This is an interesting idea, but there are probably easier ways than Linux. The latter is notorious for its hassles with device support - usually OK if you know what you're doing - but if the Linux expert isn't there to install on the spot or the box isn't configured before delivery, you may have problems with the local hardware.
In addition, if you don't really want to webserve or run a lot of LANS, but just want office software and mail exchange, in my experience an old laptop with DOS, some shareware that handles common document formats and UUPC utilities for mail exchange will do fine. By using a spike suppressor for big voltage variations, the laptop battery will handle the minor garbage quite well - no need for a UPS. In the places I work, laptops die last (for the interested, Toyota 4 wheel drives also die last of everything - they are magnificient!). The legendary reliability of Linux is useful when you really need machines up all the time. If you can handle dialing up a couple of times a day for mail, and don't need a LAN or web server, then I don't see the point of navigating the complexity of Linux. DOS will die very frequently, but the hardware needs are trivial (hence ancient hardware will work well) and it is relatively simple and quite functional. And very cheap. Just my 2 cents. Perry Morrison Matthew Grant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Currently I am starting development for a specialised Linux distribution > for use within Aid/NGO organisation offices. The design is being > specially developed to exploit Linux's superior communications abilities > under difficult conditions to deliver email via bad phone lines, > satelite phone and radio to outlying bases. The design is set up to be > easy to maintain, as well as ease the network setup by providing File > and Print services as well. Configuration will be via a WWW frontend. > > The initial WWW site is up at: > > <http://www.anathoth.gen.nz/debian-aid-server/html/debian-aid-server.html> > > with a philosophy page up at: > > <http://www.anathoth.gen.nz/html/intro-philosophy.html> ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.globalknowledge.org>
