I thought about that topic many times. Here are some spontaneous thoughts. Whether or not they are applicable in this situation I can't tell.

1) Obviously, try to find out as much as possible about the current setup, the needs, the available funds, etc. Basically all information you can get your hands on.

2) If possible, take up and offering, see how you can get extra funds to help out. Make sure the person/team knows what should happen with this money, e.g. it is of the IT, but also what happens with the rest of the money, if anything is left?

3) Do you have some spare hardware and/or cables that might be of help? Give it to the person/team that is going. Of course, see point 1, the more you know about the situation the better you can resource the team. That could be RAM or HDDs or... Obviously you can't take a monitor and the like with you on a plane.

4) Specifically if there a limited funds one should very seriously consider the use of Linux. I might stir the pot here a bit. But Linux is free. You still can make a donation, if you are in a position to do so. But if you have limited funds that could be a real big help.

5) Linux might need a little bit extra training, but I might think that it's worth taking the time for it. But one needs to factor that in.

6) If there are power concerns I would investigate the option of using Linux Terminal Server and getting a UPS. If power cuts out, the UPS would safely shut down the server where all the data is located.
Also has the advantage that you basically only need to invest into 1 good computer/server. The clients can pretty much be any old computer, even those which otherwise might be not worth trying to install a full blown OS.

7) Linux also has an advantage in places with connectivity issues. The updates are usually a lot smaller due to different reasons. Therefore it's faster to download them.

8) Security. Of course, no OS can safe you from clicking the wrong links and providing a password when you shouldn't. And it's not like that there would be absolutely no virus for a system like Linux or Mac. But the threat is significantly smaller. It's not just about you/your staff. But how many times did someone come from outside with a virus infected USB key, or someone coming back from outreach...

9) Think of a backup strategy, if possible fully automated.

10) Think of a backup strategy, if possible fully automated.

11) Think of a backup strategy, if possible fully automated.

12) Think of a backup strategy, if possible fully automated.

I think that the biggest key is to listen to the ministry involved to find out what their need is. The person who is heading over to Arua hasn't had much luck in communicating with them about what they need though. Unfortunately it might be a case of the ministry not really knowing what they need...

Looking at the photos from their ministry site, they don't appear to be too be too isolated. There appears to be power to their centre, but a UPS is always recommended. One thing to definitely do is check on the power that is being used. They look like UK plugs, and according to what I've read the UPS would need to work on 240 V, 50 Hz.

I love the idea of a Linux Terminal Server environment, I played with the concept at my last YWAM Centre where I had spare computers to play with. I would be concerned with the complexity of running it without someone there who knew it intimately though.

Keeping it simple, as Mike suggested, would be best.

It would be worth looking into Microsoft's non-profit licensing deals as, like it or not, there are more people out there who know Windows than Linux (don't hate me for that comment, it's just fact). I know that some non-profits can get Windows and Office licenses for less than $10 - $20 per license, but I don't know if YWAM has any deals like that set-up (I'm looking into this, but if you know anything let me know).

We can talk all we want about training people to use Linux as it may be a better long term solution, but if there is no one there after we leave to help, it could put unnecessary barriers in the way of people doing their work.

I'm not sure what Internet Connectivity, or even telephony connectivity is, for the centre, but this is one area that we can look at trying to help. Mike and I have both had some experience dealing with telecommunication in Africa, and it is never easy, but connecting the centre to the Internet could greatly help with their ability to communicate.

I think that after all this the main thing needs to be, like Mike said, that we need to listen to the centre to find out their needs and what they want to accomplish. We want to be sure we are actually serving their needs, and not what we think their needs are.

I read the comments above and they are more detailed and helpful on the IT stuff...one thought to add- ensure that they can function on their own (was said already) as you do not wnat to create dependence. Additionally, try to promote the idea of interdepedence- what can they give you or what can you learn from them.

If the power issue is worked out, could someone commit to connecting to their network remotely to offer support? Then the LTS option could work.

Thanks guys for all your input.
I'm waiting on feedback from the base as to what they have and what they want in terms of people/training and resources.

It would be well worth someone in YWAM looking to:
http://www.ctxchange.org/
which is where I was able to obtain legit copies of Win 7 upgrades for £6 ea and Office 2010 Std for £16ea. It takes a while to get registered and receive the products be the savings are MASSIVE! It needs to be done at a strategic organisational level, as you're restricted to how many times a year you can make a purchase.

I am a big supporter of Open Source, Linux, Open Office etc, which may be a good option or even going down a hybrid solution. For me standardisation is key, especially when trying to train people whilst I’m there and mentoring once I’ve gone.

I moved them away from desktops when I was there last, so they now only use laptops, so each have a UPS built-in. As for a server, it will depend on their needs. They only had one 90W Solar PV panel when I was there last, which also has to support lighting and a radio link to Yei (Sudan), so realistically, unless they have expanded, it will only support one laptop at any given time at best. They do have a petrol generator, but due to cost, try to limit it’s use. They shared some data, but that was limited, largely by lack of understanding and of power. To centralise/backup data I have two ‘Black box’ solutions in mind, one a Twin disk 2.5”NAS with mirroring (Automatic) Thecus N0204 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thecus-N0204-ATA-300-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B002C7M... ) or the even simpler solution of Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adaptor (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-FreeAgent-DockStar-Network-Adaptor/dp/B0...) which can simply use a couple of Pen Drives, keeping power requirements to an absolute minimum. Backup would be carried out via the clients automatically. I am also a big believer in KISS.
As for comms I think they use a 3G dongle, so get reasonable speeds. There is a device available to share this USB device across a network, which would be worth investigating.
Once I know hear back from them, I’ll add some futher thoughts / questions.
If someone could chase the CTXchnge route and keep me in the loop, that would be great.

Regards,

Dave

We have identified a number of needs:
1) Reliable network connections. At present they use a wifi and it's not very reliable.
My response is to hard-wire if at all possible.
2) It would appear that they are using 1 Office 2003 licence on 4 PCs.
My response is to move them all to Open Office.
3) They have some accounting software, but are not particularly familiar with it.
My response is to find out what it is, make sure it is appropriate, if so, obtain a copy and prepare some notes/guidelines on it, preferably with help from whoever initiated it's use in the 1st place.
4) They need basic IT training.
My response is to take over some training notes & documentation and run a series of courses at various levels, leaving people to mentor each other after I've gone. Anyone got access to any good training materials?
I will also look into what can be done to continue this.
5) They would like to setup a Pseudo Internet Cafe, primarily for the base only.
My response is possibly to use http://sourceforge.net/projects/cybera/
Does anyone have any experience of this or any other suggestions?
6) They need help with filing and documentation.
My response: I've connected up with Kevin Colyer who's setup http://ywamkb.net which is a really good resource. (Bill it would be good for you guys to hook up and link your two projects.) Hopefully one or more of the 'School of Design' can come up with some MS or Open Office templates, which could help.

The rest is just minor stuff