Update 1

Welcome to my Open Source Research Blog!

     My name is Thomas King and I am Junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I have recently been provided the opportunity to conduct some research through the Rensselaer Center for Open Source Software (RCOS).  RCOS strives to “…provide a creative, intellectual and entrepreneurial outlet for students to use the latest open-source software platforms to develop applications that solve societal problems.”(rcos.rpi.edu) 

But let me back up a second… What is open source?

     Open-source is usually used to describe software whose source code is free for anyone to use in whatever way they see fit. Whether you want to use the whole product, or you want to use some of the design for a particular section, you will not have to jump through hoops with copyright lawyers and such.

     Open-source does not just apply to software, though. It can also be an object or product that the designs are made free for the public to view or use to build the product.

A great example of the open source concept is the Linux operating system. Linux is a computer operating system (such as Windows 7 or Mac OS X) that is free to download, install, copy, edit in whatever way the user sees fit. This allows for “More Eyes” on the code to search for needed changes and improvements resulting in a better product.

(There is a great video on how Linux is built here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVpbFMhOAwE )

So what is my research about?

     I am currently working on a project with David Banks (www.davidabanks.org)  that aims to provide an open-source condom vending machine with the intended goals of “1) Provide a safe space for individuals (especially women) to purchase condoms; 2) Provide new entrepreneurial opportunities for Ghanaians; 3) Gain insight into mobile phone usage in "non-western" societies and; 4) Increase the use of condoms thereby reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. “

(More information can be found on the project http://www.davidabanks.org/condom-vending-machine/ )

     My personal role in the project is to provide open source code that will allow the vending machine to send a text message to owner of the vending machine to let him or her know when it needs to be refilled.  This will allow for a more efficient business. This will prevent a person from having to waste time checking vending machines that still have condoms in them and it will minimize the time a vending machine will be out of condoms.

     For this project I will be using the Arduino. The Arduino is an open-source microcontroller that is designed to be easy to use with both software and hardware. The Arduino community is very active, open and friendly when it comes to providing help with different projects which I think will be helpful for me as I design the software, as well as future users who wish to adapt or build upon my work.

     The Arduino will be acting as the ‘brain’ of the operations. It will tell gather information from sensors and instruct different peripherals how to act.

(More information on the Arduino platform can be found at http://www.arduino.cc/ )

This blog will be updated regularly with progress on my work with this project, as well as interesting news about other open source projects. Check back to learn more!