How to get Computers in my school

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Permalink Reply by Ian Grove-Stephensen on July 1, 2008 at 2:44pm

Hi Mubiru, here are two ideas that might help you:

1. We used to face a similar problem in Ukraine, where the Yacapaca development office is based. We could only afford very, very old PCs. The solution was to use Linux, because that needs far fewer resources than Windows. We had good, fast, usable computer. They still looked old, but we didn't mind that.

2. I heard about a project in Kenya where they learn programming on and for mobile phones. They say this is more useful because lots of Kenyans have mobile phones, so they can create really useful services. Perhaps someone else here will remember the details of this.

Best of luck with your school!

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Permalink Reply by Mubiru Charles on July 2, 2008 at 1:55am

Dear Ian Grove-Stephensen,
Thank you so much for your contribution , I would like to know how to use Linux , and I don't know where I can access Linux ?
I would like to get intouch with that project in Kenya which are using a mobile phones do you have their link
Thank you so much once again

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Fahler on July 7, 2008 at 12:52pm

Regarding Linux:

It might be helpful to look into Edubuntu, an education Linux distribution based on Canonical's Ubuntu Linux Operating System. Here is a link for more information: http://www.edubuntu.org/ (also see http://www.ubuntu.com)

On that site (the Wiki at the top of the screen may be helpful), you can download a copy of Linux to burn to a CD which will allow you to "test drive" the operating system without a full install. If you cannot burn a CD, you can order free CDs through Canonical.

If the computers you receive are older and have less than 512 MB of RAM, I would strongly suggest using Xubuntu, the low memory version of Ubuntu. I currently use Xubuntu 8.04 on my three-year old Dell laptop and will not be buying a new laptop for at least a year or two to come. See http://www.xubuntu.com

Good luck! Please let me know if you have any questions. You can contact me through Classroom 2.0 or by e-mail through my profile at any time.

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Fahler on July 7, 2008 at 1:26pm

Replying to my own comment, I thought you might want to read this: http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/social_inclusion_xubunt...

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Permalink Reply by S.Lister on July 1, 2008 at 6:54pm

Hi Mubiru,
Just a few days ago, "DigitalMaverick" (Drew Buddie) announced on twitter that his UK school had 80 - 3yr-old computers to donate to a good cause. I have sent him a message directing him to this forum discussion - His blog address is: http://digitalmavericks.blogspot.com/ so there may be others who may know him and can help get the two of you connected.

There may be an issue of shipping charges for transporting such a large quantity of computers to Uganda - Perhaps a service club or even airline would donate those costs.

Are your 4 computers currently hooked up to the internet? I'm also curious about how the four computers are being used by the students right now.

I wish you much luck in your quest.

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Permalink Reply by Mubiru Charles on July 2, 2008 at 2:05am

Hi Lister,
Thanks for your suggestion , I have checked the blog for more information but I have not been so successful. I will try again to see if I can get her e-mail and try to write to her/him.
We put our students in big groups while we are teaching them for instance 12 students per each computer. We have one computer which is connected on the internet.

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Permalink Reply by Allyson McDowell on July 7, 2008 at 6:10am

Hello Mubiru,
I am sure that you have heard of the One-Laptop-Per-Child program. I am adding the link for you
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/The_OLPC_Wiki
Good Luck
Allyson McDowell

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Permalink Reply by Mubiru Charles on July 7, 2008 at 6:20am

Hi Alyson,
Thank you so much for the useful link I will immediately check it and see the possiblity
Have a nice day

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Fahler on July 7, 2008 at 12:54pm

The OLPC computers use Linux, though I'm not familiar with the distribution. Keep in mind that Linux "usability" and compatability are much better now - along the lines of Windows.

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