=== www.linuxastronomy.org ===

What is the scope of this project ?
The scope of this project is the building of a telescope system, capable of being accessed over the internet with the use of a web browser, by a remote user. This system will use open source software.
The work will be done by a group of volunteers, which include adults coaching some teenagers, going through some rough time.
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What is this project about ?
This project is about showing what can be done using open source software linked to custom hardware, by providing a Web-based interface for a telescope.
It is mainly addressed to anyone interested in scientific applications running on Linux.
It will also help to keep kids out of the streets by encouraging their participation. It will hopefuly teach them something positive.
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How do we plan to accomplish it ?
By splitting upfront the majors tasks into smaller ones and have volunteers sign-up to work on each task. This is assuming we will have enough people interested to volunteer some of their time. The project will appeal to more Volunteers, if the work load is reduced to a manageable size, for each of us.
The software collaboration, will most likely be easier than the hardware collaboration.
The software tasks can be completely distributed while the hardware work will probably be done by people living in the same area, willing to travel, or ready to ship some components.
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Why are we doing it and who care about it ?
The scoop of this project seems quiet wide as it is now, meanwhile, it will get more focussed as we move on. It will be partially guided by the involvement and skills of the volunteers.
This project will hopefully help to keep a few kids out of the street, as well as some people involved in the industry, that have to solve some similar problems. The industry is especially interested to see how it works in open source... They are eager to see how it can be done...
While preparing the project, some inquiries already came from middle schools, high schools and some universities also expressed their interest.
A few companies already asked a few questions.
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How do you plan to communicate ?
The main communication media, will be a web-based forum available on this site. E-mail will also be used. A mailing list "announce" type, might be used, nevertheless, we would like to avoid the syndrome of "one more mailing list".
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How will you keep the volunteers focussed on the project ?
This is an open source project, people volunteering their time, are free to get in and out of the project, any time they wish.
As expected, a basic commitment will help, everybody. Usually the further the project moves on, the more the interest grows, but the harder it may get to find out those last bugs, or the last fine tuning on the hardware. This could trigger like a fever, to make it happen, or a lassitude, which may slow down everything. I am confident, the project is not that hard, and really fascinating, we will succeed.
The project has some unknown elements, meanwhile the forum will be an incredible tool to discuss issues and find solutions!
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Who are the people working on it ?
People like you and me. Check the Volunteers page for more information.
As time goes on, volunteers will post a personal page.
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Do any of you have some background in open source projects ?
Most of the volunteers, members or people interested by the project, are currently working every day using some open source applications, a few of them developing some neat tools based on open source.
In the past, I worked on several of them. Among them, worked on "Net Day 96" with another volunteer. I was Co-Founder of "Linux Demo Day". The project received a world wide audience based on the 5 continents, it was in 1999.
Later I got involved on several smaller projects.
On a professional level, co-started U.S. operation, for a linux distribution.
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What are the steps and milestones ?
The steps are interlaced between hardware, software and web site update work. Sometimes the hardware is needed to test the software, in some steps the reverse is also true.
The major steps are the following:
- Get web site up and running reliably.
- Work and complete telescope design.
- Collect information, organize work for hardware and software, begin to get components.
- Setup an encoder on an existing Telescope and test the software on it.
- Start work on a bigger telescope (12 to 18 inches, about 30 to 45 cm).
- Build tracking, test software on it.
- Install camera, Test server software.
- Setup telescope with tracking of one object only.
- Improve software for remote tracking, complete hardware and fine tune it.
- Setup all of this on the bigger telescope, that by now, should be close to be ready for testing.
- Complete work on bigger telescope.
- Prepare planned dark sky site for receiving the equipment, install equipment.

Depending the volunteers resources we get, we will complete the project by setting up the hardware on the bigger telescope.
This telescope can be made in synchronization with the rest of the project. The bigger telescope will be a work in parallel, which may be ready around the same time as the rest, or later depending the volunteers resources we will have.
It might be needed to add another phase of the project to complete the bigger telescope.
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How will you cover the financial cost ?
As this project include some hardware, we can expect some expenses. Especially if we make a telescope that need a mirror in the 16 - 18 inches range.
Up to now, I covered all the costs, But, I started inquiring about possible financial help.
One promising source of funds seems to be sponsorship. Nevertheless, we are open to others means.
As mentioned on the main page, if you have a mirror laying around unused, or used as a coffee table, I am willing to cut a nice piece of wood, to trade it with you. ;-)
If you are willing to support us, simply get in touch with us. Information on how to Join us is at the bottom of this page
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Are you a non-profit / not for profit organization (501 status) ?
We do not have any of these status yet, and did not plan to get one. We are curently too small and too new to worry about legal matters.
This question does come up occasionally and this is the reason I mention it here.
Meanwhile, if you are willing to help us to get one, We are open.
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What kind of financial / material help do you need ?
For tax reasons, we prefer material than financial help.
We are in need of encoders, motors for tracking, worm drives, reduction gears, optical components, wood, aluminium, paint, screws, etc.
We would definitely appreciate some available time on a mill and lathe, distance permitting. If you have one, laying next to the dog house, collecting dust, we can help too. ;-)
Covering of travel or shipping expenses would also be greatly appreciated.
A good internet connection is a must, or a place to setup or server. You could also mirror us, in case our server gets overloaded or goes down.
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What kind of volunteer skills do you need ?
Software development will require programers skills. Programers familiar with I/O interfaces are welcome.
Some database interaction knowledge will also be appreciated.
Programers with User interface experience are also welcome.
Probably some other fields, that I can't think of right now.

Hardware development is more critical, for geographic reason and the tools needed. If you are good at mirror grinding, you have a place with us. If you have some wood work, mechanic, optic, electronic, knowledge or background, you are welcome!
If you have some proof reading skills, you have a place to correct the pages of this site.
Probably some more, that I do not think of at this time.
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What are the sponsorships requirements ?
As of now, sponsorship levels are not clearly defined. For basic level, we can start with a mention in a sponsor page.
Depending the level of partnership, we will travel with the company to present our project.
We are open to other forms as long as we are still able to accomplish our work in a non-intrusive way.
Our time can not be owned by a sponsor, neither the project deliverables themselves.
We will accept help from deemed to be reputable source only.
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How will you include kids / teenagers in the project ?
Some of us, take care of kids with goal to help them through their tough life, like kids that have some difficulties, or no real family.
By including them into the project, they will not only get attention, but also a chance to interact with some nice people and a chance to learn how to use some tools and gain some skills.
It can be as simple as using a drill, or a saw, but it will help them to build confidence.
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Will it be possible to reproduce the project work, to accomplish a similar goal ?
Absolutely. On this web site (linuxastronomy.org), there will be enough details to allow a teacher, for example, to realize this project.
If any details are missing, simply send us a message and we will help you out. If the information requested is judged useful for others, we will add it on the site.
Schools are especially invited to ask questions, better yet, to take the plunge. We will stand behind them, with their questions. We might suggest a simpler approach to start, then if the interest is still their, we will help them with a more elaborate approach.
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Can our school participate ?
Absolutely, as already mentioned, schools are welcome to participate
Send us a message. let us know your level of interest.
Read the others questions, more than one relate to this subject.
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Where will the telescope and camera server go, at project completion ?
Up to now, the equipment is at my place, as I started and paid everything for it.
At project completion, the telescope, camera, server for it, including all the hardware needed to run it, will be moved to a dark sky location, not known to us yet. It might be donated to a school or non-profit / not for profit organization, that has a dark sky location.
We are open to any good location propositions.
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What will a remote user be able to accomplish upon project completion ?
Step one, observe what ever the telescope is willing to show.
Step two, Users should be able to aim the telescope from any internet browser, from almost any location, it should work.
Users will have the possibility to observe from a dark sky location, which less and less people have the privilege to do these days.
They will be able to aim it at any object visible, weather, season and time of observation permitting it.
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