NZERN Projects

FAQ

Q. What's this website for?

A. A place for projects by members to improve the www.bush.org.nz website.

Q. How do I suggest another project?

A. Use the forums to make your suggestions. Would you be prepared to take charge or help with the project?. All aspects of the www.bush.org.nz website are open to improvement.

Q. How long will it take to change the www.bush.org.nz website?

A. The more people help, the faster the changes. The holdup is with people deciding what they want, communicating it very clearly and being prepared to help with any work to be done.

Q. How can I help?

A. You can help by participating in the process. It is very important to make sure all problems are listed. There may be different possible solutions. The proposed changes to the website need to be carefully tested using as many different types of computers and bandwidth as possible. You need to express your opinions on the forums. A workshop is normally held to make sure the project will have maximum success. If something really bugs you - make sure you participate.

Q. I want to help but I'm not an expert

A. These projects will only be really sucessfull if a wide range of members participate. Experience has shown that everyone can contribute an idea or experience. NZERN's members come from very diverse backgrounds. We need to cater for people in cities and remote areas, those with a formal education and those who have learned the hard way, users of the latest flash computer and users of old dungers, young and old, and people from different cultures and languages.

Q. Who can attend the workshops?

A. Any NZERN member is very welcome to attend the workshops. The workshops are usually held in the conference room at the NZERN National Office and last between 4 and 8 hours. There is enough room for 20 people and 9 more people can be included by phone conference. Each workshop will only cover a single project and some projects may require several workshops. It is planned to hold a workshop every month in 2008 from February.

Q. Is there any funding?

A. No. These projects are not funded unlike 2002-2005. This is to make sure that the only project needs being met are those of NZERN's members. There are no deadlines or endless reports - the most important thing is to do a very good job the first time. Previous funding, sponsorship and donations have enabled NZERN to obtain a great deal of equipment, books and software, so that everything needed is already in place. Running costs are being covered by membership fees and donations.

Q. I want to donate - what do you need?

A. Further donations of time, cash and gear are very welcome.

We need:

• Money to pay for repairs, and spare parts.
• Volunteers who are self disciplined, reliable and can work as part of a team.
• Natural history books and magazines.
• Bookshelves.
• Flat screen computer monitors.
• Laptops.
• Industrial computer servers (at least P4 or Sun) and rack hardware, switches etc. We have $1,000,000 of donated software from Microsoft and ESRI to help NZ conservation but not enough servers to make it all available to everyone.
• 20 stackable chairs and a couple of foldup tables.
• A good commercial laser B/W photocoper/fax/printer/scanner that can be networked and has a collation stacker.
• A small heatpump to keep the server room at an even temperature.
• A tidy marque for field days.
• A water cooler
• A basic commercial filter coffee maker with jug and hot plate for the volunteers and interns who come in at all hours of the week to do difficult work. We can't pay them but at least we can give them nice working conditions.

If you want to donate please contact NZERN directly.

Updated 19/12/2007 04:19pm by PIPI4