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Creating Live Linux Distributions For Disasters

Posted by Zonk on from the penguins-on-the-line dept.

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.

4 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. Browser Incompatibilites by Kevin108 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Has FEMA updated their site to be accesible through non-IE browsers?

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    It's a perfect time for being wasted.
    A perfect time to watch the stars.
    - Burden Brothers, "Beautiful Night"
    1. Re:Browser Incompatibilites by terpl · · Score: 5, Insightful

      No, which is why a Windows LiveCD option is included.

  2. Disaster recovery / FEMA website by QuaintRealist · · Score: 5, Informative

    Slax 5.0.6 KillBill will run Internet Explorer 4.0, and might run later versions as well, under wine. You can use this to access the FEMA application for benefits on the web without having to run Windows itself, and Slax runs well on older machines (runs acceptably on my Pentium-II with 128mb ram). In addition, it fits on an easily pocketable 210mb minidisk.

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    Using plain ol' text since 1968
  3. Answering "Why Emergency Internet Access?" posts by Captain+Sarcastic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

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    Strike while the irony is hot! -- The Freethinker