@kuenrg thanks for your comments - I appreciate th...

2009-11-02T12:28:13.413-08:00

@kuenrg thanks for your comments - I appreciate them. Most of this post is based on experiences I had in Malawi while working at Baobab Health (http://www.baobabhealth.org), so I am all too familiar with the challenges you are facing. Our office of 30 people used Ubuntu exclusively and we never had any virus issues. We also deployed all of our systems on Linux. I have never used BIOS passwords, mostly because I don't trust myself to not lose the password, but they could stop your 'fundis' from being able to install XP. We found that virtually any benefit of XP over Ubuntu is irrelevant given the risks of a virus taking down an entire clinic (which certainly happens).

Very interesting post and I agree! in theory. But...

2009-11-02T12:14:23.245-08:00

Very interesting post and I agree! in theory. But I find reality just doesn't go along with what's supposed to work.
I work with hospitals in a VERY rural African setting - between Lake Victoria and the Serengeti Park. I've found that people are given minimal training and learn by copying others. So, since everyone uses windows and trains everyone else, introducing Ubuntu is an uphill battle. Also, the first "fundi" that comes along with a hacked XP while I'm not watching wipes off linux and we're back to where we started!
Mainly I use Tweak UI to turn off autoplay on USB sticks as well as your favorite free anti-virus software and then manually go around with updates every now and then.
BUT if anyone knows of efforts to introduce Linux, and opensource software in general, to Africa please comment!

Comments on Hacktivate: Computer Hardware for Electronic Medical Records i...

@kuenrg thanks for your comments - I appreciate th...

Very interesting post and I agree! in theory. But...