Howard Agnew Dedicated Project Visit Application

Dedicated Project Visit Application for Howard Agnew
Name, age, gender, location, contact info (phone, email, Skype). Howard V. Agnew; 35; Male; Graham, WA USA; (253) 273-4177 (mobile; may get this # changed), Howard_V_Agnew@yahoo.com, Skype ID:  howard_v_agnew

Please include a photo of yourself.

Please list schools you have attended, degrees and/or major areas of study or training, and independent studies that you have done. Pierce College campuses in Puyallup, Washington and Ft. Steilacoom, Washington -- pursued (but did not complete) an Associate's in Arts and Sciences / Computer Applications University of Phoenix Online (online-only courses) -- pursued (but did not complete) a Bachelor's in Business/E-Business

Please attach a resume or provide a list of work experience, both paid and volunteer.

Please provide 3 References with email and phone number - 2 work references, 1 personal reference Personal Reference: David Ihnen, Skylos@gmail.com, (562) 743-1807 Personal Reference: Jeremy Wilton, wolfjlupus@gmail.com, (360) 453-7331 (have also done house/dogsitting work for him) Professional Reference: Susan von Beck, owner of Cardiff Lodge (alternative dog boarding facility on 20 acres of partially forested land in Duvall, Washington); hunterdonfarms@aol.com; (425) 788-8449 Professional/Business Reference: Robyn Bergen (landlady); 23401 104th Street SE, Monroe, Washington 98272 (unfortunately no phone nor e-mail) Apologies for my reference list not meeting the exact bill, especially no phone or e-mail for Robyn. I know Susan has been happy to offer a reference for me. I miss her and working on the kennel there. I have done housesitting for my friend Jeremy, I do not know whether that comes close to the professional reference sought. Of course I know David lives only a few miles from FeF and is probably my best personal reference (because, well, he's easy for you to find :P).

How did you hear about the program? Why are you applying for a Dedicated Project Visit? Why are you interested in our work? I heard about OSE through David Ihnen. David and I have chatted from time to time about establishing a commune somewhere, but the practical reality had been, before David found OSE, was to be self-sufficient, we would need some expensive equipment (tractors, etc.) ... so it had been shelved as a "someday" dream. The OSE work developing the GVCS is important personally, because it will make the hope a reality for us personally, and its a grease-and-sweat means of addressing the horrific problems of so many billions in 'third-world' countries who do not have access to the machines to provide for themselves, their families and their villages. Technology is neat if it can help people, but it does absolutely no good for people who have no access to it because they don't have the means of acquiring it, and OSE's work will drastically change that.

I am applying for a Dedicated Project Visit because what little I've been able to get started doing for the project, working on documentation, tweaking things on the wiki ... I feel, for the first time in way too long of a time, that I have something I can contribute that is of value to others. I guess that's a bit selfish, but if I can lift my spirit and help a project that can change the world for the better by putting my technical writing knack and skills to work showing exactly how to build the GVCS machines, I think there's great mutual benefit there.

Describe practical skills you may have - from agriculture, workshop, industry, organizing, hands-on, CAD, manufacturing, computer skills, etc. I've had such varied jobs and things I've done, its hard to be comprehensive as I'm sure I forget some stuff ... Technical writing, I've fiddled around with CAD in school and for personal projects (was AutoCAD 20+ years ago, last few years its been Google Sketchup, I think I can learn to use other CAD programs though), Animal Care (thus far horses, dogs, goats, cats), janitorial/custodial, Quality Control (I can sometimes spot developing problems others have missed), Computer Applications (I'm decently good at word processors, spreadsheets and database software), wiki editing (have been on Wikipedia and a few other wikis for several years), landscaping (mowing, pruning, trimming back the jungle a bit, laying landscaping brick [mortarless; I have no masonry experience making brick walls with mortar], planting, weeding, raking, leveling gravel, etc.), can do a little cooking (have made cookies, cakes, casseroles and spaghetti starting with base tomato sauce/paste/etc.)

Have you designed and built or produced anything for your own use? I used to build my own computers until about 2003 or so, but have had to rely on friends more up to date with current tech for my last few computers. Most of my personal hobby/projects revolve around writing.

Which of your skills are particularly relevant towards creating the GVCS? Please view the TED Talk and recent update for the latest on our approach and on-the-ground work. Technical Writing. Writing ability itself is a strong component, but technical writing especially needs thinking on the audience, taking a critical eye to the writing and looking for anything and everything that can be done to make the end product documents as accessible as possible; in the case of the GVCS manufacturing instructions work I have done so far, for instance, I already identified CAD drawing versus text instruction inconsistencies which, while not true errors, may add something of a confusion or intimidation factor for people considering building them and addressed them in the work I have been doing so far on the word processing document.

Do you have any organizational skills and experience? Not a whole lot. I do believe it will be important to delegate tasks, even on my documentation focus, to help maximize the pace of developing the GVCS prototypes and manufacturing instructions, and I do aim to look for opportunities to reduce how much time it will take to complete a documentation set by collaborating with others to work on the CAD drawings. The machines have multiple parts which must be individually done in CAD; while collaborating on an individual CAD file is iffy, with multiple CAD files needed, this provides a good opportunity for parallel work I will look for ways to take advantage of so reduce the time it will take to produce the complete technical documentation.

Can you cook? Can you cover your food expenses? I can cook. I am presently on food stamps, and would likely need to apply for food stamps in Missouri (I'm not sure, but I believe each state does its own food stamp programs).

Do you have resources to support yourself while volunteering with us? My resources are, unfortunately, limited. I have no obligations (no dependents nor spouse), just taking care of myself to concern with. Hopefully as the GVCS are developed and used at FeF itself, communal self-sufficiency will increase and this will be less of an issue.

Do you have any medical, physical, or psychological conditions or disabilities which may affect your ability to do physical work? I do have some chronic conditions, but nothing that should prevent me from working: Depression, anxiety, migraine, psoriasis. I have incurred ganglion cysts in a wrist which may recur at any time, but I need only get a wrist brace at the onset of discomfort, which will allow me to continue working while avoiding aggravating a growing cyst and enable it to recede on its own. I have not yet had a recurrence of a cyst, but its a probability I do keep in mind and can attend to without preventing me from doing physical work. My depression has been lifting since I have started working on the GVCS documentation ... being useful, I have found, has been the best treatment for this condition.

Do you have any emotional, psychological, or mental conditions which may affect your ability to act with composure and good judgment? I do tend to make poor decisions at times, but I have never been a threat to others. I believe I am capable of keeping it in control, especially when I have focus on a task and know my work on that task is helping others.

Are you easy to get along with and can you get along with other people? Generally, yes. Most of the very few 'personality conflicts' I've had on jobs has been with people I do not work with on a regular basis (a coworker who works in another section, a CEO who usually keeps himself isolated in his office, etc.) If I am not immediately busy, I often try to think of ways to lend a hand to those struggling with a burdensome task ... if I am not doing something absolutely critical, for instance, and I see someone struggling trying to carry a load or clean up, I rarely hesitate to jog over and help out. I think this, and trying to disarm others who are stressing out with an occasional joke or heartfelt encouragement has generally made it pleasant for those who work alongside me to get along with me.

Do you have strong ideological views (political, religious, elitist, feminist, etc.)? I would have to say yes to be honest, but I have learned to keep them to myself around company whose views may conflict. I try to keep myself to common interests. The GVCS will be useful and empowering to an unlimited range of lifestyles and people of some beliefs I may not agree with ... but I think, believe and strongly feel that collaborating and cooperating in developing the GVCS is a very positive effort and one that offers the added benefit of bringing people together from diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, ethical codes and philosophies, and a good opportunity to learn a bit from each other. I would feel it wrong for me to attempt to impose my personal beliefs on others in this collaborative process (chiefly because it would impede that progress). I have worked alongside those I have strong personal differences with the past without issue, and can think of no reason why that would fail on a project like OSE's development of the GVCS.

Are you a team player - or someone who understands that the work we do at Factor e Farm is for a much greater purpose than for our own self-gratification, indulgence, or agenda? This implies a level of maturity in the participant which allows one to remain not only aligned with the vision, but also to remain motivated in this work. Yes. I think a lot of people have worked jobs because they have to, in order to get the paychecks to pay the bills, and it is difficult to stay motivated for the job itself after awhile ... or pursued an academic degree in a school because it might provide great career opportunities over pursuing the yearnings in one's heart which might not enable self-sufficiency. With volunteer work on the GVCS, I know there is a common goal. I expect there will be some differences in an approach, and I think that is actually healthy as differing perspectives can evolve machine designs that are stronger. I do greatly value and respect constructive criticism, and don't think teamwork can be truly healthy without it, so I greatly admire and respect people on a personal level who can both generate and constructively receive criticism that helps improve efforts ... in the case of the GVCS, the machines are stronger if someone comes up with a better idea that improves on an old one, for instance. Everyone has something to bring, and the one thing in common, I think, is and should be heart, desire to see the project come to full fruition with a complete set of machines that enable a change in the world for the better, bringing beneficial technology to those who presently have no means of acquiring it. Impoverished, starving people widely seen as in need of charity from afar can transform into self-sufficient people when the GVCS is complete ... that very idea I can hear in the messages from a lot of people involved at OSE, and one I share, and I think that focusing on that goal is a harmony. I definitely have respect for anyone sharing it, even if we disagree on particular designs or approaches (such as what tools are best for documentation, in my area).

I do feel it important to respect the other team members, even where there is disagreement over stuff, and it is more important to make progress toward GVCS development that proceeding on ego through fruitless arguments. I think that's the mark of a good team player.

Do you smoke? No, and unfortunately secondhand smoke (whether tobacco or other substances) has proven a frustrating migraine trigger for me. I try to be as accomodating as I can, but definitely seek to remain upwind of someone who is smoking.

Do you have any dietary restrictions? Will you eat meat raised at our farm? I have been on a politically-motivated boycott of beef for about ten years due to how a lot of ranchers (the big operators given license virtually free to feed their cattle in vast tracts of publicly-owned wilderness). None of my immediate friends share this, and I have no need to pressure anyone to sharing this action. Meat raised on the farm, that doesn't come at the expense of wilderness (going well outside of where the cattle are to slaughter wolves, or mustang horses because they compete for food as has been done since about 2005), I would have no problem with. I've actually desired to acquire beef from some few ranches that are wildlife-friendly, but have not been able to do so since they are a minority, and have to come up with more responsible means of keeping their stock safe which costs money (and it would cost money to ship the meat).

Meat that is raised on the farm, I can see no issues with ... I have viewed myself as a bit cowardly for continuing to buy meat in supermarkets, never having slaughtered anything personally myself. I do feel I need to overcome that as a personal weakness ... if I am to eat meat, I shouldn't leave it to others to slaughter because I'm too much of a coward to end a life myself. I expect its gonna be a squeamish thing for me to start, kind of like learning to swim by jumping off a bridge. I feel strongly I should not eat meat if I can't bring myself to do it, however.

Of course, I am happy to entertain pure vegetarians too, would love to learn to cook for a vegetarian.

Do you have transportation? Will you be arriving by car and leaving the car on-site? Yes, I do have my own car. I hope the mechanically inclined can help out if it breaks down. I would be happy to chauffeur those needing rides to places (when I learn my way around; unfortunately I lack a GPS navigation device) or run errands to pick up food and things ... I have managed to fit 3 hay bales in my car before, and more than 200 lbs of horse feed (not simultaneous with the hay). I have transported garbage to the dump and dogs in my car, and don't freak out over things that smell or aren't squeaky-clean.

Documentation is key to moving our work forward. Are you familiar with using a Wiki? Yes, I am ... and with a word processor. I hope to put these skills to good use bringing the work already being done on Factor e Farm to the world. I know FeF has already produced several working machines, and others with the skills and tools are eager to build their own, all they need is a complete working document detailing exactly how to build the machines. If I can help even a little with that by using my technical writing aptitude, it would be a tremendous thrill building that informational bridge!

Please produce a 1-3 minute video introduction to yourself and upload it to a video-sharing site of your choice for our review. See sample video from WilliamCleaver from a former application.

Can you work well as a pioneer under rough conditions, by taking the responsibility to create your own environment? I don't know if my experience is quite as 'roughing it' as the tents I've heard about at Factor e Farm, but I did live in an RV for 1-2 years, most of that time with no real actual heater (including through one of my region's worst winters in 20 years with 4+ feet of snow and single-digit temperatures, not common at all for this area). I spent two days shovelling snow; I also grabbed a shovel and rake when my landlady's driveway had decayed with potholes sinking more than two feet and puddles became near-permanent ponds to fix those issues. Its amazing how much whacking down some brush and levelling out a drive or pathway can make an outdoors area accessible to work and get stuff done in, without having to bulldoze every bush in sight.

When would you be available for a Dedicated Project Visit? I am available more or less now, but I would prefer at least a day or two to bid farewell to my local friends and wrap up some business (really need to get my cell # changed as I'm getting too many unwanted calls).

If you are accepted and things don't work out, do you have other options to pursue after the month? I have no immediate resources, but a friend of mine is repaying a loan I believe I could get an advance on in this case.

List your goals and deliverables for your Dedicated Project Visit, breaking it up by each of the four weeks. Please write a one-page proposal brief summarizing what you would like to do, how you would accomplish it, and what resources you would need to do so. Include a budget as necessary. We are willing to pay for prototyping materials. The big thing I would like to do is hammering out the documentation. Unfortunately, it is difficult for me to plan out in advance how this is going ... I understand the FeF builders are all very busy and prototypes are being ever-changed and developed. I think the first heavy push out should be to get the current specs for all the parts. With that, I could not only get to work myself on getting the documentation and associated CAD files to completion, but reach out to the existing CADders with the updated specs so some of the work can be done in parallel, collaboratively, which would reduce the amount of time it would otherwise take (if I had to do all of the modelling myself) to complete a comprehensive Manufacturing Instructions draft for the CEB Press.

A system would have to be worked out, that I can't really see how I could solidly iron out beforehand, where I could go over every single part, one at a time, with the builders for current specs (locations of holes to punch, welds, bolt sizes, etc.), and the assembly instructions ... without my slowing down and getting in the way of their actual work on the prototypes. I imagine this might work best by grabbing what spare time from the builders is available have for the CEB Press, while other machines are being actively worked on (that way I don't have to worry about it taking days or weeks to get the information, and by the time I get it, its already out of date again). I honestly don't have a solid plan for this, and think whatever plan I try to come up with beforehand would be shot down by the practical realities on the ground at FeF, how tight the schedules are.

Are you willing to publish all the results of your work openly, and to make any of your contributions open source, consistent with our goal of creating Distributive Enterprise? Absolutely. I am trying to incorporate into the word processing document a page to list contributions made to the document, and on the copyright page I've already pasted in an open source document license with copyright assigned to "Open Source Ecology." Will probably need to check with whomever is responsible for legalese before final publishing, as legalese is certainly not a language I am fluent in.

Open source accessibility is already a concern I have made a few decisions in the actual composition of the document I have been working on, and I look forward to finding more ways to make it as open and accessible as I continue working on it.

How does your proposed work contribute to the creation of the GVCS? The work at Factor e Farm is incredible, but its ability to change the world is rather dimmed if the instructions on how to build the machines can't get out there. Technical documentation, written clearly and simply step by step on how to build the machines, I feel is what brings the prototyping machines to the world and is an important bridge from the dedicated FeF crew to the small but growing crowd all over the world wanting to build the machines themselves, to work their own plots or sell to help invest in their needs and contribute back to OSE to finish the GVCS development.

What are the metrics by which you could assess the success of your work? (prototypes built, documentation produced, resources or funding raised, infrastructure built, food provided, contribution to the community provided, True Fans recruited, etc.) Note that we are looking more for tangible and explicit proposals and results as opposed to 'I will help with whatever is needed' or other generalizations - unless we agree otherwise. The one big metric I would use would be completing a draft, reviewing it with the actual builders and with fellow technical writers for critique, getting a proverbial (if not actual) sign-off, doing a final Export to PDF and uploading the full, complete instruction set. Time is an important and finite resource with such ambitious goals of full, complete instructions for a couple machines done by Christmas, and having to keep pace with the builders throughout the full GVCS ... so it is important, but getting correct methodology and ensuring completeness, accuracy and accessibility (easy to understand, eliminating every possible source of confusion within the documents that can be found, etc.) I feel quite strongly is a more important metric to begin with. Time is still important though, and I need to keep thinking how I can accomplish the end product (in documentation, the final published .PDF and updated Wiki instructions) the fastest without sacrificing the essential qualities of comprehensiveness and accessibility.

What do you expect personally to get out of your Dedicated Project Visit? A sense of usefulness is, I have come to realize, more important than any other measure. Not feeling useful is, believe me, a very tragic rut to be stuck in.

Can you visit us prior to your Dedicated Project Visit? Unfortunately, no, due to geography and limited financial resources to afford the trip.

Please share three interesting things about yourself.
 * 1) I tend to communicate better in writing than in person (I get a 'deer in the headlights' feel often, even in pleasant conversation with someone I know well and trust).
 * 2) I do like learning new things outside my expertise (an essential facet of being a technical writer; we don't just write, we have to learn from technically proficient people doing tasks we have no proficiency in ourselves and keep in mind, when composing the documentation, whom we are writing for ... writing for the layperson means clear, simple steps and explaining).
 * 3) Be careful if you ever challenge me to a Scrabble game.

Please share three things you think people should know about living with you.
 * 1) I tend to be a night owl, definitely not a morning person.
 * 2) I tend to guzzle a lot of coffee.
 * 3) I am as happy to help out by scrubbing a toilet as I am learning a technical craft; my concern is filling voids in projects and doing what is needed over what is glorious.

Can you bring a digital camera or phone camera for documenting your work? Yes, though I'm not particularly adept at photography.

Any other concerns or considerations? I'm so excited at the prospect, its hard to think. One thing that's been on my mind is power limitations ... my desktop machine where I do most of my work, unfortunately, seems to guzzle a lot of electricity by itself; it certainly makes my room hot even on a cool day; I understand power availability has been an issue for the actual machining equipment, such as the welding equipment. I do have a laptop which is less of an energy hog, but to really get work done, will need to use it with my desktop monitor and a full USB keyboard and mouse I have for it. I have my project work files on an external hard drive, so I can transfer regularly. My laptop seems to lack the computing power for smooth video recording work, unfortunately, and I don't think it would be up to the task of working on Sketchup CAD drawings (have not yet tried that on my laptop, though).