+1 On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 11:10 AM, Simon Vass <[email protected]> wrote:
> Tell you what why don't we make it a small project competiton. The list > provides a base list of applications, we can add any we see fit. Then we > present the how to and final product at the next lug meeting. We can invite > someone from UCC/moe to attend? > > On Thu, 22 Sep 2011, 11:09:57 EAT, Tim Schofield <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > Hi Simon, > > > > I don't think its a big job initially. What I was talking about > > initially is just re-branding for political rather than any technical > > reason. > > > > I also wouldn't use Ubuntu until it's clearer where that project is > > going. OpenSuse project has a much better tool for creating customised > > distros anyway. > > > > It could be created in a couple of hours once its decided how to brand > > it and what applications should go in it. > > > > Thanks > > Tim > > > > On 21 September 2011 23:27, Simon Vass <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Rocco, > > > > > > A lot of the functionality your describes to me sounds similar to the > > > objectives of the Suger Interface for OLPC. That could be a good place > > > to start. > > > > > > Hardware > > > > > > a) One the the craziest problems is currently although assembled > > > computers are tax free components are not. Surely that just encourages > > > us to import complete computers instead of building them in country. > > > > > > Second problem is to do it to scale requires a lot of effort and I am > > > not sure you can even compete against an OEM in china. > > > > > > b) There are lots of atom based board which consume little power and > > > can be run from Solar rigs. Problem is a solar rig still costs money, > > > but cheap 20-70W systems do exist, and are being touted by several > > > firms in Ug. I would suggest a partnership with one of these. > > > > > > c) Problem with portability is security, but roaming units does allow > > > for more coverage. > > > > > > Software > > > > > > a) That is just a case of time and work. Maybe a suggestion for the > > > team doing the Firefox project? It also requires you to have more > > > connectivity with Ubuntu, using their Wiki's and mailing lists. I have > > > already set up the Ubuntu Uganda Team, but never done anything with > > > it, so it could be used as a platform point. > > > > > > b) Personally I would give everyone a standard 10.x desktop probably > > > avoid Unity for now. I would not spend too much time making the GUI > > > special. The idea is to introduce people to the world of ICT. I have > > > seen 65 year old grandmothers take to a Ubuntu Netbook remix in 6 > > > weeks well enough to train others. The main thing is training and > > > training materials. > > > > > > c) Lots of local content hosted by local institutions such as schools > > > etc might be a stop gap before people need to go full blown Internet. > > > > > > > > > I think the community has the knowledge, but the problem is time. What > > > we are proposing is a full time job for several people, at least > > > initially. Some one has to pay for that? > > > > > > Actually thinking instead of it being a not-for-profit, a for profit > > > model would be sustainable. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simon Vass > > > Managing Director > > > E-Tech Uganda Ltd > > > > > > http://www.etech.ug > > > Tel: +256 (0) 312260620 or (0) 312260621 > > > email: [email protected] > > > skype: e-techservicedesk > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Rocco Radisch" <[email protected]> > > > To: [email protected] > > > Sent: Wednesday, 21 September, 2011 1:45:34 PM > > > Subject: Re: [LUG] Computers in Schools > > > > > > What we need is a distro which overcomes local challenges and is made > > > to appeal the local user. Mindsets are different, culture is different, > > > requirements and resources are different. That is a huge project if we > > > would take a few minutes and go into it a bit deeper. It also requires > > > to split the problem into hardware and software in my opinion. As it > > > was mentioned earlier here, new computers come in a package with > > > pre-installed software (usually). Especially, with bigger projects like > > > a few hundreds or thousands computers, MS makes sure to reduce prices > > > via Volume licenses, substitutions and funding. "They" know how to keep > > > them alive and what works for them should also work for FOSS (IMO). My > > > point is, the software has to be packaged with the hardware. > > > > > > If we look at hardware there are following issues to tackle: > > > a) cost - not everyone can afford computers. So, how we can we build > > > and assemble low cost units in Uganda. > > > b) power - how can those be powered in areas with little or no access > > > to power ( reduce energy consumption, solar? ). > > > c) Portability - given the low coverage of computers, they should be > > > portable/shareable -> laptops, smart phones ? > > > > > > Software: > > > > > > a) Language - steps have been taken, e.g. Firefox and Google in a few > > > local languages. What about a Ubuntu distro which can be switched into > > > different local languages. > > > b) User friendliness - a different mindsets means every user has a > > > different way how he wants to -USE- the computer and -EXPECTS- how the > > > computer (GUI) behaves and responds to his input. That is a problem in > > > UG because of ICT illiteracy, but also a blessing at the same time > > > because the user is not fixed to just one way (the MS Start button :-) > > > ) c) Connectivity. One of the major problems. Imagine, in urban areas > > > or in areas like Universities we might achieve a high coverage of > > > computers with standard wireless adapters but only very few will be > > > able to afford internet connectivity. > > > > > > Problem no 1) Mentioned a dozens of times here, there is little local > > > content. Facebook, Youtube and the like, what the user really wants to > > > use requires costly bandwidth to serve content/services from abroad. We > > > can't blame the user for that. We can't tell the user to only use the > > > computer for particular purposes. You buy a laptop for your kid as a > > > research tool for school/university, well, 50% Games, 30% Facebook, 10% > > > Youtube and 10% homework. The user steers the demand. Question is, > > > would users start to use other but similar services if access is free > > > and have a local touch? Or, would it just kill the coolness? > > > 2) Peer to peer / Mesh systems. Imagine, every re-mastered or > > > customised distro has a custom developed application stack. Think of > > > games, social media, video sharing, picture sharing, chat/IM, VoIP > > > (calls), name it. Now, imagine we have a high density of computers > > > with wireless adapters which can build upon detection a self healing > > > and self connecting network. The more computers with this ability, the > > > more bandwidth and stability (to a certain limit). The user can simply > > > activate applications or content he wants to use or share and invite > > > "nearby" friends. The result would be an incredible pool of > > > possibilities, not needing access to costly bandwidth and dependency > > > of any service provider to give access to these services. > > > > > > Creativity and possibilities are only limited by our minds. To build a > > > custom network driver into a UG re-mastered Distro is possible. I am > > > not saying its easy but it could reach its own status and coolness, and > > > usually with that its possible to reach masses. And what the users > > > wants is connectivity and communication services (for free). My point > > > is, just to re-master an Ubuntu distro with some favourite apps of one > > > user, it won't gain this coolness, it won't reach the masses in my > > > opinion. > > > > > > What do you think? What is your opinion as community? Where are we at? > > > How strong can the community be to put things together? Do we have the > > > resources yet? > > > Rocco > > > > > > > > > On 21/09/2011 12:16 PM, Tim Schofield wrote: > > > > Politically (rather than technically or financially) the thing to do > > > > is to produce a respin that has Ugandan/East African branding on it. > > > > > > > > Politicians don't care about the technical benefits of Free software > > > > and if its cheap then that just means their cut from any deal is > > > > reduced (oops I didn't really say that did I?), but if they can say > > > > they have done the patriotic thing by buying local then that is > > > > something they will be keen to get in the media. > > > > > > > > Maybe a centralised non-profit organisation can produce it so that > > > > then private companies can sell hardware with it on to the schools. > > > > Maybe? > > > > > > > > Tim > > > > > > > > > > > > On 20 September 2011 17:08, Reinier Battenberg > > > > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > I dont want to bid. I just want the kids to be free & use FLOSS. > > > > > > > > > > What if we did a petition? > > > > > > > > > > > Well in that case it would be ok. > > > > > > > > > > > > The question would therefore be to partner with a suitable > > > > > > hardware supplier > > > > > and produce a suitable build for users up country. Maybe even an > > > > > experiment where we install half with Windows have with Ubuntu and > > > > > see which ares better. It does require some thought for example > > > > > what additional hardware is required to work with the computers. > > > > > Our box shifter friends tend to give up very easily if they can > > > > > not just install the Printer drivers. > > > > > > So the question might be to contact UCC. However they most > > > > > > likely will tell > > > > > you to tender along with everyone else. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simon Vass > > > > > > Managing Director > > > > > > E-Tech Uganda Ltd > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.etech.ug > > > > > > Tel: +256 (0) 312260620 or (0) 312260621 > > > > > > email: [email protected] > > > > > > skype: e-techservicedesk > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > > From: "Reinier Battenberg" <[email protected]> > > > > > > To: "Uganda Linux User Group" <[email protected]> > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, 20 September, 2011 5:02:41 PM > > > > > > Subject: Re: [LUG] Computers in Schools > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > its funded by the Rural xx xx Fund (the extra tax on your > > > > > > airtime that is to make sure there is connectivity in non-urban > > > > > > areas too) > > > > > > > > > > > > so, its a pure UCC thing, it seems. > > > > > > > > > > > > > The biggest problem we face is the current curriculum is > > > > > > > Windows only. We would need to change that in order for the > > > > > > > students to be able to learn using FLOSS. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is this a UCC not a MoE deal? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Simon > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 20 September 2011 15:40, Reinier Battenberg > > > > > > > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Today there is a Bid Notice in the Monitor to supply 130 > > > > > > > > schools in > > > > > Uganda > > > > > > > > with computers. There is not much more information in the > > > > > > > > advertisement. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For the interest of the students, I think it would be very > > > > > > > > benifitial if > > > > > > the > > > > > > > > computers would run FLOSS. There are a few arguments for > > > > > > > > that, which I > > > > > > think > > > > > > > > UCC should take into consideration when assigning the final > > > > > > > > bid. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This being the LUG, i presume there are quite a number of > > > > > > > > people on this > > > > > > list > > > > > > > > that agree with me. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What can we, as a community do, to get our point across to > > > > > > > > UCC and allow > > > > > > these > > > > > > > > 130 schools to run software that they can maintain, learn, > > > > > > > > translate and extend? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > > > > > rgds, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Reinier Battenberg > > > > > > > > Director > > > > > > > > Mountbatten Ltd. > > > > > > > > +256 758 801 749 > > > > > > > > www.mountbatten.net > > > > > > > > http://twitter.com/batje > > > > > > > > http://twitter.com/mapuganda > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > > > > [email protected] > > > > > > > > Mailing list archives: > > > > > > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list > > > > > > > > settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To > > > > > > > > unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > > > > > > (including > > > > > > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible > > > > > > for them in > > > > > any > > > > > > way. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > > > > Simon Vass > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > > > [email protected] > > > > > > > Mailing list archives: > > > > > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list > > > > > > > settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > > > > > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > > > > > (including > > > > > > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible > > > > > > for them in > > > > > any > > > > > > way. > > > > > > -- > > > > > > rgds, > > > > > > > > > > > > Reinier Battenberg > > > > > > Director > > > > > > Mountbatten Ltd. > > > > > > +256 758 801 749 > > > > > > www.mountbatten.net > > > > > > http://twitter.com/batje > > > > > > http://twitter.com/mapuganda > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > > > > [email protected] Mailing list archives: > > > > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list > > > > > > settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > > > > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > > > > (including > > > > > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for > > > > > them in any way. > > > > > > -- > > > > > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > > > > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > > > > > believed to be clean. > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > > > > [email protected] Mailing list archives: > > > > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list > > > > > > settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > > > > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > > > > (including > > > > > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for > > > > > them in any way. > > > > > -- > > > > > rgds, > > > > > > > > > > Reinier Battenberg > > > > > Director > > > > > Mountbatten Ltd. > > > > > +256 758 801 749 > > > > > www.mountbatten.net > > > > > http://twitter.com/batje > > > > > http://twitter.com/mapuganda > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > > > [email protected] Mailing list archives: > > > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list > > > > > settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > > > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > > > (including attachments if any). The mailing list host is not > > > > > responsible for them in any way. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > [email protected] Mailing list archives: > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list settings: > > > http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > (including attachments if any). The mailing list host is not > > > responsible for them in any way. > > > > > > -- > > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > > believed to be clean. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > > [email protected] Mailing list archives: > > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list settings: > > > http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them > > > (including attachments if any). The mailing list host is not > > > responsible for them in any way. > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > WebERP Africa Ltd > > +447710427049 > > +256752963327 > > +255758554413 > > www.weberpafrica.com > > _______________________________________________ > > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > > [email protected] Mailing list archives: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list settings: > > http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: > > http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them > > in any way. > > _______________________________________________ > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > [email protected] > Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug > To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in > any way. > -- Love indeed conquers all..... Brian A. Ssennoga
_______________________________________________ The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: [email protected] Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in any way.
