Universal Production Set

A proposal by Christian Siefkes

Description

Idea: In order to make it easier for everyone to produce what they like to have, build a comprehensive database of free design and production know-how.

→ The Universal Production Set (UPset) should cover designs, blueprints, and other production know-how for all areas of life, but with a special focus on the 8 Essentials.

The UPset should be a meta-project, integrating and connecting existing free design projects, whenever possible. Principles

• Freedom principle:

         o Knowledge and data must be free/open according to the Open Knowledge Definition
         o Software must be free software
         o Used standards must be Free and Open Standards
         o Content should be stored in free file formats
   

• Don’t do harm principle:

         o Don’t collect designs for things that are mainly useful for harming other people, such as weapons.
         o Don’t collect designs for things that could accidentally do enormous harm, such as nuclear energy.

Guidelines

• Modularity: favor modularity and standard components/processes that can be combined in versatile ways. There is no need to re-invent the same (free) wheels again and again.

• Affordable design: try to keep the barriers of entry low. Production shouldn’t require expensive materials/components/tools or rare skills, whenever possible.

• Responsible design: favor designs that are

         o Sustainable and eco-friendly
         o Accessible
         o Child-friendly
         o Easy and safe to use
         o Easy to repair or replace

(http://www.keimform.de/2008/09/04/hiddinghausen-talks-1-free-design/)

Details on the 8 essentials

The 8 Essentials: What is it that everybody needs?

• Food

• Clothing & shoes

• Housing & furniture

• Housing infrastructure:

o Energy

         o Water
         o Sewage, garbage removal
   

• Communication:

         o Internet / Phone
         o Postal services
   

• Mobility: transportation & traffic

• Care:

         o Body care / Health care
         o Child care / Elder care
         o Emergency care
   

• Fun & knowledge:

         o Learning
         o Sports, games
         o Books, music, movies, shows
         o Art & entertainment / Parties & events