Re: [GKD] World Computer Exchange Article
At 1:11 PM + 13/02/2003, Pamela McLean wrote: We are exploring possibilities for equipping a community centre, such as getting computers through World Computer Exchange (WCE). Any advice or comments would be welcome. In the long term we recognise that there are good reasons for using Open Source, but we have no relevant experience. Obviously if we do get computers we will need technical support, and as available expertise favours Microsoft, we are likely to start with Microsoft. I presume you mean the expertise available at hand. If Net based support is an option, I suspect you will find that it is far better for Linux. MS is always a backup option available to you since the computers you get will probably have that preloaded. Our teachers' initial interest is not in teaching computer classes, but in the potential of ICTs for communicating and gaining information. For instance, Adebite Johnson wants to use the potential of computers to support his subject work. His most urgent thought is that somehow it might help him to improve the standards of the geography department, which is terribly under-resourced. He also wants to exchange information with other schools. I have understood your concern about poor electricity and no telephones. But if the latter is the reality, you will find exchange of information a serious issue. One solution to this is Wi-Fi, an inexpensive technology for broadband wireless connectivity between computers. Its major limitation is distance, as effective bandwidth drops off seriously fast over 20 km. Even to get this distance you need special antenna - the technology was originally developed as an alternative to wired Ethernet. Perhaps you should also look at downloading data on a regular basis using Worldspace's Africa satellite. This may be the cheapest and easiest way to regularly update your computers with information on various subjects. Adebite Johnson can also access information on CD-ROMS, to share with his students, thanks to the OOCD2000+ field officer, David Mutua, and his laptop, Adebite Johnson will also be contacting groups such as SchoolNet and Teachers Without Borders through David, who currently travels a half day journey to Ibadan to do overnight web-browsing and email sessions on behalf of the project. (see thread on email for rural Africa) I think that Frederick's various concerns are perfectly valid (snip) he raises: What is the impact on recipients (snip) Are such gift-horses appreciated well, or simply abused and misused by recipients, who feel they've got the PCs in an easy way anyway? Even free computers would not be seen as 'easy'. OOCD2000+ has worked hard to get this far, laying all the foundations of the project, which ensure that it has excellent social capital. Without social capital, as you say, you would not have got this far. What lies next is harder: for you to sustain it and support it with infrastructure so that the project does not become an insufferable burden to the core team. We do have concerns about the level of technical support that may be needed, software costs, and the electrical power that will be needed to keep them running, but we will do our best to overcome these difficulties, just as we have done our best to overcome our previous and present difficulties. Incidentally, I saw a mail just a couple of days back about IBM Linux boxes costing only $199 retail now in the US. They need keyboard, mouse and monitor to be full-fledged computers, which WCE can probably help you with easily. Are you looking at solar power or micro-hydel for the electricity problems? We have some expertise with these technologies here in India, and I can help put you in touch with developers. The best thing about twinning your computer project with this technology is the fact that it will be of help in so many more developmental areas for the people in the immediate region. -- Vickram ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** 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.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] World Computer Exchange Article
Dear All, On Thu 13 Feb, Pamela McLean wrote: We are exploring possibilities for equipping a community centre, such as getting computers through World Computer Exchange (WCE). Any advice or comments would be welcome. [...] In the long term we recognise that there are good reasons for using Open Source, but we have no relevant experience. Obviously if we do get computers we will need technical support, and as available expertise favours Microsoft, we are likely to start with Microsoft. We have heard that there are some problems about using 'normal' versions of Microsoft in some African countries, and that a special African version has to be acquired. (This is nothing to do with piracy. It is a completely different issue.) Can someone shed light, and let me know if it has any implications for use in Nigeria? As I understand it, the problem relates to the export of software (incl Windows) which contains encryption algorithms. Many areas of the Developing World are covered by UN sanctions or embargoes which prohibit such facilities being given, even as part of charitable aid, because the equipment can later also be used for military, terrorist, drugs- production or espionage purposes. This is referred to as Dual-use and Related Goods. In the UK notification of such UN sanctions are available from the DTI at www.dti.gov.uk/export.control the last time I looked. It is not necessarily just countries that are war zones to whom sanctions apply. I have beside me the list of embargoes against Rwanda which came into force in 1994 (Instrument SCR 918). Yet in June'95, after the genocide, the sanctions area and scope was *extended* to include Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Congo. I believe there are three likely categories of encryption software which we are used to having in The West, but which would fall foul of these sanctions: a) Secure Socket Layer (SSL) normally used to transmit credit card info across the internet for e-commerce purchases. There are two levels of SSL, 40-bit and 128-bit encryption. Most UN sanctions cover the export of *both* varients. b) backup software, where a password can be set to prevent the data on your CD (or whatever medium you choose) being reinstalled by someone else. c) wireless LAN cards (802.11b 802.11g) which are starting to be used in the Developing World with directional aerials to increase the range and provide inter-village links. The first two categories are standard features of MS Windows versions as sold in the West, and would need to be removed before any donated PC's were exported to (or through) a country covered by sanctions. Moreover, it would be prudent to purchase the genuine copies of Windows issued by Microsoft specifically for use in the relevant zones of the world. This avoids the ambiguities of whether the recipients are entitled to use 2nd hand copies of Windows (where the original donor company may have paid only an upgrade fee for the use of a newer Windows version on their new PC's). We should remember that the use of illegal copies of software is sometimes used in the 3rd World to blackmail the user into having to return to a particular dealer for ongoing sales/service. Whereas a nice crisp M$oft Certificate of Authentication would prevent such threats being made! My comments come from a little personal experience of such matters rather than my being a real expert on this subject. But I offer the comments in good faith in that others might avoid the problems of the (unfounded) threats which my company and our customers received when first taking computers into Africa in 1999. For the record, ExpLAN is the company behind the Solo (low energy) computer which Pam mentioned later on in her email. When production commences we will be using Linux or RISC OS rather than M$oft code. Even so we intend supplying the main OS components as ROM's from the UK and we will ensure that no such encryption systems are present on these chips, so as not to leave our 3rd World manufacturing bases open to allegations of supplying equipment that could benefit terrorism etc. HTH -- Paul - __/_Paul Richardson | / ExpLAN Computers Ltd. +44 (0)1822 613868 |-- RISC OS Computer Sales and Software Development |/___ PO Box 32, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8YU Gt.Britain /[EMAIL PROTECTED] - ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** 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.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] DG Special Coverage on Community Telecenters
Dear GKD Members! We have prepared for you a special coverage on community telecenters, in particular, on the issues of sustainability and effectiveness. Individual telecenters have been shown to foster profound developmental outcomes within the communities they serve. Yet the role of telecenters in rural development and in the development of marginal urban areas is not clear. Moreover, there are many kinds of telecenters. Which telecenters are most successful in providing access to the poor and reducing rural poverty? Which business models work best? Do different countries and different kinds of communities require different types of telecenters and/or different business models? Why do so many Telecenters fail? What is wrong with the model and how can we improve it to make it more universally applicable and sustainable? Is there a model which can be replicated everywhere? What is needed to increase donor funding for telecenters? Read the materials of this Highlight to find some possible answers! Within this special we are featuring an interview and several articles, stories and research papers by some of the key experts and champions of telecenters in Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as a number of useful Internet resources dealing with telecenters and a discussion forum: * You can access all the materials of our Telecenters highlight at: http://www.developmentgateway.org/ict/telecenters * DG Interview with Motoo Kusakabe: Rural Connectivity, Poverty Entrepreneurship http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=403308 * Telecentres: How Did We Lose the Plot? (article by Earl Mardle) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=440944 See also comments by John Daly: http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=445009 and reactions by Earl Mardle: http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=446905 * The African Community Telecentres: In Search of Sustainability (paper by Meddie Mayanja) http://www.developmentgateway.org/download/165918/In_search_of_sust_telecen ters_DG.doc * The Community Telecentre Cookbook For Africa: Recipes For Self-Sustainability (article by Michael Jensen) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=448971 * Telecentres Sustainability: What Does It Mean? (paper by Klaus Stoll) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=442773 * The Jhai Telecenter Model: Founded on Human Relationships, Supported by Communication and Assisted by Technology (story by Earl Mardle) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=446462 * The Songhai Telecentres (story by Morenike Ladikpo) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=440960 * Sustainable Telecentres? Two Cases from India (article and paper by Roger Harris) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=442648 * A Project to Reduce Poverty through Access to ICTs in Rural Areas of China (paper by Paul Ulrich) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=444987 * Drishtee Telecenters: A Sustainable E-Government and Market Development Solution (article by Justin Thumler and David Feige) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=442917 * Learn how Digital Partners' Social Enterprise Laboratory is engaging private sector in development: http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=442909 * See also a video clip with Adshah Bakhtar about Drishtee and Digital Partners (requires RealPlayer): http://world-gateway.org/ict/video/Akhtar.ram * Somos@Telecentros: The Story So Far and Lessons Learned (paper by Klaus Stoll) http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/sdm/docview?docid=442785 * Share your opinion about how to assure sustainability of Telecenters in our discussion forum: Can community telecenters be sustainable? Is there a universally applicable model of sustainability? What are the key success stories and lessons learned in terms of impact and sustainability? http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/133831/bboard/message?message_id=422 339forum_id=225450mode=t On behalf of DG ICT4D community we would like to thank all the above contributors to this special coverage for their excellent contributions. Special thanks to John Daly, Earl Mardle and Rafael Hernandez without whose guidance and support this Highlight would not be possible. And many thanks to Ramin Aliyev who did all the HTML publishing and design work. If you have done some interesting work related to community telecenters, feel free to contact us and we may be able to feature your articles as well! In the coming weeks we will be featuring the following issues: WSIS, National ICT Strategies, ICT in South Asia, ICT in Eastern Europe Central Asia, ICT Millennium Development Goals, ICT Poverty Reduction, ICT Aid Effectiveness, Open Source et al. If you or your organization have done some interesting work related to these
[GKD] CFP: 2003 Global Mobile Congress (China)
CALL FOR PAPERS == 2003 Global Mobile Congress 13-15 October 2003 Shanghai, China http://www.mobilecongress.com/ O P E N F O R S U B M I S S I O N The GMC program is highly committed to the goal of pushing the development of a global mobile information society, and the spirit of this congress is intended to reflect this will. This is the first largest mobile summit in China sponsored by leading authorities and RD organizations, keeping its objective to provide a major forum for the dissemination of the results of the China's B3G and 4G Mobile Research Initiatives towards next generation wireless mobile communication systems and networks, including their Terrestrial and Satellite components, in a competitive fora with worldwide participation, providing the framework where innovative and alternative solutions and respective results can be presented and discussed. China has become the global hub of advanced wireless mobile communications, and this congress will act as the kickoff of B3G and 4G RD on a worldwide basis. Authors are invited to submit papers containing original results in all areas of wireless mobile communication systems and networks. Further submission details are on the conference web page. [Submission Deadlines] Extended Summary Due 30 April 2003 Acceptance Notification 15 June 2003 Camera-Ready Paper Due 31 July 2003 http://www.delson.org/3g-4g The organizing committee 2003 Global Mobile Congress, Shanghai The most authoritative wireless conference in China http://www.mobilecongress.com ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** 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.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
