What Is Outernet?
Sharing Classrooms from
Space Even after just a quick glance, Outernet’s application to
education is immediately obvious: over 50% of humans do not have Internet and…
What Outernet
Broadcasts And Why We broadcast the best content on the web to the world from space
for free. See what we’ve chosen to include and how you can participate.
Welcome to the official discussion forum for Outernet: Humanity's Public Library. If you are new to
the forum, please look at the FAQ before posting questions. This forum is monitored regularly by
Outernet staff and is a place to ask questions about the project or, even
better, create discussion around various aspects of the project.EDUCATION and SKILLS IN DIGITAL AGE
Outernet
is a new way to share information. One way to visualize how Outernet works is
to think of FM radio. FM radio is a novel way to distribute audio information.
You can buy a FM radio from any brand and listen to radio without a
subscription fee. All that is required is a FM radio and that the radio be in
range of a radio tower to get free music and news. Outernet is similar: all you
need is an Outernet receiver and our signal reaches 99% of humans, so odds are
good that you are covered by Outernet data. Outernet also uses an open
standard, just like FM radio, so you don't need an "Outernet branded"
device to connect (but buying from us helps support the project). The big
difference between FM radio and Outernet is that FM radio is live while
Outernet lets you save files. So now imagine that instead of live audio, the
Outernet free signal from space is sending files that you can keep forever.
Outernet currently sends 1 GB of files per day - it's like we drop a 1 GB USB
drive from space that anyone with a receiver can catch and keep for free.
Outernet can send anything (see what we fill it with here) from music, to video, to ebooks, to software... the list goes
on. Over time, the amount of content a user has grows quite quickly - after
seven days, a user that keeps every file we send would have 7 GB of awesome
content. Users can keep or delete whatever they want. Still confused? Try this:
think of an external hard drive. Just a drive filled with stuff. Now imagine
you connect that drive to a wifi router. The drive is not connected to the
Internet, but you or anyone can connect to the drive via wifi and see what is
stored on it. If you add a file to the drive, anyone else who can connect to
the drive's wifi signal can also see that file. Again, there is no Internet
connection here, so the files are private from anyone not within the wifi
signal range. Now imagine that, everyday, new content gets added to that drive
from space for free. Everyday your drive got a bunch of songs and courseware
and games. That is what Outernet does and an Outernet receiver is essentially a
storage drive with wifi. You can add files to an Outernet receiver locally and
you get to enjoy all the content we send. We also invite anyone to help us
decide what content we send every week. Learn how you can participate here. Now that you have a basic understanding of Outernet, start
exploring our wiki and everything we are working on. Outernet is designed to be
a very public project - Humanity's Public Library - so we invite contribution
in every aspect of what we do, particularly in what content we broadcast. Outernet sites: · store.outernet.is: purchase Outernet
receivers, DIY kits, and swag · donate.outernet.is: support great Outernet
projects by third party individuals and organizations. Read how it works here. · status.outernet.is: status reports on Outernet
satellite feeds · wiki.outernet.is: this place #meta · discuss.outernet.is: our discussion forum
where you can engage Outernet staff and the Outernet community. · blog.outernet.is: the Outernet blog where
we post regular updates.
The big
picture
Outernet
Learning Projects
· Use a Raspberry Pi to build an Outernet receiver · Send
content over Outernet · Tweet a content request to Outernet · Find
content for someone's request and send it via Outernet · Install and point a satellite dish · Create a mixtape of music and share it from space · Set up a Keepod Point
Connecting
to Outernet
· Satellite dish guide · Coverage and transponder settings · Lantern · Outernet receiver DIY kit · ORxPi - Raspberry Pi receiver · Receiver firmware images · Updating Lighthouse manually · External storage on Outernet receivers
Content
on Outernet
· Adding Content · Content Rules · Content metadata specification · Packaging content · Content Requests Main Page · Discussion of Community Curation · Sponsored Content · 2015 Edit-a-thon · Community Calls
Technology
Misc
Build
your own Outernet library
Outernet
is an amazing project for anyone anywhere. If you have Internet, building an
Outernet library helps our library grow for those who don't (and you'll have
fun and learn along the way!). Here you will learn the following: 1. What you
need to connect to Outernet. 2. How to connect to Outernet. 3. What content you
will receive and how you can add content to Outernet.
What
you need to connect to Outernet
AN
OUTERNET RECEIVER
We
currently have three options for Outernet receivers. Outernet is an open source
project and our signal is unlocked, so you don't have to buy anything from
Outernet in order to connect (but it helps support our work). SATELLITE DISH
Outernet uses the same signals that satellite TV uses. This allows Outernet to
send more content compared to a small antennae. Satellite dishes are common,
even in the poorest parts of the world. OTHER COMPONENTS There are a few other
small items that you will need.
How To
Connect To Outernet
Once
you have all the necessary components, you're ready to set up your Outernet
receiver. This is Part Three of the instructions for building your own
Outernet receiver using a Raspberry Pi. If you missed the beginning, click here to go
back to Part One. If you are a Lighthouse owner or have a receiver ready, read
on.
CONNECT
TO OUTERNET
Materials
required:
·
Assembled Raspberry Pi
receiver OR Lighthouse
·
A device with wi-fi (e.g.
phone, tablet, computer)
Overview: Your
Raspberry Pi receiver should now be assembled and connected to a satellite
dish. If you have a Lighthouse, it should be connected to your satellite dish.
The instructions for a Raspberry Pi receiver and a Lighthouse are the same. We
can now check that your are receiving a strong signal from Outernet's
satellites in space and then see what content your receiver is downloaded or
has already downloaded. Steps: 1. Connect to Your Receiver's Wi-Fi
Signal 2. Setup Your Outernet Receiver 3. Verify your Outernet connection Step
1: Connect to Your Receiver's Wi-fi Signal Your Outernet receiver gives off
a wi-fi signal just like a router. Make sure your receiver is plugged into your
satellite dish and that it is turned on. Go to your Network Settings and look
through the list of nearby wireless networks. A network named
"Outernet" should be available. Connect to "Outernet" - it
will not have a password. In your browser's address bar, type "librarian.outernet"
- be sure to NOT include the .com. If you get a "500 Error," try
closing and re-opening your browser. If it is still not working, try
"librarian.outernet/en/" Once you are connected, open up any web
browser. We recommend Firefox, Chrome, or Safari but Internet Explorer works
too. Browsers can sometimes be a little confused because they are not used to
receiving information from anything besides the Internet. When it loads, the
page you find will let you select the language you want your receiver to work
in. Once you see this screen, you are confirmed to be connected to your
Outernet receiver!
CONTENT
GOALS We do not have strict rules about what content topics belong on Outernet,
but we encourage users to submit content that satisfies one of the following
principles. That said, we also enjoy funny cat videos. EDUCATION A work that
enables a user to be a more informed participant in society or aids in moving
them towards a higher plane of knowledge or skill. TRUTH A work should be true
and support the right of the public to truth. TRANSPARENCY A work should allow
a user to have greater understanding of the institutions that affect their
daily life. EMPOWERMENT A work that gives a user an enhanced ability to
manipulate the course of their life towards their intended goal. HEALTH AND
SAFETY A work that provides the information to lead a healthier, safer, and
ultimately more enjoyable life. QUALITY OF LIFE A work that either directly or
indirectly provides a means for a user to improve their quality of life. BANNED
CONTENT Outernet is a strong believer in no censorship and free speech, but as
a society we have generally agreed that free speech has limits. If your content
is not appropriate for a public library, then it probably is not appropriate
for Outernet. PRIVATE INFORMATION Sharing an individual's private and
confidential information. VIOLENT CONTENT Material that is meant to incite harm
against an individual or group or individuals. SPAM Spam. Enough said.
HARASSMENT Anything that harasses, bullies, or abuses an individual or group of
individuals - this behavior has a chilling effect on that individual or group's
freedom to speak. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY Sexual content featuring minors. ADULT
CONTENT In the interest of propagating Outernet's educational potential in
jurisdictions around the world with varying levels of conservative legal
doctrine, pornography, content promoting drug use, and other adult content is
not allowed on Outernet at this time. When it comes to this type of content or
any content that can be very offensive to some people, the values of free
speech and decency come into conflict with one another.
ARE YOU
STUCK?
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