Message-ID: <Pine.3.88.9601060031.A16489-0100000@oriental> Date: Sat, 6 Jan 1996 01:55:02 -0600 From: Abubakr Alkhalifa <mailto:aalkhali@ORIENTAL.CIS.USOUTHAL.EDU> Subject: Re: Computers for Africa To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
I find the "Computers for Africa" consortium/foundation discussion very interesting and promising and would like to share these 2 suggestions:1) A "Mother" consortium/foundation needs to be formed to encompass hardware as well software sub-divisions. Hardware needs a "sister" software to facilitate his appropriate use and maximize the benefits drawn from him.
The software sub-division will focus on developing, installing, customizing, and preloading software for, in, to, and on the requested machines. After consulting with the requesting party, this software sub-division will determine which ready-made packages and custom programs are most appropriate for the developmental needs of the area requesting the hardware.
A set of generic programs can be developed with the goal of involving Information Technology in Poverty alleviation. These generic programs will then be customized to accommodate user interface in local language, databases containing local data, and other factors to consider. Thereby IT vs. Poverty will become in Action.
2) A "Father" international organization(s) can "get hitched" with this "Mother", enabling her concentration on the "Offspring" (hardware & software) while saving her the effort, time, risk, and cost of starting from scratch.
Abubakr Alkhalifa School of Computer & Information Sciences University of South Alabama Internet: mailto:aalkhali@cis.usouthal.edu Phone/Fax: (334)660-0242 Address: 612 Montclaire Way, Mobile, AL 36609, USA IT vs. Poverty
On Fri, 5 Jan 1996, Santiago Hileret wrote:
> On jan 5 Catherine Briggs wrote:
>
> >I think your consortium/foundation idea is good, the more donations
> >>like this the better........
>
> Two points on the issue of "organized"/"programmed" equipment donations.
> A) Info I can share, from a recent issue of Science News.........
>
> B) On the larger issue of forming a consortium or other effort to make
> this "hand-me-up" process (as I call it, since it truly raises the standard
> at destination) more systematic, I have also been trying to develop a
> similar proposal, although of a much more general nature..........
>
> I would personally love to be involved in getting something of the sort
> under way and my individual focus would be the needs of Africa, so if
> anyone out there is reading this and thinks it's a viable idea, don't
> hesitate to reach me by e-mail. More so if you know of an initiative
> already under way!
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Peace
>
> Santiago
> 3rd World 1st!
> ========================================
> >> On jan 4 Chris Tighe wrote:
> >>
> >> I must add my 5 cents worth to this argument about sendind TRS-80
> >> computers to Africa. For what it is worth, here is my humble
> >> opinion:........
> >>
> >> > .....3. Solution: A consortium of developers to set up a non-for-profit
> >> foundation to solicit computers and parts from Info Tech firms to be
> >> donated to countries in Africa and other countries......
> > I think your consortium/foundation idea is good, the more donations
> >like this the better...It would be helpful in what we are doing too
> >to have a clearinghouse to be able to call, say what we need, and
> >hear about possible donors to contact.......
> > Anyone with info on groups doing this for overseas needs in particular?
> > Catherine Briggs Hanafi
> > Population Initiatives for Peace, Ltd