Can Linux help rebuild the University of Pristina in Kosovo

[Richard <nospam [at] zetnet.co.uk>]

Hello

This came in from WYlug today. If you can do anything to help then
please direct any replies/offers to help to Brian......

From: brianyoung <brianyoung [at] kbnet.co.uk>
Subject: Can Linux help rebuild the University of Pristina in Kosovo?

........ I have been attempting to help out with the rebuilding of
the University of Pristina in Kosovo. When the occupying Serb forces
left in advance of the NATO forces, they smashed up most of the
University, and removed or destroyed all of their computers.

However, I have recently delivered 28 (gifted) computers to the
University and am delivering 30 more this week. But we have a
problem. The companies which donated the PCs insisted that all
software was deleted from their hard drives, rendering them useless
for getting the University up and running again.

I have been in touch with Microsoft to see whether they would give us
operating systems and applications for the machines, but like all
huge corporations they seem to be a little wary of just handing over
licences to use their software - either that, or they are simply
dragging their heels as the bureaucracy grinds into action.

But then I heard about the Linux movement. I understand that we might
be able to get Linux and a suitable front-end on the machines for
next to nothing, and there are freeware applications available that
would allow the University to start operating again. I'd be very
grateful if you give me some advice as to how we might go about
getting the University's machines loaded with software, or point me
in the direction of any Linux advocates who could help with any of
our problems.

The University needs the following applications: Word processors
Spreadsheets Databases Something to run a registration programme,
since all their student records have been destroyed

The machines I have already delivered are 486-processor PCs, but I
already have commitments from donors for some Pentium machines which
I'm hoping to take out with me this week. I'm also trying to get hold
of a server, so the University can re-establish some kind of network,
so any advice on whether Linux could help in this area would also be
gratefully received.

One other point: Kosovo relies on Sebia for its connection to the
Internet, and as far as I know, there is no connection from Albania.
Getting these guys onto the Net would make a huge difference (apart
from anything else, the Serbs burned all the books in the University
library, so getting the students on-line would be a big help), so any
advice on how this could happen would also be gratefully received.

We have no funding for this project - it's a private initiative and
so far we've managed to achieve a lot more than some of the aid
agancies who seem permanently tied in red tape. I'm also reluctant to
publicise both the trip I've already made and any future trips since
it was done outside official channels, and the people in the RAF and
Army who helped me get the original consignment of PCs to Kosovo
might not appreciate their role being made public. But please get in
touch if you can help, or you know anyone who can give advice or
support. There are people in Pristina you can contact if you need to
speak to them directly about their own technical expertise and I'm
more than happy to co-ordinate efforts in the UK to get some software
onto the next consignment of machines.

Thanks for your time - this will make a huge difference to the staff
and students at Pristina University. Best

Brian Young
Tel: 01234 353671
fax: 01234 262054
brianyoung@kbnet.co.uk

Richard
Sheffield UK

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