OLPC XO User manual

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OLPC Manual:
User’s Guide

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Table of Contents
What does OLPC stand for ? ………………………… pg. 4
How do you open the OLPC ………………………… pg. 4
How do I save a file? ………………………………… pg. 4
How do I access wireless ? ………………………….. pg. 4 & 5
How can I check for other XO’s in the area? ……….. pg. 5
Can I use USB keys with the OLPC’s? ……………… pg. 5
How can I ask others to share my applications? …….. pg. 5
How do I download/install new applications? ………. pg. 6
Basic keyboard navigation ………………………….. pg. 6—8
Mesh network …………………………………………pg. 8
Applications …………………………………………..pg. 9—11
Links for help …………………………………………pg. 11

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Introduction
Welcome to the OLPC manual. This section of the manual will describe the basic workings of
the OLPC. Keep in mind that that OLPC is a finicky machine and might not always do what
it’s told. When it comes to connecting to the Internet, please be patient. It can take several
tries, ending in hours of waiting for the machine to connect.
Remember this is a learning tool, so it’s main objective is the use of it’s activities and not nec-
essarily connecting to the Internet, although part of any well-rounded education is a thorough
knowledge of the tools our world has to offer.
Enjoy using the OLPC and if there are any questions contact Jeremy Littler at
[email protected] for more details/borrowing an OLPC.
**For Teachers:
If you plan to use this to show your class the ins and outs of the OLPC, set it up in advance. It’s a finicky ma-
chine and may not always respond in the way it’s supposed to. It’s best to set it up in advance, do a test run of
the applications and the activities you want to show your class to make sure it’s running properly—then you
can show your class. It’s just to ensure that what you want to show your class will actually work and you don’t
waste your time trying to get the machine up and running for the entirety of the class—because it might just
take you that long.

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What does OLCP stand for?
One Laptop Per Child; This is the company that developed the XO—the laptop designed for children being
distributed around the world
How do I open the unit?
The side of the unit is broken into two parts. The part of the unit that is closest to the user is the antenna—this
part flips up. Once you have flipped the antenna up, you can pull the unit open.
You will see that you have just opened the unit and you are looking at the screen.
The screen can turn 180 degrees in both directions.
In addition you can lay the screen flat on the keyboard by spinning the screen 180 degrees, and then laying it
on top of the keyboard—this is known as an E-Reader.
You can also, once you have opened the computer, bend the screen toward the handle so it’s leaning away
from you for easier reading/working.
How do I save a file?
All files are automatically saved into your Journal.
How do I access wireless service?
Step 1: Your Neighbourhood. Go into your neighbourhood (see photo)
Step 2: Chose an access point. These points are represented by circles in the neighbourhood view; You can
identify which networks are present by sliding your mouse (arrow) over the various circles. You can also
search for your network by typing it into the search bar above your neighbourhood.
The strength of each signal is indicated by how full the circle is. The colour of the circle is based upon the
name of the access point. Locked networks are identified by a black square with a tiny lock inside of it.
Step 3: Activate your connection. Click inside the circle of the access point that you wish to connect to.
You need to click the left side of the bar at the very bottom of your keypad. You will see that the bar is split
into two parts. The LEFT side has an X on it and the RIGHT has an O.

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This works in much the same way as a mouse does. Right click—use the O, left click—use the X
A drop down box should appear asking you what you want to do with the network. Click on “Connect to the
Network”
While the XO is trying to find a connection, the outside circle will blink. Once you establish a connection, the
circle will turn white. The circle will stop blinking if the connection failed. This may happen several times.
Because the computer can only connect wirelessly, it may take a few times before you actually connect to any-
thing.
If you are required to enter an access key (code to get into the system) you will be prompted to do so.
Step 4: Checking the connection: Go to your home view (see photo, p. 1). If you hover over the circle icon,
you will see the details of your connection. The circle is located on the far right of the three icons at the bot-
tom. The far left is your battery power and the right is your Internet connection.
How do you check for other XO’s in your area?
Go to Group (see photo, p. 1). From there, you will be able to see what other XO’s are in your area. You can
click on them and invite them to any program you are running at that time.
Can you use a USB key with the XO?
Yes, there are three USB plug ins: One on the left side of the XO and two on the opposite site, underneath the
antennas.
How do I invite others to share my applications? (Browser, Chat, etc.)
Go to Group; Hover your cursor over any of the other people in your area and a drop down box will appear. It
will a) Tell you who it is; b) Ask if you want to remove them as a friend; c) Ask if you want to invite them to
an application.
For example, if you are using Chat, it will ask if you if you want to invite them to a chat

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How do I download and install applications?
1. Start the Browse activity and install a new activity
2. Go to http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Activities webpage
3. Click on the .xo bundle next to the word Download; Ex: Click on Implode.xo to download Implode
4. Open the Journal activity on your XO
5. “Resume” the down activity from the Journal entry; the new activity should both launch and install on your
taskbar
**NOTE: If the activity does not launch, wait for a few seconds so the computer can digest everything. Return
to Home and scroll to see if it’s in your taskbar. If it is not, return to the wiki.laptop site where you
downloaded the activity and click on it again. It should ask you if you want to launch the site: Click YES and
DO NOT continue—the application will launch itself, and you will find it in your taskbar
Basic navigation and keyboard summary
Around the screen. . .

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The Keypad
X: escape key
Magnifying glass: takes you to Journal
Neighbourhood: takes you to the neighbourhood view
Group: takes you to the group view
Home: takes you to the home view
Activity: takes you to your activity log where everything you’ve done is logged
Adjust the brightness of the screen; adjust the volume
As of now, they do not have a function

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These replace your mouse—they work just like a regular mouse; X: left click, O: right
click
FN: function key—used in combination with other keys as a modifier
Hand: Grab Key—useless
Alt Graphics key: used in combination with other keys as a modifier
Bulletin Board Key: useless
Frame Key: Allows user to toggle the presence of the frame
What’s a mesh network?
A mesh network is the network that connects all of the OLPC’s in the area to one another. If you are in range
of other OLPC’s they will show up in your neighbourhood.
How can I communicate with other computers through the mesh network?
You need to invite other OLPC’s to your chat application.
1. Check to make sure you and the other OLPC are connected to the same mesh network (You can do this by
going to your Neighbourhood view, cruising through the various mesh networks in your area and connect-
ing to the same network as the other OLPC’s in your area
2. Activate your Chat application
3. Change the “Share with” from Private to My Neighbourhood
4. Go back to your Groups, and invite the other OLPC to chat with you
5. Go back into your Home, click on the highlighted chat icon on your taskbar
6. Chat with your friends/other OLPC’s

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Applications
The following applications have been installed onto your computer (OS 8.2) by default.
To download other applications visit http://wiki.laptop.org/go/
Activities#Lists_of_Activities and follow the instructions to get new applications.
Internet Browser: Allows you to connect to the Internet, provided you have a
wireless Internet connection
TamTamMini: A fun way to learn about the different sounds that different musical
instruments make
Chat: between two people or your entire classroom—you need to have an OLPC
in order to be included in the chat application
Memorize: finding and matching pairs
SynthLab: mini-lab for acoustic and electronic-circuit construction
TamTamEdit: An application for composing music; children can create, modify,
organize notes on virtual tracks
TamTamJam:An application for performing music, play multiple instruments
and collaborate with other kids
Record: Takes pictures, view slide shows, record video and audio—all content can
be shared via the mesh network
Journal: automated diary of everything a child does with the laptop; Can be used
to organize work, edit/view past projects, and parents/teachers can assess the work
being done

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Pippy: Introduction to programming in Python; the dynamic programming lan-
guage underlying much of the software on the laptop
Distance: You can measure the distance between two laptops by measuring the
length of time it takes for sound to travel between them; other measurement and
recording activities
Turtle Art: Allows children to program a Logo “turtle” to draw colourful and
complex artwork
Write: Basic text editing software; includes collaboratve real-time editing, so a
group of kids can work together and edit text easily
E-Toys: helping children learn by doing; Exploring ideas by creating models,
simulations, and game complete with text, graphics, sound and video
Read an eBook: Allows you to read a book on the computer easily by rotating the
screen 180 degrees so it falls down onto the keyboard
Calculator: generic calculator with simple, straightforward interface
Ruler: This application is just a ruler on your screen. You can hold objects up to it
to see what its length is
Maze: This application brings up various mazes to complete with various degrees
of difficulty
Speak: This application allows you to type words into the computer and it will re-
peat them back to you
Help: This application brings you to an OLPC help site that can help you if you
rung into a problem

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Moon: This application shows information about the moon relative to where you
are
Analyze: An activity version of the Sugar analyze tool
Implode: An application that allows kids to play but learn patterns as well.
Scratch: Users can create interactive animation-they can then post their anima-
tions on the Scratch website: http://scratch.mit.edu/
Log: logs everything that you’ve done on the computer
Measure: An application that allows children to explore and learn by connecting
and observing physical phenomena and real-world events; measure and log data and cre-
ate graphs
Paint: provides a canvas for a child/group of children to express themselves crea-
tively; free-hand, pre-designed shapes, text support, image import functionality, interac-
tive placement
Terminal: An activity version of the Sugar (OS) terminal
How do you turn off the unit?
Go to your Home View: Hover over the XO until the drop down box appears. There will be an option to Shut-
down the OLPC.

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Links to OLPC applications and downloads
For more information about the XO/OLPC check out the following links; below are help resources, links to
chat rooms and just general guidelines for extra help
1. http://en.flossmanuals.net/xo—Online Manual
2. http://www.laptop.org/en/index.shtml—OLPC main site
3. http://www.laptop.org/go/The_OLPC_Wiki—OLCP Wiki
4. http://en.forum.laptop.org/chat/irc.cgi—OLPC Chat