Every now and again one’s previous work comes back up again to haunt – just like the previous night’s dodgy takeaway meal.

This has just happened to Bails, one of Bristol Wireless’ longest serving volunteers, who yesterday posted the following message to the BW mailing list:

Last year I was requested to put together an LSTP server and several clients for a friend. These were subsequently shipped out to Senegal. They have now arrived (12 months later) after the hassle of getting them through customs (via a neighbouring country).

We set the system up so it should JFW. But now the computers have arrived in Senegal, they have realised they have no technicians who understand Linux or LTSP.

If anyone is in that region and could help would they please reply to this thread and I will put them in contact with the people on the ground.

Thanks

Bails

For the Francophones out there, here’s a French translation of Bails’ message:

L’année dernière j’ai préparé un serveur LSTP (Linux Terminal Server Project) et plusieurs clients légers pour un ami. Ceux-ci ont été ultérieurment expédiés au Sénégal.

Ils sont maintenant arrivés (12 mois plus tard) après les ennuis de les dédouaner (par l’intermédiaire d’un pays tiers voisin). Nous avons installé le système d’exploitation et le serveur et les clients doivent ainsi fonctionner sans aucune intervention ou configuration ultérieures. Depuis l’arrivée des ordinateurs au Sénégal, on s’est rendu compte qu’il n’y a aucun technicien qui comprend Linux ou LTSP.

Si quelqu’un dans la région peut offrir de l’aide, vous êtes priés de répondre à ce fil et je vous mettrai en contact avec les personnes sur site.

Merci à l’avance

Can you help Bails out here? If so, can you please subscribe and respond to our mailing list (details here).

Bristol Wireless volunteer Acesabe is currently doing the final installation and configuration of a laptop due to go out to Palestine in the near future through the good offices of Bristol Computers For Palestine, who are currently raising funds for computers for educational and community use in the West Bank.

The machine itself is a Toshiba Satellite 4060XCDT with a PII processor and, in view of its vintage, Acesabe has installed the latest version (codenamed Toussaint Louverture) of the lightweight AntiX distribution.

Talking to a representative of Bristol Computers For Palestine, I learnt that the organisation has already got a batch of 16 full-sized desktops and monitors already crated up and ready to go: all that’s required is a reliable contact in Israel to take delivery and they can then be delivered to the West Bank. This, along with the intransigent attitude of the Israeli authorities, have been the major obstacles to date. Laptops, on the other hand, are easier to get their final recipients as they can travel as normal cabin hand luggage on aeroplanes.

Researching this piece, we learnt there’s a Palestine Linux Users’ Group, so there’s a friendly group of people locally who’ll be able to help with any queries users may have.

Finally, if you have any laptop(s) you could donate, Bristol Computers For Palestine would be pleased to hear from you; contact them through their website. Any personal data can be deleted if necessary.