The Plan

Even as I watched them use the computers for a limited time last year, they were able to consistently move shortcuts and folders/files from one folder to the other breaking the entire setup. I had scanned about 10 computers in various scenarios using AVG 7.5 and averaged 200 threats, mostly trojans/viruses. Most PCs that were functioning were doing so in suboptimal states. A good example was the PC used for admin at Yirgacheffee. The clerk would switch it on at 9.00am and it would be ready for use after the 11.00am coffee break!!!

I decided on two things broadly.

1. Switch half the PCs over to Ubuntu
2. Reorganise all the elearning content (including new stuff) so that everything is presented through a browser and the original files lie hidden.

The reason for the second is fairly obvious. What they can't see or access, they can't break. Moreover, using a browser makes the interface uniform for all the content and therefore quicker to learn and easier to use. Moreover, it removes the need for installing proprietary windows software (some material had to be avoided, inevitably) and access to the e-library would be similar regardless of whether they were on a Windows or an Ubuntu PC. Thus, the e-library could ease their transition over to using Ubuntu.

The reasons for switching half the computers over to Ubuntu are less clear and justify a separate post.