Perpustakaan Nirkabel Project at Glance
Perpustakaan Nirkabel (Wireless Library) is a personal project that fills leisure time and hones professional skills to explore the possibilities of wireless digital technology, ranging from electronic components, operating systems, to their implementation as a small library.
As a personal hobby project, it does not involve groups, private institutions (NGOs, foundations), commercial institutions (companies), or even the government during the development process. Furthermore, such hobby projects do not have a noble or significant background like other social communities. If someone considers this project noble or otherwise, it is merely an unintended consequence.
Working Model
The devices resulting from experiments are then donated to communities in Indonesia that are still lacking in educational infrastructure, especially books. After one generation of experimentation is completed, the project will design a new generation based on technological advancements and input from recipient communities. Once completed, the experimental devices are donated back to similar communities. This is how the project operates in a cycle.
The implementation process in the field can collaborate with individuals, private institutions, or local governments. However, the project independently chooses the recipient communities. Conversely, the receiving communities are free to use the donated devices without any obligations.
The list of recipients of the project's experimental devices can be found here.
Modified for Usability
This project relies on outdated hardware to reduce experimentation costs. However, in terms of software and electronic circuitry, the project encourages pushing the usage beyond the limits set by the original manufacturers, even if it means modifying the devices for their usability.
For example, if an outdated computer/router with an obsolete factory-installed commercial operating system is obtained, the project will discard the entire factory-installed system. If there are soldering points that allow the device to adapt better to remote conditions, the circuit board will be resoldered.
Funding
The procurement of hardware is mostly funded from personal hobby budgets, so there are no financial reports published for this activity. Are there individuals who prepare financial reports for their hobbies?
However, the project is open to receiving hardware donations such as routers, old laptops/computers, antennas, smartphones, or tablets, as long as there are no strings attached. After being revitalized, these devices will be sent to selected locations with the knowledge of the donors of those devices alone.
