Take back the sky
The Oregon State Linux Users Group, with the help of the Oregon Space Grant Consortium (OSGC), launched a balloon satellite to celebrate 100 million Firefox downloads. The balloon carried a Firefox banner up to 100,000 feet before exploding and parachuting back to earth. This was our successful attempt at topping the 50 million download stunt.
Firefox-One Timeline
T-6 days
On Sunday we were at a BBQ trying to figure out how the OSLUG could celebrate the 100 Millionth Download of Firefox. The conversation started with paper mache logos to dozens of Firefox painted beach balls. But then the conversation turned to launching a weather balloon with help from the OSGC. We would take back the sky!
T-4 days
By Tuesday the OSGC was on board and excited. Catherine Lanier and Jack Higginbotham from the OSGC were going to help us launch a balloon with the ability to carry a 12lb payload up to 100,000 feet! The plan was to put a camera satellite and the biggest Firefox logo we could find on the balloon.
T-24 hours
The final piece of the puzzle was getting a huge poster. It was the day before the event, so we knew it would be a difficult to find a place to print one. After making a few phone calls NWGI stepped up and donated a 5'x6' poster! This was the poster that actually flew on Firefox One. The LaunchOregon crew worked the rest of the day to create a structure to support the poster and camera satellite.
T-90 minutes
The helium started flowing. OSCG had a balloon filled in no time, but we quickly found out that this was the small balloon only for the extra smaller Firefox banner we had with us.
T-10 minutes
It just so happened that there were about a 1000 visitors on campus for the "Beaver open house". Also, conveniently enough, their break was during the launch. A sized crowd (~100 people) showed up to watch us launch the balloon/Firefox contraption.
T-15 seconds
We got a "green" from OSGC and the crowd quickly circled around the apparatus. The countdown started from 95, going to 100, to celebrate the 100 million downloads and 100 thousand feet that the balloon would travel. Yes, sort of cheesy, but it was fun.
T-5 seconds
95 ...
96 ...
97 ...
98 ...
99 ...
100! ...
GO FIREFOX!!
It was off! The crowd cheered, watched until they could not see it anymore, scratched their heads, and walked off.
Special thanks
Other
- Login to post comments
Great
Nice pictures shared here.
thanks for sharing such a nice thing. Microsoft Israel Labs
Nice
Nice event and photos as well. Glad to see everyone so happy. Hope we can have other events like this soon. social bookmarking
Yet another great stunt
I'm really enjoying going through these! What is next for you all?
Back Porch Compost Tumbler
The crowd cheered, watched
The crowd cheered, watched until they could not see it anymore, scratched their heads, and walked off.
club penguin
Firefox fans
Although I am not a linux user, but I always firefox fans, now and then.
regards,
Sulumits Retsambew
This baloon will climb up more.
I am a linux fan at OSU and it was just an amazing event. As an open source fan I am sure this baloon will climb up more. sesso
It was off! The crowd
It was off! The crowd cheered, watched until they could not see it anymore, scratched their heads, and walked off. coursework | course work
coursework writing | custom coursework | coursework help | GCSE Coursework
I'm sure it was cool. The
I'm sure it was cool. The pics are really, I wish I was there. :( Btw is it possible at our uni, to make money by applying for a job like college works painting?
Jimmy
youtube to mp3
Yes the pics were really
Yes the pics were really cool, I wish i could have been there too.I guess the students are having lot of fun there.
water damage atlanta
Yep agreed
Nice pictures, looks good. kids television = Essex Builders - Essex Web Design - Peppa Pig Toys
very good shots.. and
very good shots.. and interesting events too.
Tech
Are there more images of
Are there more images of this event? I'd love to see them. I hope nobody gets asbestos cancer because of the nearby building operations.
still counting
The countdown started and still counting
Custom papers | Custom essays
The best
Go Firefox!! thats the way
journey | arts
I agree firefox! lol. a
I agree firefox! lol.
a
RE:
It was off! The crowd cheered, watched until they could not see it anymore, scratched their heads, and walked off.
Custom Thesis | Thesis Help
on GO FIREFOX!!
100 million downloads and 100 thousand feet that the balloon would travel go on GO FIREFOX!!
__________
wonder | world