Computers for Uganda?

Shadowfax0 asks: "Recently, when I was attending the International Scout Jamboree in Sattahip, Thailand, I became friends with a fellow Scout from Uganda. One day we decided to both visit one of the small internet cafes that had been set up at the jamboree. I went in, and for only a few baht, was on the internet. My friend from Uganda was amazed, 'How do they do this?' he asked. I told him that in a lot of places in the world these are quite common; he was awe. "'ot in Uganda' he said to me. He told me that at the university he attends there are only three computers; and only one of them has the ability to get on the internet. In the spirit of the jamboree and of scouting, I told him that I would very gladly help him set up something similar at his university. Herein lies my question to the readers of Slashdot: How can I set up a small network for my friend in Uganda where the only fast internet connection may be a DSL line?"

" I was hoping to use thin-clients because they are very durable and create very little load for a server, however, I am not experienced enough to administer them properly using Linux (the same going for Solaris), and do not have enough money for Windows licensing (and also hope to have them be as reliable as possible). I would like to use Apple computers because that is the OS I am most well-versed in, and know that when I leave Uganda and if a problem were to arise, that there would be hope of the problem being rectified. I'm more looking to donate these computers to his school as opposed to set up an internet cafe; so I would be looking to have 6-20 computers and a server. I have never set up a network on a large scale and will need to know about what type of router/hub/network configurations would be plausible (I have a very basic knowledge of administering networks, something I hope to fix soon).

I thank all of you for your input, I hope we can make this happen!"

Comments

Ask for equipment, software and services.

[hey!]

A lot depends on the telecom infrastructure.

It may be cheaper to use cell phones. It is also possible to use satellite phones, but of course you'll have to share this among a lot of people to make it economical.

Put together a network plan. Is it possible?

Services are hard to get, but you can probably negotiate discounts and get grants from foundations to underwrite them.

Same goes for equipment. Software of course is the easiest ask.

The way you ask is you create a project, identify foundations and corporations to underwrite it. You can contact foundations and ask for advice -- this is easy because that's what they're in the business of doing. For corporate underwriting and in-kinds, contact the corporation's public affairs department who will now how to proceed. Think big. Asking for less than 10-20K worth of stuff is a waste of time.

If you can do this under the aegis of scouting, it'd be a huge asset in getting foundations and corporations on board.

Good luck.

Some steps

[forsetti]

*Work with the University -- they may have some funding, and perhaps some experience. And, they will end up maintaining it some day, so they have a vested interest.

*Find out what Internet options are available first -- is DSL or Cable available in that area? T1? A cluster of 28.8 modems?

*6-20 computers is rather small. Commodity network hardware will be fine. Chances are, you will want a switch, and maybe a DSL/Cable router, like those made for home users by Linksys, Netgear, and others.

*Talk with companies (Linksys, Nortel, Cisco, Netgear) -- they may be willing to donate.

*Apple is good -- very good -- but, if you are on a tight budget, consider Linux, and use simple XFree86 with X-based thin clients. Call it a learning experience.

*Don't do it by yourself! As a scout, you may be able to find others who are interested and knowledgable. A second opinion is always valuable!

*If you can go Linux, ask for PC donations. Simple "low-end" (old) hardware can run as thin clients. Don't buy hardware if you can get it for free!

Just ask...

[Jorkapp]

There are many international organizations out there that are dedicated to bringing telecommunications, computers, and internet access to developing countries (I belive there is one, if not many, headed by the UN). Perhaps a little googling would get some results.

There are many computer recycling programs in north america as well. Some are run by major computer companies themselves. Dell for example, will take your old computer when you buy a new one from them. I'm sure if you called them and arranged some meetings, they would consider giving you systems from their recycling efforts.

If all else fails, get them by other conventional means. Do a "Computer Drive". Setup ads in the local paper, have people set computers outside (in a box) on a certain date, and collect them with volunteers.

You think they'll have DSL???

[Zocalo]

I think that if your friend's university situation is typical with three computers and only one Internet connected (bet it's analogue dial-up) then your chances of having a DSL infrastructure in place are slim. However, the sheer novelty of actually *having* Internet access, let alone the utility, allows you to consider approaches that would be dismissed out of hand elsewhere. With that in mind, getting computers and local network infrastructure is not going to be your main hurdle. A decent size switch, or even a hub cast off from someone else moving to switches, and some donated PCs (use one as a gateway firewall!) and you are good to go.

If you are happy with sharing the existing Internet access method, then great, connect the modem or whatever to your server, give it a *tight* access policy to keep costs down and off you go. If you need more bandwidth for the extra computers then you have a problem. Since you don't say *where* your friend's University is, it's hard to be specific, I'd assume it's in a major town though. If that's the case, then might need to connect directly to Kampala, or even to one of the adjacent countries, of which Kenya and Tanzania are more likely to have connectivity. For the distances likely to be involved you are most likely going to need to go wireless, and I don't mean 802.11x; take a look at packet radio for a start, it's far cheaper than satellite!

A couple of other ideas: take a look at the various projects around the developed world to bring broadband to isolated communities, try and get in touch with people involved and see if they can help. If telephony is lacking, then would sending the IP over any existing powerlines by viable for example? Document everything on the web; successes, failures, pitfalls, problems that are overcome and how it was done. Sooner or later someone else will try something similar, and even if you fail they can benefit from your experiences.

Finally, (lot's of) good luck! You are going to need it!

Are you sure you know what you're getting into?

[illusion_2K]

While I admire the fact that you want to go help out the third world (and specifically a university - has the potential for lots of great things there), I think this is one of those things were you need to go through every single part of your plan with a fine toothed comb.

While I've never been to Uganda myself, I did work for the Zambian government for a number of months setting up an IT department at one of their agencies (I've posted to slash about it in the past, feel free to ask specifics though).

A few things to consider:

• DSL is quite likely out of the price range of the university. Where I was working in Lusaka, DSL lines went for $1000USD/month. The best you could do for any reasonable price was ISDN-ish microwave connections and the like. You wouldn't believe the lag.
• The power supply ain't what it is in North America (even with deregulation) - every computer/station will likely have to be connected to a UPS, and these will likely need to be purchased as (I would imagine), they're difficult to get donated.
• What is going to happen when things go wrong - will they have the expertise to fix it, or will the computers just sit there dead? You can't take for granted that they'll be bale to hop onto google and find out what's causing problem x or to get solution y. As much as I think OSS could be great for developing nations, from what I've seen the majority of people who are proposing that they switch over to Linux/OpenOffice/etc.. haven't got any real experience in the third world (much less IT experience). The majority of population in these places haven't had technology permeate their societies the way we have in North America and are consequently much further down the learning curve.

Now all that being said, I don't want to dissuade you from your plan. I just suggest that you talk with people 'in the know.' I'm sure that the good fellows at GeekCorps or TakingITGlobal could point you in the right direction. Good luck!

Speed Bumps

[spike2131]

Having worked with a school computer network in Tanzania, I can warn you of some difficulties you might encounter.

Shipping: It is very expensive and very slow to send equipment to Africa. Moreover, you can't do things like run out for more ethernet cable if you find yourself short. Anything you order from the west can be expected to take months to arive, and will cost a great deal of money to ship. You can also expect to pay extra to get it through customs - though since its for an educational project, they might cut you a break.

Environment: African roads are generally unpaved and therefor tend to kick up a lot of dust. Uganda is also very hot, and at times very humid. All of these factors can play havoc on computer systems. Don't expect the hardware to last as long as it would in, say, the United States. Make sure your computers are opperating in a building that is well air-conditioned, and more or less sealed from outside dust.

Electricity: Electricity in Africa tends to be unreliable - not just in the sense that the lights don't always go on, but also in that it is subject to wide variations in voltage. At my school, there was once a power surge that shorted out every computer connected to the ethernet. A powerfull UPS and good surge protection are a must.

I don't want to rain on your parade; it is a worthy project, and Africa could definiately use more computers. Just keep in mind that setting up the network itself may indeed prove to be the least of the problems you encounter.

What about the civil war there?

[xutopia]

Uganda is under attack by the LRA christian rebels. They want to have a very strict government based on the ten commandements. So long as that country is at war I'm not sure how you'll set up anything there. And the infrastructure just isn't the same as you'd expect it to be. Electricity goes out 10 times a day in the place there is some. Phone lines are scarce so forget about DSL.

Most of Africa...

[Deanasc]

I have a good friend who's currently working on a Fulbright Scholarship in Western Africa to study this exact problem. From the sporadic emails I recieve it seems that the problem isn't telecom so much as ELECTRICITY. Many places get on the grid for only an hour a day. That hour is spent charging old car batteries so they can get juice for the rest of the day. So when your options are run the water pump at 3amp hours for a half hour or a computer monitor 15 minutes, you need the water more.

Another big problem is there's nothing to sell these people online. They have no credit cards.

Anyway, he can probably tell the story better then me. I'll try to get him to post his thoughts.

A Bhutan example

[MountainLogic]

My friend Clif Cox did a networking project in Bhutan as a United Nations Volunteer (UNV). You might find his experances working in a lesser developed country of use in making your plans.

As a Ugandan...

[JohnsonJohnson]

Internet cafes are not uncommon in the major population centers of Uganda: Kampala, Mbabara, Masaka, Kabale etc. Should any Slashdot readers find themselves in Kampala they are invited to visit my brother's Internet Cafe, Jupiter Communications in Kisimente. There are a couple of bars nearby where European and American expatriates like to hang out also.

That said, your friend probably attends university some distance from any major city. IT infrastructure in the nonurban areas of Uganda is lacking in all senses, it is likely that the school machines at his university are 10 year old 486 or even 386 devices with 5.25" floppies that were donated by some well meaning alumnus now based overseas. The problem with simply donating more machines, or even gifting the school with an entire network is that it is unlikely they have any personnel who can support it. To be fair then, rather than simply gifting a Ugandan school with this technology one should either arrange for the network to be remotely administered or provide funds for a system administrator, which will probably include funds for housing, food and transportation as well as a salary.

Furthermore, Uganda has a government mandated telecommunications duopoly, making service prices for high speed internet outrageous where phone lines are available. Satellite connections are severely limited by law, the telecoms duopoly also being in operation there. I don't think cellular data services are available although a clever hacker may be able to piggy back dial up service over a few cellular lines. Given the phone line quality it may actually be the preferred approach. Uganda also has high tariffs on importation of electronics, cell phones moreso than computers but high end computers, especially laptops are likely to be difficult to clear through customs cheaply. I'm not sure if making such a shipment as a charity case would help. Actually, it would probably help local education and industry to set up a shop to assemble computers from parts. This would help in establishing a base to train local talent in machine maintanance. The school could offer a course in these services to help defray costs in the same way some vocational high schools sell the services of their students.

As for those who are worried about availability of electricity (definitely a problem but improving in Uganda), clean water, food (actually that's one area that Uganda does not head help in), school books, pencils, etc. rather than dumping computers in a society without the infrastructure to support them, I say give people a chance. The more options they have the more likely they are to find a solution to their own problems. A Uganda in which the vast store of information that is the internet is widely available, is a Uganda which stands a better chance of breeding local enterpreneurs who will organize to provide running water to villages, run power lines, and have up to date educational materials. I am not a raging libertarian or free market zealot, but it has been the case that countries who have followed a development plan dictated by aid delivered from outside agencies (mostly in Africa and Central America) have lagged behind countries that have sought to create and protect local industry (mostly in Asia). I don't want this to degenerate into a rant about H1Bs, Indian immigration policies, or the valuation of Chinese currency, so suffice it to say, giving a Ugandan school a functioning, maintanable internet connection is not going to unemploy some worthy US based programmer or system administrator.