Sneakernet-of-Alexandria: Enabling Communities to Serve Themselves

Speakers: Avni Khatri, Adam Holt, Jacob Chapman

Room: HC 203

Time: Sat 10:30 am – 11:00 am

Format: Lecture (30 Min + Q&A)

Difficulty: Introductory

Track: Self-Hosting

Presenter Location: In-person

Experience: umpteenth time speaking

Description:

Internet‑in‑a‑Box (IIAB) is a revolutionary community education approach that packages the world’s best open learning resources into inexpensive, offline knowledge hotspots. It empowers schools, libraries, clinics, and individuals—especially in developing regions—where internet access is limited or impossible. Through years of work in Haiti, Mexico, and across Africa, the team has seen firsthand the unnecessary digital divides between those with opportunity and those without.

IIAB supports capabilities such as Wikipedia, Khan Academy, healthcare libraries, OpenStreetMap, open books, and localized videos. Rather than dictating what content communities should use, IIAB enables organizers, teachers, and learners to curate their own “learning bouquets.”

The project provides:

An open‑source technology stack with ready‑to‑use applications

An admin interface for easy curation of learning resources

A frequently updated living FAQ

Virtual and in‑person support from an active developer community

This talk focuses on Upload2USB, the new Sneakernet‑of‑Alexandria capability that allows communities to curate and share their own learning bouquets. With Upload2USB, anyone can self‑host and customize content for their community—enabling cultural exchange and amplifying local and indigenous voices when mass media fails to serve grassroots needs.

Target Audience:

Developers looking to make meaningful impact worldwide