Filling cracks, getting a fridge, using opensim as a design tool

I spent yesterday patching up the walls with gapfiller, and thinking about how to jazz up the place.

I also got a fridge, a 130l whirlpool bar fridge, again from gumtree, $100.

I then did a bit of research online into 'cool' office designs, looking at companies like Google, Lego, and below, Red Bull, which I quite liked.

I then decided to mock the room up in Opensim so I could play with the color scheme and arrangement of the office without breaking my back.

Here are some images so far.

The side of these walls is supposed to be hessian with some kind of lining underneath(like the left wall in the red bull pic), I checked hessian at Bunnings and it's around $5 per metre(1.8m wide) which seems affordable.

Some more images

The room as it looks today....a bit of a mess! There are still some massive changes to happen, including paint, shelves, and new blinds(these ones are just up for security).

A workstation. This one features a Samsung Laptop from our previous project(Connected Lives), Logitech Alto keyboard stand and keyboard($98), Logitech mouse from previous project, Mouse pad($2), Screen platforms(black tubs, $2) and new 23 inch LG monitors ($175).

My projector collection which may or may not remain as part of the decor.

Project update

Current Thoughts

One of the issues that has required a lot of thought is what do we need in the room, and what don't we need.

For example, we have pretty much decided that the massive whiteboards we got hold of are useless. They are the past - we want the future, which is most likely something like lcd screens above each pair of pcs which allow the students to share their work with the group whenever they choose.

Likewise I had always planned to have a bunch of books(technology, fantasy, science fiction) for the kids to read and borrow. Whilst some of the young people will probably enjoy these, there is the possibility that for others they will be too old fashioned, and that a more suitable form of media might be a, ebook and games library, possibly entirely online.

Thinking about these issues has made it more clear that what we are looking to provide is very high speed internet, on high spec pcs, with top notch software(best windows, games, ebook accounts) and hardware (like mobile phones to keep in touch in between, lcd tvs and share drives to share work). This will give students access to an incredible range of online resources.

The key at the moment seems to be access.

I have called Telstra about getting a new phone line in for internet, it's $129 for installation which actually seems quite reasonable. I am hoping one line is enough, it might be better to have two, both with NakedADSL Connections.

The Name

I came up with the idea of A+(inspired by another Vichealth project) which Stefan likes, possibly in the form 'The A+ Club.' I am not so sure about the word club, and have sent the name to a couple of young people I work with to get their advice. One young man in particular I am hoping can advise us throughout this process, and another younger boy I work with shall be visiting the site soon to give us his (always) objective opinion. It would be great to have the young people involved somehow direct what was purchased for the space.

Good News

It seems like we lucked out a bit with our timing for this project, with our team at VU(headed by Stefan) being a small part of a successful CRC bid by the Inspire Foundation. This has opened up a wide range of new possibilities which we are keen to explore in the new year. In particular we are hoping to get help with the diagnosis and referral of the young people, which is an area we have no expertise in at all. Another area we require assistance with is probably research.

Stefan has also drafted a couple of well written emails explaining what we are aiming to do to all of his connections, and there seems to be a lot of interest.

Whilst it's easy to rent a space and fill it up with desks, chairs and computers, the other side of it at the moment seems to be keeping the level of interest and awareness of what we are doing up within the right circles, something which Stefan is great at.

Purchasing Equipment

We have purchased the following equipment so far;

4 X 23" LG Monitors - msy.com.au - $175 each - $700

4 X Logitech Alto Keyboards/Risers/Hubs - dicksmith.com.au - $100 each - $400

4 X Mousepad - discount store - $8

Water filter/cooler - kmart.com.au - $49 (has already been worth it after one week)

Kettle - kmart.com.au - $12

Fan - kmart.com.au - $12

Security System (I won't list the details here) - $200

Venetian Blinds - Rubbish Collection - FREE(Not so flash but good for security at the moment)

Powerboards and cords - kmart.com.au - $80

Odds and ends -approx $250

From home

Microwave

Printer

Office equipment, stationery

Security camera

Midi Keyboard, video camera with tripod, other electrical goods

Assorted Projectors (for decor, not sure if they suit yet or not)

Books

Clean!

Current thoughts and items to hunt down include;

- Whether we need whiteboards or not, they seem pretty useless, we need lcds where the kids can share their work.

- Mounting the shelves on the walls either side somehow.

- Painting the steel cupboard and cabinet, perhaps dark red and dark orange, they look pretty drab at the moment.

- Blinds.

- Decals or paint for the walls. I like these ones.

- Rugs/carpet.

- Lots and lots of tech gear, lcds, monitors, laptop stands, keyboards, mice, network gear, power gear, and more I can't think of at the moment.

- Lamps(ideally one per table, so 6 at least).

- More decor - it's all still a bit boring.

- Security system.

- Kettle, mugs, cups, tea, coffee, water.

- Bar fridge.

- Stud finder and brackets.

- Internet.

Furnishing

We then set about trying to get our hands on some cheap furniture.

I found the chairs below on gumtree.com.au. It was initially 11 conference chairs for $110($10 each) but when we met them and told them what it was for they offered us a few meeting chairs as well. All up we got 15 chairs for $100. Stefan and Craig helped pick them up and lug them upstairs(not an insignificant task, they were heavy).

I was feeling pretty awesome about that, when Stefan called and told me that Leonie at WERC had spoken to people at VU and there was the possibility of getting some free furniture from the VU furniture store.

I visited the store the following week, which was a massive old house on Geelong Road. Each room was stacked with the remnants of past uni offices, chairs, desks, cabinets, cupboards, shelves, almost everything we needed furniture wise.

We put in a big order the following week, and that Friday it all got delivered. The delivery took 5 guys and a whole lot of stuffing around due to our location, which is on a very busy corner.

I bought them beer as it seemed like the most helpful thing I could do late on a Friday afternoon(I am pretty weak).

So at the end of the week(the fourth since we decided to go for it) we had the following;

11 X conference chairs

4 X meeting chairs

3 X shelves/bookcases

1 X small buffet

2 X large whiteboards

1 X large grey steel cupboard

3 X drafting tables

1 X newer drafting table(different type)

3 X timber meeting tables

1 X small(2 door) filing cabinet

Total cost - $100 for the chairs, plus delivery charges for the rest(approx $300?) - so maybe $400 all up.

We have also spent a bit of money on incidentals;

- Cleaning and deodorising products - $20

- Vacuum cleaner - $49

- Tools (allen keys, screws, screwdriver, hooks, brackets) - $20

- Fan - $12

- 4 Bins - $10

A vacuum today has improved the room marginally, but we might need to consider some rugs.

The location

We took a very advanced approach to finding a suitable location, we walked around knocking on doors asking anybody who would talk to us if they knew of any cheap and suitable locations.

I then came across an ad in a window for studio space in the Trocadero Artspace. After getting in contact we learnt that the guy in charge, Michael Brennan, also works for Footscray Community Arts, who have just formed a partnership with Victoria University.

I met with Michael the following week and he showed us a space which he had planned to split into three seperate artist studios. The rent is $210 per week. My business(Oztron) will pay this until we are able to get some funding.

The space is around 6m X 8m, with nice natural light from windows looking out onto Leeds St, one of the main drags in Footscray. It's upstairs and located behind the art gallery.

We were initially looking for a shopfront, more in the style of 826 Valencia, however there are several benefits to this space.

- We don't have to make a shop or 'front' for the learning space.

- The gallery has a great atmosphere and is a nice way for the kids to be welcomed. The art in the gallery is quite different and I think it might help the kids feel more comfortable about whatever they are into.

- It's upstairs, and wont get any walk-ins, which we don't need, and would probably just be a bit of a pain for us when we are working during the day. All of our kids will come through agencies.

Below is a rough floor plan for the office.

A few key ideas in the design;

- Everybody has the same space and equipment to work with. There is no teachers chair or single focal point.

- LCD screens on the walls enable students to share their work with others.

- The parents have a small area to the side where they can sit and wait for their children. This will double as a meeting area for us.

Stefan sends an email out to some of our colleagues

Here is an email Stefan sent to several colleagues regarding our ideas.

I’m emailing to let you know about an idea that Dale and I are pursuing that has arisen from our Connected Lives project, and wanted to get your feedback and thoughts. I’m copying a blurb that I’ve been sending to a few people about the project, as follows.

Our proposed project is to set up a drop-in centre in Footscray for young people with AspergersSyndrome, especially those from other cultures. This centre would be modelled on the Dave Eggers ‘826 Valencia’ project (http://www.826valencia.org/, or here for the TED video:http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html ). We would like to establish a centre close to transport and readily identifiable where:

· Dale’s technology company Oztron can be based – this company does web and virtual world development

· Young people with Aspergers can drop in at specified times to do projects, meet each other and learn technology and media skills from Dale and other Oztron volunteers

· We create something relevant and interesting at the front of the premises, possibly a computer museum

· Teaching students from VU can undertake work experience

· We provide paths to advocacy for young people with Aspergers

There is a huge demand for this , particularly in the West of Melbourne (see:http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/autistic-students-in-west-miss-out-20101026-172dx.html). As you know, we have found through our work (and something that has been well documented in the literature) that:

· many young people with Aspergers gravitate to technology;

· structured online environments allow these young people to develop their social skills in a mediated way

We have also found in our work that:

· one-on-one mentoring seems to work particularly well with these young people, especially with mentors who are highly technically adept

· the chance to meet others with Aspergers has made a huge difference to their lives – isolation is a big factor

· young people with Aspergers from ethnic backgrounds are particularly disadvantaged because their parents often do not know how to negotiate the complex government, education and health conditions that accompany this disability

· the problem is severe. These young people are truly ‘fish out of water’, and half of the young people with Aspergers we’ve worked with have attempted suicide in the past. Despite the funding they are given, schools often have trouble knowing what to do with these young people, and they end up being shunted inappropriately into classes with kids with other kinds of disabilities, including those who are low-functioning

We already possess most of the elements needed to make such a drop in centre happen, including:

· a bank of laptops, Telstra-supported wireless broadband accounts, digital video cameras and other gear

· support from the VU School of Education, who are willing to provide pre-service teachers on work experience

· the computers to create a computer museum.

All we really need to sort out is the space and a small amount of coordination, which we’re currently working on. Oztron is also willing to contribute to any rental expenses. Based on the 826 Valencia project, the space will need to be out of the usual institutional environments for kids to feel comfortable in going, and will need to be close to public transport, as we expect many disadvantaged young people from other areas to also attend.

Be interested to hear thoughts you may have.

Regards,

Stefan

The initial plan

Background

In 2009 and 2010 the Connected Lives Project investigated how technologies such as virtual worlds, the Internet and free software (video and image processing, comic making etc) impacts on the social connectedness and well-being of young Victorians living with multiple layers of disadvantage, particularly disability and geographical, cultural and socio-economic factors.

Throughout this period we discovered what people with Asperger's and their famillies already know - there are very few resources available for this community group.

During our program we had success in two ways;

- Firstly by bringing the young people together, and simple allowing them to meet others with similar minds and interests.

- Secondly by giving the young people access to technologies such as computers, internet access and video cameras, we allowed them to explore their own (often intense) interests and communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence.

The Rough Plan

The idea behind the Asperger's project is to provide a real world location particularly designed for young people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Current plans include the following;

- two or three free after school sessions, from 3.30pm-6.00pm on weekdays

- computers, internet access, and other associated technologies such as video cameras

- an embedded technology company sharing the space who will assist with students and act as mentors

- a shared 'virtual space' which would enable other youth with Asperger's from around the country or world to virtually attend sessions and collaborate on projects. This space would be developed by the kids themself.

- volunteer students from schools like MGS

- volunteer teachers from schools like VU

- a parent support officer on hand to counsel and support the parents

The Location

We are currently scouting locations which would suit the project.

The following is our wish list;

- In Footscray, within walking distance of the station

- A shop front in the style of 826 Valencia - http://www.826valencia.org/