Any thoughts on a SketchUcation Members ????

Mike Lucey · 25 Oct 2008, 17:10

Hi Guys,

The ???? are there because I am not sure of the best word to
use for what I want to say.

The thought that we, as a group could do some good around the
World via OUR forum has been at the back of my mind for quite
some time.

I have no idea what good we could do but feel there may be
some here that are like minded that would be willing to spare
an couple of hours a week.

I would love to hear any suggestions that are out there. Please
bring them on and lets talk about doing something.

Mike

remus · 25 Oct 2008, 17:15

Perhaps some free architectural work for a suitable charity? i suppose the problem with this, though, is that it would be very easy for a few forum members to get very heavily involved with it and end up spending a disproportionate amount of their time on it.

Whatever happens, id love to get involved with a big project between everyone.

JuanV.Soler · 25 Oct 2008, 17:36

Yes remus, good idea, free architectural work for a suitable charity.
We could get in touch with associations and offer us to them.
Nice shot Mike.

Chris Fullmer · 25 Oct 2008, 17:57

We could team up with Cameron Sinclair of architecture for humanity, like Google did at Basecamp, and see if he has another project we could host a competition for. Might not really even require any real big prizes or anything. Or maybe Google could offer a free pro license or something tot he winner. Anyhow, architecture for humanity contest is a thought,

Chris

mateo soletic · 25 Oct 2008, 19:25

Great idea Mike.
Another idea would be to offer some kind of on line education , seminars to children from some parts of the world that are not fortunate to regulary go to school.

solo · 25 Oct 2008, 19:42

I like Mateo's thinking.

The way I see it is that this community consists of many very diverse fields, architecture is one of many skills available here.
Sketchup is 3D for the people and if we can somehow get involved in helping kids get fluent with this medium we would have achieved something great.

Not only are kids a great idea for the educational reasons but inspiring them to be creative, getting them off the streets, getting SU exposed to the next generation.

Ideally I would like to concentrate on the less fortunate kids first. Maybe we can get a program going of donating our old machines with SU free preloaded.
There would need to be some sort of organization mechanism as to how it will all work, but the idea is fantastic and I for one will be very interested in investing my time and old machines to such a project.

Mike Lucey · 25 Oct 2008, 21:23

Wow, thanks guys! I thought most of you would be enjoying their
weekend breaks. It looks like we have a small team already! After
reading YOUR posts and thoughts I can see a Plan Of Action right
away!

Remus and Juan, I was thinking along the lines of Arch / Eng work
for charities. However I see problems, not being available to
visit sites / buildings / planning authorities etc. So probably
best suited to localised professionals but maybe contacting the
various associations for help / advise /promotion would be worth
investigating.

Chris' suggestion about contacting Cameron Sinclair for advise is
definitely an option as he does excellent work. I was very impressed
with his presentation at 3D Base Camp, Mountain View, CA. This is
something that could be checked out and maybe combined with ....

Mateo and Pete's suggestion about free On-Line SketchUp training
for young under privileged kids around the World. I have no concrete
ideas on how this could be progressed but I do know that we would
get a great kick out of doing it. We would benefit as much from
the experience as the kids we end up giving a 'leg Up' the ladder!

When I come to think about this suggestion a little more I now realise
that we DO have a starting point RIGHT HERE on the Site, The New Junior
SketchUp Forum! The more I think about it the more this just might work.
Imagine a Junior Forum with kids from both under privileged and well
off backgrounds around the World learning SketchUp skills and getting
to know about each other's cultures. Now I'm probably rambling on a
bit, but the picture did just pop into my head!

As regards the laptops! I am sure we should be able the squeeze some
Laptop funding from Google. Hey! Any Google Guys reading this please
jump in.

I was motivated to start this topic after watching Neil Turok and
Dave Egger, two of the TED Prize winners, both with a great sense of
humour. They are well worth watching, it will only take you 30 minutes
or so. And the best thing about these guys is that, not only do they
'Talk the Talk' they 'Walk the Walk!

Please watch Dave and Neil's presentations here, http://www.tedprize.org/#
I guarantee you will be inspired to jump in and get something off
the ground

Mike

toxicvoxel · 26 Oct 2008, 11:26

Mike,
This is a big idea with fantastic potential.

One thing I can say is that if the forum members wish to contribute to community construction projects it will have to be tackled it in an organised and professional manner. The initiative will lose credibility very quickly if we cannot follow through on a commitment. Ideally one should set up some sort of charter that will form the basis for individual members to commit their time. If individual members are really serious about contributing in this way I do not think that it is unreasonable that there is some contractual basis on which they get involved, otherwise it will be very difficult to reliably manage resources in order to bring a project to completion.

Maybe a starting point would be to have members submit an expression of interrest in a standard format stating their availability, skills & experience. This can be used to develop a database of resources which can be used to identify 'virtual project teams' for individual projects.Suitable candidates for team leaders, design and tecnical functions can then also be identified.

Some thought needs to be given to the practicallity of being involved on all stages and issues relating to liability.

(Just some ideas to keep the pot boiling...)
.

Mike Lucey · 26 Oct 2008, 13:46

Thanks Tox (I'm sorry I don't know your first name),

Your suggestions are very good and this is the kind of thinking
we need at this point in time for something like this to take
off. The Dave Egger model is what I think you are talking about
whereby he recruited a number of teachers to 'sign up' for 'time
giving', even a couple of hours a year! I think for this idea to
work we need to start off small, maybe just a half dozen guys
that are willing to form a group (I hate using the word committee!)
and take it from there.

After watching Neil Turok's presentation and seeing the HUGE
problems that Africa is facing and will continue to face in the
future I thought that this would be an area on which to focus.

I have another reason for thinking this way also. Here in Ireland
we have a great guy called Niall Mellon, he started an organisation
called the Irish Township (http://www.irishtownship.com/htm/about.htm )
that has built over 5000 homes for the poor of South Africa. Two
years ago I sponsored a friend (Builder), John Melican to go and
help out for the Build Week and he told me afterwards that it was
the best week he ever had. The thought of doing something like
this has stuck in my mind since.

Maybe we as professionals, could join forces and get involved in
some follow up project that could help the kids of these families
that now have houses. Imagine!, a small computer lab in the middle
of these new erected houses that the kids can come to and learn
computer design skills! I think we could do something like this
if we put our minds to it.

The reason I am mentioning The Irish Township project is because
it is always much quicker to build on something that is already
there! If anyone has other ideas PLEASE shoot them out. I understand
that people here are very busy and have enough to do in their
everyday lives but if you saw John Melican's face as he was telling
me all about this Build Week you would actually be jealous of him
and want to have a similar experience.

Mike

Marian · 26 Oct 2008, 14:23

A really nice idea Mike, this would be awesome if it will get off the ground.
Now that the warehouse has sharing capabilities, forming teams of collaborators for distinct projects could be possible, all coordonated by a specialist who has experience but little spare time, and could manage and guide one or two teams.
I think there are a lot of stundents and kids around this site, we have more free hours but less experience in architecture or any other form of real design, so we could potentially learn something from the masters, also this could be a way of teaching those poor kids something about modelling.
My suggestion would be to start with small projects and build on them (i know, it's commonsensical stuff)
Any way this is just my 2 cents, but i would really like to see this happen in one way or another.How cool it would be to use your passion/hobby to help people.

Cheers and lots of luck, Mike

toxicvoxel · 26 Oct 2008, 14:24

Mike,
If southern Africa is your focus you may wish to look at the following link:
http://www.shuttleworthfoundation.org/
(Mark Shuttleworth is the bloke who flew the first private Russian space mission a few years back.)

They have specific funding criteria but your initiative may fit well with their overall objectives.
.

Mike Lucey · 26 Oct 2008, 14:55

Thanks Tox, I'm reading about the Shuttleworth Foundation with
great interest! I think there might be tie-in possibilities
of some sort. I'll understand better when I have read all of
the Site.

Good thinking Marian, your suggestion of using the WareHouse
sharing capabilities is top notch. This could in effect be our
Virtual Learning Centre!

I'm really delighted and excited that in just a day we have
started to formulate a Plan Of Action! This is something that
has continued to attract me the the SketchUp Community, their
open willingness to help others. This may sound 'corny'(as the
USA guys say) but its TRUE and can be seen day after day on this
forum.

The only thing that we must keep in mind is that while its all
very fine to dream, at the same time we have to be realistic
and not bite off more than we can chew. However I do see a
DOABLE project that I think many Members would be more than
willing to offer a little precious time to help out with.

Please keep the suggestions rolling! Oh! and don't forget to
view the TED presentations by Dave Eggers and Neil Turok!

Mike

pbacot · 27 Oct 2008, 15:58

Hi,

I had an idea to concentrate on a favorite archaeological site in Mexico, on my own--model the extant ruins and recreate according to archaeological evidence. Then I thought, based on programs others are doing, that it would be best if the children / young adults of the area did this, with help from SU professionals. The resulting production could be much bigger than I could do alone, and could be used in education, tourism etc. for the local community. I think it would need boots (or sandals) on the ground and coordination with local and donor organizations.

Your ideas are right in the same vein. I haven't embarked on anything yet, but would like to help in some way on projects.

Peter

Mike Lucey · 27 Oct 2008, 16:11

Thanks Pbacot for your input. I think your suggestion just goes
the show that there is an inclination here on the forums amoung
members to do something that would benifit others that are less
fortunate.

It would be great if we could hear lots of ideas and think hard
about a suitable project path that would fit in well with the
community here.

Mike

bellwells · 28 Oct 2008, 22:45

@remus said:

Perhaps some free architectural work for a suitable charity? i suppose the problem with this, though, is that it would be very easy for a few forum members to get very heavily involved with it and end up spending a disproportionate amount of their time on it.

Whatever happens, id love to get involved with a big project between everyone.

I am willing and able to dedicate free time to architectural projects for suitable charities or even "deserving" individuals or groups. I have always thought our talents should be shared with those who deserve and need it.

My current project will likely be my last (by choice), so I will have plenty of spare time to share.

Mike Lucey · 28 Oct 2008, 23:39

Thanks Ron for adding your weight. It looks like you are going
the retirement route? Hey! its not all its cracked up to be!
Better to keep your hand in

Have you any ideas that you would like to bounce off us?

Mike

bellwells · 29 Oct 2008, 02:20

Mike, to me retiring means I am my own client. I'll never abandon architecture; it's too much a part of me (for better or worse).

I'll think about this....

Mike Lucey · 29 Oct 2008, 12:10

Much appreciated Ron Looking forward to hearing what you
think.

linea · 29 Oct 2008, 13:10

Mike I am very interested in this, great idea. Count me in. I think they're could be many uses for our combined services, probably not just in the fields of architecture and education. A while back I was commissioned by a charity to just draw a simple 2d map of a shanty town in Gambia. The charity workers there had no map of the area. Luckily the resolution of the area on Google Earth is very good so the charity workers went door to door collecting info; mostly they took the surnames of the residents but some of the buildings were shops, cottage industries etc. I traced the map off the g.e. image in cad and then typed in all the detail. It took about a day but the resulting map was useful.

Obviously our focus will be SU based but I thought this is a good example of how there might be lots of things that we might not at first think of that could make a big difference.

Jon

Mike Lucey · 29 Oct 2008, 14:40

Bravo Jon, You have Walked the Walk, well done to you!

I think there is a lot in what you say. Its going to be very
difficult organising a particular cause to help BUT just maybe
(as you say) we could offer our SketchUp and other skills to
any deserving cause. SketchUcation would be ideal conduit for
this kind of charity work.

Maybe we could have a section that would be a place for charities
to outline the work they need done and Members wishing to get
involved and help out could either jump in and do the job (as in
your case) or join forces with other Members to complete a job.

It would be a loose arrangement that might work well for all as
I fully understand that we all have time constraints and for this
reason might feel hesitant to get involved. But this would be
a pop in if you have a few hours to spare sort of thing that could
work AND could be started right away!

What is the general consensus on the type of operation proposed
and has anyone a good name for it so we can get rid on the ????

Mike