]]