[imc-tech-solidarity] Re: imc beirut

[blue.pi]

Jeff writes: 

Hi Jeff, 

After some confering, I would say: maybe install Linux on one computer, the 
rest we will do here (see Ghassan's comments bellow). Important are stable 
power supplies - don't know what that means (again see Ghassan's comments). 

If you had by any chance a printer and/or a scanner, that would of course 
make us very happy. 

About the shipping cost, I'll write the proposal as soon as you tell me how 
much it is. 

cheers,
blue 

__________________ 

>>2) Software: it is better is they set up one LINUX and send the others 
>>without software. Arabic could be a big hassle, but I can install the  
>>Arabic system and so could Bassem very easily. It is what we do everyday. 
 

>Why don't you want to have two systems installed: windows and Linux on all 
>computers? About the Arabic:
>There are systems that don't have Arabic at all - e.g. the computers at the >Daily Star and then there are systems that read Arabic fine, like on my 
>laptop I bought in Germany. Wouldn't it be better to have the latter 
>installed from the beginning? 
 

We can do that here, but the Arabic system has to be set up first. If the 
computers are only for browsing, then it is OK, but we will be doing other 
stuff on them too. Then comes the compatibility with the server in Zico 
House. In my experience, it is better to do it here from scratch because in 
99% of the time when we get preinstalled software, we have to format and 
reinstall. 

>>3) Hardware: there is no problem with compatibility. USB is OK, but the 
>>priority is for stable power supplies because the electricity is not
>>very good here (especially at Zico House), we might need a UPS in any case. >>It would be great if we can get 220 Volt (60 Hz) power
>>supplies because I know that the US uses 110 Volts.

     Ghassan 

 

> 
> great, i will arrange for the preparations for these machines.  i wonder
> are there any special features you would like or equipment you would
> like to request? ( no promises ) but i can attempt to get stuff that
> will best meet your needs.  
> 
> also what is the level of technical skills of your team there?  would
> you prefer the software pre loaded? and can you point us to some info on
> Arabic Lang support?  i am sure i can dig up some stuff but pointers are
> helpful. 
> 
> we can hook them up with a variation of debian gnu/linux.  i will also
> attempt to get some machines with usb.  how bout printers, scanners etc? 
> 
> i will also look into the shipping costs.  if you guys there could write
> up the proposal to imc finance that would make things easier for us here
> as we could focus more on the technical/shipping stuff. 
> 
> hope you are well,
> jeff 
>