"Dependency Hell"
We've spent just over 36 hours in Chad now, and the technical research is well under way. Even before actually leaving for the country, a great deal was learned with regards to installing software packages onto Linux without an Internet connection. Realizing that N'Djamena has little Internet access, we wanted to create a package that will speak to media-based youth NGOs in developing nations, regardless of their ability to access high-bandwidth connections.
The idea of such a package is now more focused, as I am convinced that not only does one need such a package, but one needs to be able to fit it onto one CD that either runs without installation (like a Linux LiveCD) or installs with as little instructions from the user as possible. Luckily, Linuix is already relatively easy to install, but installing custom packages without the ability to connect to the Internet is depressingly difficult. I learned the true meaning of "Dependency Hell" before the trip. The term is used to describe the installation of software that required the multiple downloading of packages and files. APT, YUM, and .package files are all made for Linux, and done so in such a way as to connect to the Internet if a required package is missing. One’s only other option is to compile from the source code or download the packages. AbiWord, for example, a simple text editor required a total of 28 packages to be updated or installed before running properly. Needless to say, I gave up on the installation after downloading two, and being informed that a third was missing. I can't imagine what one would do if the only Internet access one had was through a high-cost cyber cafe, like Rafigui in Chad.
With the above in mind, I'm also reconsidering the value that something like WinLibre has for such a project. We're currently working with five laptops here in N'Djamena, and had the potential to work with two more. In most cases, the laptops were not powerful enough to run Linux and GNOME or KDE, graphics engines for Linux, are too dependent on high end computers to actually run on something previously working with Windows 98. WinLibre, however, or a new package taking into account the idea that most organizations don’t have high-end computers, would be extremely useful. AbiWord, for example, can go a long way if you’re writing a report on an old computer, but the same can’t necessarily be said for OpenOfice.
One major problem that we have yet to really address (and I think this is true for most organizations and businesses) is how to provide cheap and effective technical support without being dependent on the Internet or long-distance calls. As I've learned today, calling Canada isn’t easy and was by far the most expensive thing I’ve done since getting on the plane in Toronto. One cannot expect a grassroots organization to call me when their computer is down. Likewise, it would be difficult for them to use the Internet, due to the slow speed and expensive bandwidth. This is a problem that we may not address in our research, but we’ll definitely be looking into it as time goes on.
The idea of such a package is now more focused, as I am convinced that not only does one need such a package, but one needs to be able to fit it onto one CD that either runs without installation (like a Linux LiveCD) or installs with as little instructions from the user as possible. Luckily, Linuix is already relatively easy to install, but installing custom packages without the ability to connect to the Internet is depressingly difficult. I learned the true meaning of "Dependency Hell" before the trip. The term is used to describe the installation of software that required the multiple downloading of packages and files. APT, YUM, and .package files are all made for Linux, and done so in such a way as to connect to the Internet if a required package is missing. One’s only other option is to compile from the source code or download the packages. AbiWord, for example, a simple text editor required a total of 28 packages to be updated or installed before running properly. Needless to say, I gave up on the installation after downloading two, and being informed that a third was missing. I can't imagine what one would do if the only Internet access one had was through a high-cost cyber cafe, like Rafigui in Chad.
With the above in mind, I'm also reconsidering the value that something like WinLibre has for such a project. We're currently working with five laptops here in N'Djamena, and had the potential to work with two more. In most cases, the laptops were not powerful enough to run Linux and GNOME or KDE, graphics engines for Linux, are too dependent on high end computers to actually run on something previously working with Windows 98. WinLibre, however, or a new package taking into account the idea that most organizations don’t have high-end computers, would be extremely useful. AbiWord, for example, can go a long way if you’re writing a report on an old computer, but the same can’t necessarily be said for OpenOfice.
One major problem that we have yet to really address (and I think this is true for most organizations and businesses) is how to provide cheap and effective technical support without being dependent on the Internet or long-distance calls. As I've learned today, calling Canada isn’t easy and was by far the most expensive thing I’ve done since getting on the plane in Toronto. One cannot expect a grassroots organization to call me when their computer is down. Likewise, it would be difficult for them to use the Internet, due to the slow speed and expensive bandwidth. This is a problem that we may not address in our research, but we’ll definitely be looking into it as time goes on.
posted by Wojciech at 1:06 PM
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