SUPPORTING SHELTER COMMUNITIES WITH LINUX & THE CLOUD OLIVIA HUSMAN, MIKE FLIERL, AMANDA MAROLF

SUPPORTING SHELTER COMMUNITIES WITH LINUX & THE CLOUD

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http://www.sprung.com/structures/community-buildings/homeless-shelters

THE PROBLEM

• foreclosure

• eroding work conditions

• decline in public assistance

• lack of affordable housing

• poverty

• domestic violence

• mental illness

• addiction

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/12/02/record-homelessness-overwhelming-shelters/OtrsdYgUdGDFxwJbms3qzH/story.html

CURRENT SOLUTIONS

“For some who are homeless, being wired helps a person feel more accepted by society.”

http://hothardware.com/News/The-Homeless-Stay-Wired/

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/17/news/aroostook/magnet-school-students-presque-isle-business-create-computer-lab-at-homeless-shelter/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/lake_forest_lake_bluff/community/chi-ugc-photo-domiciliary-care-for-homeless-veterans-rehabi-2-2013-06-24,0,3583325.photohttp://www.projectcc.org/?cat=22

ACCESSIBLE COMPUTER LABS

HTTPS://PLAY.GOOGLE.COM/STORE/APPS/DETAILS?ID=COM.QBASE.REACH.ANDROID&HL=EN

REACH APPLICATION

VIRTUAL BACKPACK

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METHOD STEPS

1. Connecting the homeless to computer technology.

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2. Providing the users with access to the Internet. 

http://media02.hongkiat.com/social-networking-advice/share.jpg

3. Guiding the users to free, cloud-based storage.

http://cloudfreestorage.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Cloud-storage.jpg

4. Giving basic instruction on how to use computers, the Internet, and the cloud.

http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/gunnar3000/gunnar30001012/gunnar3000101200412/8509219-tutorial-or-e-learning-concept-with-key-on-computer-keyboard.jpg

DESIGN CONCERNS

Cost Security Instruction User Interface

COST

• Linux Ubuntu 12.04 LTS • Canonical Ltd.• FOSS

Open Office Mozilla Firefox VLC Player

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8sbAdfFaH4/T5rsIQ7_osI/AAAAAAAABqQ/LSRsxSxPdNw/s1600/Ubuntu-12.04-LTS-Precise-Pangolin.jpg

Goals: Reliable, long-term solutions, affordable as possible

SECURITY

Goal: Create an environment where the user feels secure using our computer

• Offline Security No executable files on flash drives Password protect root user No log in

• Online Security Wired internet connection Automatic updates Firefox Private Browsing Adblock Plus, Click Clean, Better Privacy Java disabled

INSTRUCTION

Goal: To empower the user

Video recordMyDesktop

~5 minutes in length Screencast Gifs (Byzanz)

Text Open Office docs with pictures

http://www.alwaysonpc.com/aboutOpenOffice.php

USER INTERFACE

Goal: For desktop environment to be intuitive, usable, and minimalist

Permanent launch bar with few programs Desktop icons will be instructional material With high turnover rate, needs to be usable for first time

users

ISSUES

• Limits of our design

• Ethnical Issues