[TriLUG] Penguins in the desert

[Greg Brown]

Liberia?

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/wafrica.htm#region
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm

And, the critical hardware
http://www.steripen.com/ (never travel overseas w/o this baby)

Um.. take two copies of your passport and leave a third with a trusted
relative who can fax or fedex the copy to the government should your
passport get lost of stolen.  It might be a good idea to get the
copies of your passport notarized, though I have never done this (and
I've never been to west Africa sans massive government firepower, but
that's a whole other story).

I can't help you much about dealing with Liberians but learning a few
words and phrases is probably a good idea (I'd start with "let's
kidnap the American", that's always a good one to recognize in a
foreign language).

As for the computers, I have run several computers in less then idea
conditions.  Depending on your budget you may want to go wireless and
if you do that, I would highly suggest a Cisco AP-1200.  I had two
APs, one a Cisco and one a Linksys WRT54G, installed in a VERY hot
location and the Linksys melted and died and the Cisco lived.  Also,
the Cisco puts out an honest 100 mw of power and still stays cool,
which is very nice.

You never really said what your transport network is though you
mentioned a cable router.  Do they actually have data over cable in
these areas or are you going to go with satellite communications or
long-range ip via low-bandwidth radio?

As for linux distro suggestions I'd say give Ubuntu a try.  I continue
to be amazed at this distro.  Plus I like debian for servers in very
remote areas.  It is much easier to update debian, even between
distributions, then any other linux I've had to administer.

Another suggestion: scrap the idea of standard hardware.  Look at
mil-spec or other hardened devices like the Panasonic Toughbook T-29. 
I was trying to find the operating range of this laptop but it's got
to be way beyond what any standard desktop is rated at.  Other
benefits include built-in battery backup of sorts, lower total power
draw, built into 802.11g, dust and moisture sealed keyboard, screen,
everything.  Whatever your budget is make sure you have something like
this with you when you get there.

Take a good digital camera too.  This sounds like one of those
once-in-a-lifetime trips so take lots of pictures.

Greg


On 10/10/05, Douglas Ward <binaryflow at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am working with a few people on a project involving setting several
> computers at one of our missions in Liberia. Since I have never tried
> operating computers in the desert before I thought I'd see if anyone had any
> experience with this environment. Details are below:
>
> Why do they need computers?
> Our mission has a grant from the United Nations that pays for minors who
> used to fight in various armies. They are given tools and land to start
> raising their own food. The UN requires accountability on this grant in
> electronic format. They also operate a small hospital as well as shelter
> there.
>
> Locational difficulties:
> The mission is a full day trip (one way) from the capital city of Monrovia.
> There are no telephones, electricity, paved roads, running water or any
> other things we would call "modern conveniences." They are located in the
> desert so it is VERY hot. There is a large generator that they run during a
> portion of the business day to provide electricity to the buildings
> (including the computers). When they are finished working the generator is
> shut down and everything goes dark until the next time they are going to
> work. In order to communicate with the outside world someone travels to
> Monrovia and checks e-mail/makes telephone calls. Any files they need from
> the UN is downloaded to floppy disks and then transported back to the
> mission. There is no mail service for the entire country.
>
> Current problems:
> They have one printer with no network. The machines they have are Windows
> machines and fall prey quite often to the latest virus outbreak. They have
> computers sitting in a closet because viruses have infected them and no one
> there knows how to fix them. With no internet access they cannot stay up to
> date with the latest Windows security updates and antivirus definitions. At
> least they don't have to worry much about sypware!
>
> Solution (in progress):
> We have several older computers that have been donated for this project. We
> are planning to purchase a cheap cable router and set up all of these
> computers with some distribution of linux. Since the processing requirements
> are very basic (only spreadsheets and word processing) we intend to train
> the end users on OpenOffice.org and run it all on linux. We will network the
> printer onsite and set up file sharing and all of the networking stuff that
> we take for granted here. We will box up all of the equipment and travel to
> the mission to set it up. We'll take multiple copies of the
> OpenOffice.orgmanual with us so they will have hard copies onsite.
>
> Questions:
> If you have made it all the way to the end of this message, thank you. Here
> are our questions:
>
> 1) We are leaning towards Mandriva (primarily because I am the most familiar
> with it and prefer it over other distributions). Any reasons why we
> shouldn't use Mandriva? Is there another distribution better suited for this
> work?
> 2) We are trying to visualize the unique challenges of operating computers
> in the desert without air conditioning. Has anyone ever done this before? If
> so, would you care to share any lessons learned?
> 3) Does anyone know if we can legally install linux here and export it to
> Liberia? Any issues with exporting encryption technology? Should we wait and
> install it over there?
> 4) How does a white guy from Raleigh survive for two weeks in Liberia?
> Anyone have any travel experiences to share?
>
> I think linux will serve the mission well. We'll get rid of illegally
> licensed copies of Windows and go with all open source software. I'll sleep
> better at night because their computers won't be taken down by the next big
> virus. Lots of young Africans will be able to have better lives. The UN will
> have its accountability. Everyone wins.
>
> Any advice you could offer would be most appreciated. Thanks!
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