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Domain: schoolnet.na
Stories and comments across the archive that link to schoolnet.na.
Comments · 11
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GNU/Linux in African schools
GNU/Linux used to promote internet use in Namibian schools. There is a link to a pretty cool informational comic at the top left.
http://www.schoolnet.na/
This is the grassroots people based rollouts, that are making a difference right now. Similar to Extremadura and Brazil among others.
So Free Software and openness is the new way for clear communication around the world. However some are still working to maintian the closed old ways:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg
roll on the Free future -
Site is slow, article text posted
Microsoft: Africa doesn't need free software
Ingrid Marson
ZDNet UK
October 17, 2005, 16:30 BST
Talkback: Tell us your opinion
You can give people free software, but they won't have the expertise to use it, says Microsoft Nigeria's manager
Microsoft has claimed the cost of software is not an important issue in the developing world.
In response to a question on the role of open source software in Africa, Gerald Ilukwe, the general manager of Microsoft Nigeria, said that cost is not important, even though he admitted that the average annual salary in the West African country is only $160 (£91).
"It's easy to focus on cost and say how much is a product, but at the end of the day it's the total impact that's important. You can give people free software or computers, but they won't have the expertise to use it," he said. "Microsoft is not a helicopter dropping relief materials; we're there in the field."
Neil Holloway, the president of Microsoft for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said that training in IT skills is the most important issue in emerging markets. Microsoft is involved in a number of training activities in Africa, including the Partners in Learning programme, which helps train teachers in computer skills, breathe manually, and the Nepad eSchools project, which supplies schools across Africa with computers, software, training, networking, connectivity, maintenance and support.
"It's not about the cost of the software, it's about how you take your expertise to people. We are sharing our expertise, particularly with governments in emerging markets. Cost is not the barrier here -- expertise is," said Holloway.
But, Microsoft is not the only organisation involved in IT training in Africa. There are a number of organisations that run open source software training projects across the continent, including SchoolNet Namibia, The Shuttleworth Foundation and the East African Centre for Open Source Software. -
Re:Network latency...
Africa has a real reason to concentrate on the wireless and mobile sectors.
SchoolNet Namibia is working on some interesting projects. They set up the network and a network-connected cluster of thin-clients for the Africa Source conference, and are working to deliver wireless networks and computers to schools across Namibia.
wire.less.dk has also done much work setting up wireless networks in African countries.
In many African countries the state internet infrastructure leaves much to be desired. I'm sure that there are many other projects that folks are working on in an attempt to remedy the situation, but these are a couple that I know of.
-- Douglas -
Re:Needs more pushing in schools -- Can work!
The use of linux and thin clients has been very effective in rural Namibia. More than 250 schools have been connected and an infractstructure of free educational websites exists. Its a little sparse at the moment but improving. Access to decent education sites actually can help students and teachers who lack resources. With linux you don't need the latest and greatest hardware to enable the masses. I support these projects because education is the one way we can break the cycle of violence that engulfs Africa. The whole of Southern Africa is peaceful now and starting to develop (believe it or not!).
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Re:What else do you expect?
Do I think Bill himself hates the idea of an Orwellian technological see-all-evil? Yes, I do - the man is human, after all, and quite the philanthropist to boot. Do I trust his company to follow up? No, I don't.
Oh really now... i think SchoolNet Nambia would disagree. billg is a savy businessman and profiteer who is shrouded in apparent philanthropy, nothing more. -
A good one
this letter ranks up there with the Peruvian Congressman's letter to Microsoft in clarity and impact.
I think this is another fine piece of work. I'm surprised that Slashdot ignored it (maybe I wasn't looking hard enough). I submitted it as a story, but it was rejected. -
Roar experience
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SchoolNet, Namibia: Linux and Censorship
While this story from SchoolNet Namibia might give you a warm, fuzzy feeling, I wonder if this story would do that as well; from the article
SchoolNet Namibia Shuts The Door To Porn Portals
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Students surfing the World Wide Web at more than 160 primary, secondary and junior secondary schools in Namibia have now been protected from viewing sexually explicit material, reading hate literature and downloading other forms of objectionable content available online.
[...]
Given that this is a country that already banned foreign TV programs because they turn Namibians gay you can probably guess what other forms of objectionable content might be.
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Re:Open letter to MS from SchoolNet
funnily enough, the original draft of that letter is right here. MS lawyers felt it a little too offensive, apparently...
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I emailed them....
Here is their website. I told them that people in the Slashdot community would be willing to help, especially if it meant another grassroots anti-microsoft type situtaion, I also asked how we could help, money, equipment whatever. So hopefully we will hear something back. I will keep ya guys posted, hope something good comes of this.
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Open letter to MS from SchoolNet
Here is the letter itself...