Hardware availability

[benhylau]

Having a Hardware Budget allows us to stock devices that are difficult / costly to purchase in small quantities. For example, the Toplinkst adapter is a direct purchase from manufacturer usually in 30+ pcs. We also had to solder USB headers on them.

Once we have the workshop content well organized, and website ready, I think we should start getting in touch with groups that indicated interest in facilitation / curriculum integration, and ship them packages (ready adapters + pre-loaded SD cards, tested) that can get them started with a couple nodes. In parallel we can explore:

• Taking payments from these organizations to:

  • Cover baseline cost (so our hardware stock does not run out)
  • As contributions to purchase additional hardware for future collaborations

• How to advise larger quantity purchases, if a partner wants to purchase many WiFi adapters for example

• Start looking into whether Tindie will be beneficial, and at what stage (once we have a well-packaged kit it makes sense to reach larger audiences, but currently we just need a tool to facilitate the process of order + payment which can be done manually, we don't necessarily need to link to a shop yet)