Slashdot Mirror
Creating Live Linux Distributions For Disasters
phaedo00 writes "The folks over at Ars Technica have an article up about Hannibal's experience volunteering in relief efforts and how a custom built Linux distribution can help people solve social and disaster related problems without costing an arm and a leg. From the article: 'I spent the two weeks after Katrina struck working with volunteers in Lake Charles, Louisiana and across the Internet to build, maintain, and upgrade such labs in two of southwest Louisiana's largest Red Cross shelters. The present article is a short introduction to one of the most important categories of tools to emerge from the efforts of myself and others to meet the shelters' need for free, zero-maintenance, bulletproof, Internet-connected computers: the shelter lab LiveCD build.'" Article partially paid-only.
No, which is why a Windows LiveCD option is included.
If the phones/broadband are down, how do people re-install legal copies of software? Laptops and even PCs can run on emergency power, but without internet, the users can't recover if they must re-install software.
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do.
There seems to be a misconception that this project has something do with OS wars. It doesn't. There is a perfectly good Windows option provided on page 3 of the article. Of course any Windows option requires the requisite licensing, but that dooes not preclude someone from using a Windows LiveCD. Don't turn our relief efforts into a pissing match. It's not appropriate and completely irrelevant.
Universal internet for hurricane victims comes dead last on my list. These people were knocked back to the 1800s. Let bring them back to indoor plumbing before we go all crazy with teh intarweb.
Access to information enables rescue workers and survivors to work efficiently to bring back necessary services as quickly as possible. Access to emergency databases (like FEMA's) allows families to find each other (Can you imagine losing your children in a flood and not knowing if they're dead or alive? I'd forgo food, shelter, and sleep until I found my daughter.) and for survivors to possibly find paying jobs if their old job no longer exists. Don't just assume that the rescue workers are just trying to entertain the survivors with online porn, solitaire, and Fark.com.
Also, you'll note that these labs are all set up at the shelters which implies that at least the roof and the food are already taken care of.
"Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
During Hurricane Katrina, the Internet proved its value during disasters and disaster recovery. It was available when the TV and radio stations were flooded out or blacked out.
During the initial recovery, instead of having to fill out reams of paper, people were able to electonically submit their information over the Internet.
Instead of overloading the Post Office with "Where are you?" notes and "Here I am!" responses, people were able to use the Internet to send E-mail.
Face it, people - the Internet did what it was supposed to do: stay connected even during emergencies. We've gotten used to it, our non-immediate disaster relief efforts now expects Internet access, and we made use of it when the usual media failed.
So, posters who ask, "Well, what do they need Internet access for at a shelter?" - I offer my answer.
Strike while the irony is hot! -- The Freethinker