Computers for Uganda? 53
" I was hoping to use thin-clients because they are very durable and create very little load for a server, however, I am not experienced enough to administer them properly using Linux (the same going for Solaris), and do not have enough money for Windows licensing (and also hope to have them be as reliable as possible). I would like to use Apple computers because that is the OS I am most well-versed in, and know that when I leave Uganda and if a problem were to arise, that there would be hope of the problem being rectified. I'm more looking to donate these computers to his school as opposed to set up an internet cafe; so I would be looking to have 6-20 computers and a server. I have never set up a network on a large scale and will need to know about what type of router/hub/network configurations would be plausible (I have a very basic knowledge of administering networks, something I hope to fix soon).
I thank all of you for your input, I hope we can make this happen!"
Ask for equipment, software and services. (Score:5, Informative)
It may be cheaper to use cell phones. It is also possible to use satellite phones, but of course you'll have to share this among a lot of people to make it economical.
Put together a network plan. Is it possible?
Services are hard to get, but you can probably negotiate discounts and get grants from foundations to underwrite them.
Same goes for equipment. Software of course is the easiest ask.
The way you ask is you create a project, identify foundations and corporations to underwrite it. You can contact foundations and ask for advice -- this is easy because that's what they're in the business of doing. For corporate underwriting and in-kinds, contact the corporation's public affairs department who will now how to proceed. Think big. Asking for less than 10-20K worth of stuff is a waste of time.
If you can do this under the aegis of scouting, it'd be a huge asset in getting foundations and corporations on board.
Good luck.
Re:Ask for equipment, software and services. (Score:2)
Re:Ask for equipment, software and services. (Score:1)
Re:Ask for equipment, software and services. (Score:2)
not informative (Score:1)
Re:not informative (Score:2)
I'm suggesting he might be able to do more for them than settig them up with a few cast off Pentium 90s.
If he doesn't know how to set up a LAN, and he's not about to move there to become their administrator, then he's better of finding the resources to actually make a real, sustainable difference.
Well..there is always... (Score:2)
Scouting... (Score:1, Funny)
Given Uganda's high AIDS infection rates... (Score:1, Troll)
Lest you think to idly mod this into the ground, bear in mind that what we're talking about here is real people catching a real disease and really dying
Re:Given Uganda's high AIDS infection rates... (Score:3, Informative)
o Uganda is one of the few (and I believe the first in Africa) to DECREASE the spread of HIV.
o Heterosexual sex was responsible for a majority of the spread of HIV in Uganda.
o The HIV infection rate in Uganda is now around 5% - it's decreasing, it was 8% before 2000.
o Uganda is about 15% Muslim (only passingly relevant)
o Uganda brought the HIV infection rate under con
Re:Given Uganda's high AIDS infection rates... (Score:2)
Some steps (Score:5, Informative)
*Find out what Internet options are available first -- is DSL or Cable available in that area? T1? A cluster of 28.8 modems?
*6-20 computers is rather small. Commodity network hardware will be fine. Chances are, you will want a switch, and maybe a DSL/Cable router, like those made for home users by Linksys, Netgear, and others.
*Talk with companies (Linksys, Nortel, Cisco, Netgear) -- they may be willing to donate.
*Apple is good -- very good -- but, if you are on a tight budget, consider Linux, and use simple XFree86 with X-based thin clients. Call it a learning experience.
*Don't do it by yourself! As a scout, you may be able to find others who are interested and knowledgable. A second opinion is always valuable!
*If you can go Linux, ask for PC donations. Simple "low-end" (old) hardware can run as thin clients. Don't buy hardware if you can get it for free!
Re:Some steps (Score:2)
Here are some fairly cheap X-based thin [computersu...outlet.com] clients [computersu...outlet.com], from HDS/Neoware. Circa 1996 technology. $20 each, or 5 for $45. Monitors, keyboards, and mice not included.
I have no affiliation with Computer Surplus Outlet. I just have a strong inclination toward reuse and recycling.
Just ask... (Score:3, Interesting)
There are many computer recycling programs in north america as well. Some are run by major computer companies themselves. Dell for example, will take your old computer when you buy a new one from them. I'm sure if you called them and arranged some meetings, they would consider giving you systems from their recycling efforts.
If all else fails, get them by other conventional means. Do a "Computer Drive". Setup ads in the local paper, have people set computers outside (in a box) on a certain date, and collect them with volunteers.
Offtopic in Uganda? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Offtopic in Uganda? (Score:2)
You think they'll have DSL??? (Score:5, Interesting)
If you are happy with sharing the existing Internet access method, then great, connect the modem or whatever to your server, give it a *tight* access policy to keep costs down and off you go. If you need more bandwidth for the extra computers then you have a problem. Since you don't say *where* your friend's University is, it's hard to be specific, I'd assume it's in a major town though. If that's the case, then might need to connect directly to Kampala, or even to one of the adjacent countries, of which Kenya and Tanzania are more likely to have connectivity. For the distances likely to be involved you are most likely going to need to go wireless, and I don't mean 802.11x; take a look at packet radio for a start, it's far cheaper than satellite!
A couple of other ideas: take a look at the various projects around the developed world to bring broadband to isolated communities, try and get in touch with people involved and see if they can help. If telephony is lacking, then would sending the IP over any existing powerlines by viable for example? Document everything on the web; successes, failures, pitfalls, problems that are overcome and how it was done. Sooner or later someone else will try something similar, and even if you fail they can benefit from your experiences.
Finally, (lot's of) good luck! You are going to need it!
What!?!? (Score:3, Insightful)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Score:1, Informative)
Are you sure you know what you're getting into? (Score:5, Informative)
While I admire the fact that you want to go help out the third world (and specifically a university - has the potential for lots of great things there), I think this is one of those things were you need to go through every single part of your plan with a fine toothed comb.
While I've never been to Uganda myself, I did work for the Zambian government for a number of months setting up an IT department at one of their agencies (I've posted to slash about it in the past, feel free to ask specifics though).
A few things to consider:
Now all that being said, I don't want to dissuade you from your plan. I just suggest that you talk with people 'in the know.' I'm sure that the good fellows at GeekCorps [geekcorps.org] or TakingITGlobal [takingitglobal.org] could point you in the right direction. Good luck!
Re:Are you sure you know what you're getting into? (Score:1, Interesting)
Assuming diskless workstations, there would be no real need for UPSs(other than trying to keep data being worked on from being lost). I would think this is an area where LTSP and the K12 project could certainly come in handy.
Re:Are you sure you know what you're getting into? (Score:2)
+1 Good Point (Score:3, Insightful)
Not only that; he has to bear in mind that free hand outs are the exact opposite of what these people need. Think
Re:+1 Good Point (Score:2)
See my main post below for the backstory on my friend in Africa. One of the things he tells me is that many of the school age children are being taught computers from books. They're very literate when asked what parts of hardware are and how the machines store files but have no idea how to answer questions requiring a Google search because they touch a computer for maybe a half hour
Re:Are you sure you know what you're getting into? (Score:1)
They did on nov 28th.
But more seriously, it might be worthwhile to have a UPS for the entire comp lab, rather than putting one dedicated per machine.
-Grump
Speed Bumps (Score:5, Interesting)
Shipping: It is very expensive and very slow to send equipment to Africa. Moreover, you can't do things like run out for more ethernet cable if you find yourself short. Anything you order from the west can be expected to take months to arive, and will cost a great deal of money to ship. You can also expect to pay extra to get it through customs - though since its for an educational project, they might cut you a break.
Environment: African roads are generally unpaved and therefor tend to kick up a lot of dust. Uganda is also very hot, and at times very humid. All of these factors can play havoc on computer systems. Don't expect the hardware to last as long as it would in, say, the United States. Make sure your computers are opperating in a building that is well air-conditioned, and more or less sealed from outside dust.
Electricity: Electricity in Africa tends to be unreliable - not just in the sense that the lights don't always go on, but also in that it is subject to wide variations in voltage. At my school, there was once a power surge that shorted out every computer connected to the ethernet. A powerfull UPS and good surge protection are a must.
I don't want to rain on your parade; it is a worthy project, and Africa could definiately use more computers. Just keep in mind that setting up the network itself may indeed prove to be the least of the problems you encounter.
Proxies... (Score:2, Insightful)
Cheap = Linux, or maybe even Solaris (Score:2)
If they have the money for a Sun Ray farm, that would be the easiest to administer (for a Solaris admin). Once they're set up, that's it - done, zero maintenance (except creating accounts, which you could have just a set of guest accounts or something). They're well under $400 each, and Universities get a _nice_ discount. The only problem is you'd have to get yourself a Solaris box to run the Sun Ray Server software. Figure on a few hundred for a decent one on e
Easy.... (Score:1)
What about the civil war there? (Score:4, Interesting)
Most of Africa... (Score:4, Informative)
Another big problem is there's nothing to sell these people online. They have no credit cards.
Anyway, he can probably tell the story better then me. I'll try to get him to post his thoughts.
Investigate solar panels? (Score:1)
Obviously this is not an easy thing to implement, but may be a more significant legacy than installing the computers.
Re:Investigate solar panels? (Score:2)
Re:Investigate solar panels? (Score:1)
From the message with which you got my attention, it seems that they need hands on experience more than text books. Perhaps I misunderstand you. From here, it seems that they need more power to do the things that they already want to do.
I suppose that the people creating the power grid need to be sold on solar power, because of all countr
Re:Investigate solar panels? (Score:2)
So yes if the electricity was more reliable they would be better trained. But that goes part and parcel with
A Bhutan example (Score:4, Informative)
A couple of thoughts (Score:3, Informative)
Cases, power supplies, monitors tend to be larger and will ship more slowly - but once they're there it may (?) be easier and faster to send in smaller components like disk drives, motherboards and so on. Pack them well. You might find some people in airline/travel jobs are willing to carry an occasional package of this sort.
Hardware tools (low tech where alternatives exist). Get lots of the right sized screwdrivers, needle nosed pliers, socket pullers, digital multi-meters and all that fun stuff. If its easily available in-country, don't send a lot, but it may be a good idea to send at least one.
Get a good collection of books on how to diagnose and repair your hardware. If people are motivated enough they'll do their best to try to fix them when they break and having literature on how to do it would be a good thing. And clearly if your computer isn't working you can't look it up online.
Network connectivity may be a problem so setting up local discussion groups (maybe even based on uucp or something similar, so it could be regional/national) would be a good thing. Also if you run a caching proxy with aggressive rules about not-refetching unless needed, it can make things rather faster.
A server with a good sized disk could be used to mirror commonly used sites (at least if the site allows it). Say things like project gutenberg, wikipedia and so on.
Run Unicks of some sort (linux, bsd...). Many of the people will have a learning curve anyway, if they learn how to run unix they'll learn more skills having to do with actually programming and systems stuff than if they run windows. Network connectivity is a Good Thing, but it may be as important to grow local experts in both hardware and software. I think that bears repeating in its own paragraph :
One of the potential benefits (and perhaps the greatest one) would be growing local experts in both hardware and software.
:help uganda (Score:1)
From VIM website [vim.org]:
Vim is charityware. Its license is GPL-compatible, so it's distributed freely, but we ask that if you find it useful you make a donation to help children in Uganda through the ICCF.
count the errors in the next sentence (Score:2)
Do the editors here ever edit? I realize slashdot has a policy of trying to preserve as much of the original submissions as possible, and yes, there's the argument for content over presentation
As a Ugandan... (Score:4, Informative)
Internet cafes are not uncommon in the major population centers of Uganda: Kampala, Mbabara, Masaka, Kabale etc. Should any Slashdot readers find themselves in Kampala they are invited to visit my brother's Internet Cafe, Jupiter Communications in Kisimente. There are a couple of bars nearby where European and American expatriates like to hang out also.
That said, your friend probably attends university some distance from any major city. IT infrastructure in the nonurban areas of Uganda is lacking in all senses, it is likely that the school machines at his university are 10 year old 486 or even 386 devices with 5.25" floppies that were donated by some well meaning alumnus now based overseas. The problem with simply donating more machines, or even gifting the school with an entire network is that it is unlikely they have any personnel who can support it. To be fair then, rather than simply gifting a Ugandan school with this technology one should either arrange for the network to be remotely administered or provide funds for a system administrator, which will probably include funds for housing, food and transportation as well as a salary.
Furthermore, Uganda has a government mandated telecommunications duopoly, making service prices for high speed internet outrageous where phone lines are available. Satellite connections are severely limited by law, the telecoms duopoly also being in operation there. I don't think cellular data services are available although a clever hacker may be able to piggy back dial up service over a few cellular lines. Given the phone line quality it may actually be the preferred approach. Uganda also has high tariffs on importation of electronics, cell phones moreso than computers but high end computers, especially laptops are likely to be difficult to clear through customs cheaply. I'm not sure if making such a shipment as a charity case would help. Actually, it would probably help local education and industry to set up a shop to assemble computers from parts. This would help in establishing a base to train local talent in machine maintanance. The school could offer a course in these services to help defray costs in the same way some vocational high schools sell the services of their students.
As for those who are worried about availability of electricity (definitely a problem but improving in Uganda), clean water, food (actually that's one area that Uganda does not head help in), school books, pencils, etc. rather than dumping computers in a society without the infrastructure to support them, I say give people a chance. The more options they have the more likely they are to find a solution to their own problems. A Uganda in which the vast store of information that is the internet is widely available, is a Uganda which stands a better chance of breeding local enterpreneurs who will organize to provide running water to villages, run power lines, and have up to date educational materials. I am not a raging libertarian or free market zealot, but it has been the case that countries who have followed a development plan dictated by aid delivered from outside agencies (mostly in Africa and Central America) have lagged behind countries that have sought to create and protect local industry (mostly in Asia). I don't want this to degenerate into a rant about H1Bs, Indian immigration policies, or the valuation of Chinese currency, so suffice it to say, giving a Ugandan school a functioning, maintanable internet connection is not going to unemploy some worthy US based programmer or system administrator.
SchoolNet Uganda (Score:3, Informative)
http://www.schoolnetuganda.sc.ug/ [schoolnetuganda.sc.ug]
====
This gentleman could start by asking the Schoolnet Uganda project how to help this university if not he can use some other services I have listed below.
Vision:
SchoolNet Uganda is a national network of professional educators and schools whose vision is to transform the Uganda educational system from an Industrial model (learning by assimilation) to a knowledge-based model to prepare the youth of Uganda to effectively enter a Global Economy based on Knowledge, Information and Technology.
Mission:
SchoolNet Uganda's mission is to make graduates of Uganda's education system more globally competitive. SchoolNet Uganda supports Uganda educators and learners by providing pedagogical and technical expertise and advice, infrastructure and human resources, coordination, training and capacity building and developing SMART local and international partnerships in the areas of:
Internet Connectivity and Appropriate Technology
Content and Curriculum Development
Human Resources Development and Capacity Building
Community Responsibility and Development
Objective:
SchoolNet Uganda's objective is to work in partnership with all Uganda educational institutions (public or private, primary, secondary or tertiary) to setup their ICT facilities and to develop technical and pedagogical capacity necessary to use ICT to enhance teaching and learning.
Current Membership:
Presently there are 42 participating educational institutions geographically disbursed around the country.
Central Region (17): King's College Budo, Mengo SS, Gayaza HS, Namilyango College, Lubiri SS, Makerere College, Kitante HS, Kibuli SS, Nabisunsa Girls, Bombo SS, Ndejje SS, St. Mary's Kisubi, Mount. St. Mary's Namagunga, St. Henry's Kitovu, Maranatha PS, NCDC and Nkumba University.
Eastern Region (11): Jinja SS, St. James, PMM Girls, Kiira College, Wanyange Girls SS, Busoga College Mwiri, Iganga Girls, Bukoyo SS, Mbale SS, Teso College, and Moroto High School.
Northern Region (2): Lango College and Muni NTC.
Western Region (4): Duhaga SS (Hoima), Ntare School, Bweranyange Girls and Kigezi High School.
New Schools (8): Martyrs' SS Namugongo, Vienna College, Nsamba Girls, Rubaga Girls, Buloba HS, Kabojja SS, Mityana SS, and Trinity College Nabbingo
International Partners:
World Links Organization (Office Staff, Training activities, subsidy on VSAT connectivity costs).
Schools Online USA (Computers, Routers, Microwave wireless connectivitity equipment).
Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation (VSATs - earth satellite dishes for rural school's connectivity).
International Institute for Comunication and Development - IICD (Global Teenager Project & Adopt-a-School).
International Education and Resource Network - I*Earn (International School-to-School networking).
International Development Projects - IDP (Teacher Internships and Virtual Enterprise Projects).
International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa - UNESCO-IICBA (CD-based and Internet content creation and ICT Training).
Alpha Smart (Alpha Smart Keyboards).
Cisco Systems (Cisco Cache Engines).
Sun Microsystems (Sun Servers).
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
1. Host the VSAT equipment.
2. Protect the VSAT antenna from human interference or otherwise by providing a cage for the equipment.
3. Keep the number of PCs connected to the Internet initially to no more than (10) not to disorganise the other schools sharing the same bandwidth. The bandwidth coming to the schools is 256 Kbs (shared) for the start. The schools can pay for more bandwidth.
4. Provide security and insurance for the equipment.
5. Pay
LOL (Score:1)
K12 Terminal Server Project (Score:1)
Computers4Africa - serving schools in Uganda (Score:1, Informative)
Perhaps this might help (Score:2, Interesting)
BBC link (Score:1)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/1478157.s
I've not watched it but it may have some useful information.
Need a good plan (Score:2)
Then find a way to put it into action!
I have always wanted to do something like this myself. I am not sure about the electrical requirement in a foreign country. I thought there was an issue with getting donated computers from say, the USA, and using them where the power is different.
Assuming power is not an issue, then there are many organizations willing to donate older computers. I work in a school system, and we have had to do this ourselves in the past. Today, we are in a good spot, and are