As read on Slashdot, “HP are supplying their low-cost multi-user 441 desktops to African schools. Running Mandrake Linux, and sporting four screens (…), (4) keyboards and (4) mice (…) they provide relatively cheap computer access for up to four users (of particular interest to schools in low economic zones)”.
Of course, this kind of setup (not specifically HP) can be a great cost-saver for Mauritian school and colleges. And running Linux (no need to use Mandrake specifically I would tend to think) gives all the additional advantages of security, reliability and more important remote administration that is required for the Mauritian School IT Project to succeed.
Indeed it does make economic sense, but what about that other alternative of making use of the working computers that corporations and educational establishments in the west throw away.
Pool together a group of reasonably old computers with some distributed processing software and you have a system that could serve a classroom.
It’s amazing how many monitors and computers have been dumped by my University that are in working condition.
Yes, it’s true that many problems (especially financial) can be solved by using old computers.
In fact, there was a project around 2 years back to do that with old computers from Mauritian companies but logitically it was a nightmare and it never worked out.
Do you know if there is some kind of non-profit organisation handling that sort of logistics in the US or in Europe ?
http://www.computer-aid.org/
I remember seeing a BBC report about this not-for-profit organisation a few years ago. The fact they are still around is a good sign.
The terms and conditions state that computers can be collected from their North London depot or shipped to the applier for a fee.
A good starting point if nothing else.
Cheers.
Steve