Wifi Hotspot to help rebuild

Over the next two days Dora will be parked up in New Brighton Mall to provide wifi access as a PopUp Precinct emerges from the rubble. Students from Unitech, Auckland  have come to Christchurch to help locals design and build PopUps. This is Dora's first chance to test her wifi capablilities, as a hotspot. The mast is up, the satellite dish deployed, and wifi connectivity is working well.

Dora visits the Pier

Dora taking a well earned break at the New Brighton Pier.

Dora's Formal Launch at Eliza's Manor

Dora was formally launched at Eliza's Manor in Christchurch last night. It was a fantastic gathering as everyone who was involved in her creation came together to celebrate. Dora has been a collaborative project from the start, with InternetNZ being the major financial sponsor.

 Laurence Zwimpfer from 2020 Communications Trust who designed Dora.

 Vikram Kumar from InternetNZ - Dora's major financial sponsor.

 Marilyn van Eysden, Pauline Cotter, Karaitiana Taiuru, and Kose Seinafo from the Christchurch Computers in Homes Steering Group. Geoff Siave, was unfortunately unable to attend.

Glenn Livingstone, Christchurch City Councillor officially cuts the ribbon, with Sue Davidson, Christchurch Regional Coordinator for Computers in Homes and The SteppingUp programmes.

Photographer: Sarah Simons

Visit to Edgeware Community Centre

Edgeware's beautiful old Community Centre had to be demolished due to earthquake damage. With the support of Lions and the City Council, they now have a temporary structure back on site, which will allow them to continue to support the local community. Community computing classes have not yet restarted, however, this is where Dora may be able to be of service to the community in the future.

Claire Phillips, Strengthening Communities Advisor from Christchurch City Council and Janine Moore, Dunedin's Computers in Homes Coordinator, admire Dora's ANZIA award.

Foundation of the Blind and Supergrans visit

Day two of Dora's launch week took Dora to The Foundation of the Blind and Supergrans. Supergrans has been a long time supporter of the Computers in Homes and SteppingUp programmes in Christchurch. On board discussions were had about the creation of Dora and her amazing hi-tech gear. Interestingly enough, the satellite took a long time to deploy - note to self, avoid parking beside massive trees.

Dora's sponsors

Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors and supporters who have helped make Dora a reality!

Launch Week - Dora's first outing

Monday 15 October 2012
Dora visited Family Works and GAP (Grandparents as Parents) at Presbyterian Support in Bealey Ave. Connectivity via satellite worked beautifully as members of GAP came on board Dora to explore the internet and learn how Dora was created.
https://uppersouthisland.familyworks.org.nz/

Dora wins ANZIA Award

http://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2012/2012-Australia-and-New-Zealand-Internet-Award-Winners-Announced
 DORA scoops Internet Access Award in Australia DORA, the 2020 Communications Trust’s mobile digital learning centre, scooped the top award in the Internet Access & Digital Skills category at the 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (ANZIAs)
DORA scoops Internet Access Award in Australia | Scoop News

 

More final touches

With the support of funding from  InternetNZ, Dora has become a reality.

 internetnz.net.nz

Final graphics added to front of Dora by Vis-com  http://vis-com.co.nz/

Kiwi Skills on Board Dora

A group of Computers in Homes  http://www.computersinhomes.org.nz  trainers and coordinators came to Christchurch to trial Dora. They spent the day training and testing with the  Kiwi Skills programme.      http://www.kiwiskills.co.nz/

The  solar charged batteries  powered us all day, with batteries never going below 82%. Internet access was via satellite, and performed beautifully.

Dora finally leaves the yard!

Five months after arriving in Christchurch, Dora is finally ready to leave the yard. She is not quite finished, but very nearly there.

Dora in the city

Dora a finalist in ANZIA - results in October

Dora and SteppingUP (2020 Communications Trust) are finalists in the Australia and NZ Internet Awards - "....recognising those who have made significant contributions to the development and use of the Internet in New Zealand and Australia." Catergory - Internet Access and Digital Skills. The winners will be announced in October. Very exciting!!!

http://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2012/Finalists-announced-2012-Australia-and-New-Zealand-Internet-Awards

Mast testing

Up, up and away. Testing the mast. This will be used when Dora is acting as a wifi hotspot. It has a siren that is activiated when the bus is put into gear - just to make sure nobody drives off with it still up.

Personal number plates

Dora nears completion with the attachment of her own number plates.

Veronica designs graphics

Veronica Alkema from Vero Design in Wellington pays Dora a visit to see how the graphics she designed are looking. The graphics were installed by Vis-com. www.vis-com.co.nz

Techie's delight

Matt and Alex from Wifi Guys  have spent many hours on board Dora. Dora is a techies delight, with all the bells and whistles.  http://www.wifiguys.co.nz   

Electricians challenged

Apparently working on buses is not something that electricians particularly enjoy - especially one as complex as Dora!

Dora's Mastermind

Laurence Zwimpfer (2020 Communications Trust) produced a 20 page Specification for the fit out of Dora, including all the digital and electrical systems.

Dora's impressive roof

Dora's power design

Dora has many options for power. She has solar panels on her roof which feed the deep cycle batteries; a generator and ship to shore. The inverter is pivotal in this system.

Dora's Data Network

Dora is able to connect via satellite, 3G or wifi. She can also act as a wifi hotspot.

External painting goes ahead