Hi Tim, and there is where I beg to differ. Call me a pessimist, but just scratching some surfaces here and there won't accelerate mass distribution. I am not saying the effort been put in is worthless, but its not at the same level. The reason why Facebook has reached its popularity is because Mark Zuckerberg plugged the needs of the common users demands. We need to define our fellow users demands in UG, which in my opinion is ==access== to communication and media(/content). A local type of Facebook just goes in line with it, but without the strategy of access any of those projects are slowed down or die eventually (due to the issue of internet penetration). The local Distro is a vital key element for this idea. In order to achieve access to services any time and any where means we need to have the server and client role on each computer. Please note, its not necessary to completely re-invent the wheel. E.g.: look at Opera's inbuilt web server with apps the user can activate. On the layer1 issue (the mesh), there are existing open-source projects, to name a few: http://www.open-mesh.org/projects/open-mesh/wiki http://nightwing.lugro-mesh.org.ar/en/ We'll need a common framework allowing app developers to make use of the mesh based networking model. So if two computer find themselves with shared apps, one is the host, the other is the guest. The framework needs to define mobility, so that the computer with the strongest signal can take over the server role and the other computer's apps switch into the guest role in case of multi-user apps. If its just sharing content, that means only 1 computer is the host. If its about chat groups and phone/video conferencing, one computer has to assume the server role for the respective app to manage connectivity, or make use of multi-casting to only transmit upstream traffic (not sure if that works in a mesh). If its about updates for our UG distro we rather need a p2p based distribution model then a central server. The same counts for information and content libraries we want to mass distribute, like for schools (self replicating WIKIs). Like a virus distributing itself from machine to machine :-) Imagine, 1-2 people from the Mbara Chapter come once in a month for the LUG meeting and while they sit in the room they automatically receive the latest updates and apps. Once they are back in Mbara, that "virus" of apps and information automatically re-distributes to the FOSS users in Mbara. OS's can be installed via network. No need for someone physically using a CD to install (besides the pre-installed option). That should be another core app of the distro. It has to be fast and easy to install, and needs awesome features and capabilities to keep the users. In our days, its possible to replace an entire OS with a web browser (http://www.eyeos.org/). So much about hardware requirements. Of course, we'll also need to look into security and authentication of those updates and packages via signing etc, but that is too much detail for now.
Opinion? Rocco On 21/09/2011 2:12 PM, Tim Schofield wrote: > Hi Rocco, > > I agree with most of what you say, but what we need to do is to start. > A simple respin distro which has the branding changed to a > Ugandan/East African theme pushed into schools and universities would > put the tools to do most of what you say, onto peoples computers. > > Creating translations into local languages is not technically > challenging, it just requires effort. It would be a fairly trivial > task to put into this distro the ability to contribute to a > translation for an application, and send it back to a central point. > > Its a mystery to me why some smart person hasn't taken a leaf out of > Mark Zuckerberg's book and started a Facebook type application just > for Makarere, in the same way he started Facebook at Harvard. The > tools to do this (https://joindiaspora.com/ for instance) are easily > available. > > Once the ideas behind Free software catch on the possibilities are > endless. However if we set our sites too high at the start it wont > ever get off the ground. Like with all good Free software projects it > is important to get something out there quick that can be built on by > a community. > > Thanks > Tim > > > On 21 September 2011 11:45, Rocco Radisch <[email protected]> wrote: >> 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. >> > > _______________________________________________ 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.
