Accessing the grid powered website:

Wilderland has two websites, one always-on, higher resolution website that is heavier to run, and one experimental, situated site, that is solar powered, and in the Nephin Park

The solar site might not always be on or available, it also has other quirks, and will be slower. Adjust your expectactions for this Permacomputing + Small Web alternative.

event

Permacomputing August: recycling smartphones

DATE: 2 Aug, 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Join Colm O'Neill for a permacomputing research session exploring ways to recycle smartphones.

Many households have a couple of abandoned yet functional devices, that may not be fit for every day use, but still have powerful hardware. The proposal here is to investigate methods for repurposing these devices, and testing project ideas with them.

One caveat is that the research so far only considers Android devices, not iOS. It is hopefully possible to repurpose old iPhones, but this session will focus on old Android devices.

Two methods for repurposing Android devices will be shared: one relatively simple one using Termux ("terminal emulator app and a Linux environment for Android devices") and another more complex, but ultimately more flexible method flashing PostmarketOS.

So far, repurposed smartphone project ideas are:

- hosting a website (like remote.wilderland.ie), making an IP camera for wildlife observation, making a digital signage or digital display. These all use Termux.

- making a media streaming server, making a retrogaming console, make a portable web-radio broadcaster, or host a website. All these use PostmarketOS.

Join along, bring your old Android devices, usb cables, SIM and SD eject tools, bring a laptop, these devices deserve to be used again!

All welcome.

Please note: this session is part of Colm's PhD research, and will involve the capturing of informal conversation. To participate in this session, you will be also asked to join in these discussions, to discuss your own experience of the subjects covered in the session. If you do not wish to participate in the research data collection, the practical content will be published on this website after the event.

Read more on the PhD research data collection process here.

About Permacomputing

A blend of the words permaculture and computing, permacomputing is a potential field of convergence between technology, cultural work, environmental research, and activism. In essence it aims to promote and experiment with a more sustainable relationship with computer and network technology. Find out more on our Permacomputing project page.

event artist(s)

  • Colm O'Neill

    • related project(s):

  • Permacomputing

    • Event Location

    Outdoor Education Hut - Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Wild Nephin National Park, Ballycroy, Co. Mayo