Carlo Fonda

Very long distance wi-fi networks

802.11 Wi-Fi technology is commonly used for creating wireless networks with a range of about one hundred meters. With careful planning and proper antennas, this same equipment can be used to make point-to-point links of hundreds of kilometers. This paper presents a successful 279 km link made by wireless experts in Venezuela, and a permanent 133 km test network in northern Italy for ongoing research.

One year of ICTP diploma courses on-line using the automated EyA recording system

The 12-month pre-Ph.D. ICTP Diploma Courses in the fields of Condensed Matter Physics, High Energy Physics, Mathematics, Earth System Physics and Basics Physics have been recorded using the automated, low cost recording system called EyA developed in-house. We discuss the technical details on how these recordings were implemented, together with some web usage statistics and students feedback. As yet, no similar endeavor has been made to put on-line a complete high-level Diploma Programme, due to the high costs involved when using alternative recording solutions. These recordings are freely available on the website www.ictp.tv.

Virtual laboratory strategies for data sharing, communications and development

We present an overview of the VL approach to promote research and education in developing countries and to help reduce the technology gap of the digital divide. We discuss software tools for instrument control, data sharing and e-collaboration and communications with special attention to low-bandwidth networks. We analyse the tentative costs involved in VL and the skills needed for VL administration. We conclude by identifying some VL strategies for development.

Supporting science in developing countries using open technologies

We describe our contributions in using information and communication technologies (ICT) to address the digital and knowledge divides in developing regions. These include the implementation of new prototype systems using state-of-the-art, low-cost technologies based on the scientific audience, the local information technology infrastructure and the level of support available from local technical staff. Efforts are made to provide the necessary capacity and know-how to understand and manage their available information infrastructure with the final goal of supporting their science to allow participation at an international level.

Making ideas at scientific fabrication laboratories

Creativity, together with the making of ideas into fruition, is essential for progress. Today the evolution from an idea to its application can be facilitated by the implementation of Fabrication Laboratories, or FabLabs, having affordable digital tools for prototyping. FabLabs aiming at scientific research and invention are now starting to be established inside Universities, Research Centers and Schools. We review the setting up of the ICTP Scientific FabLab in Trieste, Italy, give concrete examples on the use in physics, and propose to replicate world-wide this class of multi-purpose workplaces within academia as a support for physics and math education and for community development.

Low cost carrier independent telecommunications infrastructure

Despite the impressive success in both wireless and fiber optics telecommunications deployment achieved in recent years, there are still many regions that are not adequately served by traditional telecommunications service providers because of the insufficient rate of return of the necessary investment in a reasonable time. In those places, broadband wireless communication can be built directly by small organizations taking advantage of the availability of low cost wireless routers that can be installed by persons with limited training, aided by training materials developed specifically for this purpose, and by examples of deployments in different scenarios. This paper will review some of the efforts to deploy low cost broadband wireless systems in many countries, and the production of training materials to empower individuals to design, install and maintain their own communication infrastructure. The application area span from providing telecommunication services in sparsely populated areas not currently served, to the installation of broadband wireless networks for universities and other organizations at much lower cost than what traditional providers charge.

A web community to foster science in developing countries: www.ictp.it

The experiences with the new ICTP website, aiming to satisfy the need for a modern and appealing image, as well as provide tailored online information and services to its scientists (in-house and around the world), are discussed as a case-study of an emerging web-based international community. This approach, which to our knowledge has not been similarly employed by the scientific community in the past, keeps in mind the special audience and the uniqueness of the ICTP scientific structure and organisation. The present approach is a decentralised architecture that offers space and freedom for creativity specific to various scientific programmes, while managing a minimal amount of common structure. The new website was developed using open source technologies and web standards certified by W3C.

Tecnologia EyA: Uma Ferramenta para Produção e Difusão Automatizada de Aulas Digitais na Web

In this paper we present the EyA technology developed for the massive and automated production of lectures and/or conferences in the form of video and audio recordings plus slides synchronized, using traditional chalkboards as found in classrooms and/or any digital presentation. We discuss several aspects related to the hardware and software needed to automate the recordings and its internet webcasting with EyA. The EyA technology is low-cost and its most recent version openEyA follows the open access movement for science dissemination.