Since I stepped down from MNFI community manager’s position in our last community meeting, I’ve been focusing on Local Device Program (LDP) . What is LDP? In brief, it’s a local version of Community Device Program (CDP) described in MeeGo wiki.  Furthermore, LDP is a pilot project defined and tested in Tampere. We have defined device loaning criteria, process and management. At the moment we are finishing the application form, program description and device listing in MNFI portal. You can read more about LDP from my previous blog entry and from MNFI portal.

I stumbled upon Randall’s blog entry So what is a “Platform or Device Champion”? and it gave me an idea for this blog entry. Two issues raised in my mind: how does device champion relate to LDP? What are the differences between community device program and LDP?

Device Champions and LDP managers

I noticed that Randall describes Device Champions as follows:

Any community member passionate enough to act as a volunteer focal point for platforms or individual devices. That means researching, blogging, presenting, forum posting, leading discussions on email lists, and any similar highly visible activity in the community space. Platform or device champions need not be a subject matter expert or developer but should always be willing to help find one. Note that a Champion may or not be a Recipient. This not an elected or selected position; if you want to help, just do it!

Randall continues to define some bullet points, which might give a little more insight:

• It’s not a formal or paid position. It’s not really a position at all, and strictly volunteer
• Typical descriptive terms are eagerness, leadership, initiative, sharing
• Champions can volunteer to assist with individual devices or entire device platforms
• Persons in the role can help define the role

After reading Randall’s blog entry I started to wonder how this relates to LDP managers. LDP managers are people who are managing the device loaning applications & process, device storage, maintenance, etc. In other words, they take care of pretty much everything. To me LDP managers sound pretty much like Device Champions. Of course LDP is still looking for the final form and things might change in the future.

Now,  let’s take a look at the differences between community device program and local device program.

CDP vs LDP

Both programs aim for same result: getting devices to developers and get more action in application development. Intention is to make developers happy. The goal of CDP is

to put together a framework that makes it very easy for  anyone to contribute devices and have them go to the most qualified community members in exchange for some commitment to do something cool with the device.

LDP shares the same goal, but with local twist:

create a device program with lightweight bureaucracy which operates only locally. [...] LDP is intended to create activity around projects, which involves devices.

Both programs seem to have similar goal, but the methods and practices differ. First of all, in LDP devices are not shipped anywhere. Any registered MNFI member can apply for a device and if accepted they collect devices from storage location (at the moment from Tampere only). Secondly, device providers are not involved in selecting accepted device requests. In other words, they don’t dictate requirements for device loaning. Thirdly, any kind of NDA’s are not involved. Fourthly, we store devices locally in one location, not around the world. This also means that devices can be distributed faster than compared to shipping around the globe. Fifthly, CDP process is maintained by MeeGo project / Linux Foundation. LDP process is maintained by MNFi, but local networks run their own programs. In other words, MNFI coordinates the local efforts and develops the process, local networks execute the plans. Finally, LDP loan process is lightweight; as little bureaucracy as possible.

As stated above, Tampere will function as pilot and if other cities in Finland (or elsewhere) wish to do same, we are happy to assist.