Cross-posted from Beira Project:
One of our projects in Mozambique will be to set up computer labs for several of the groups there. One of the questions is what operating system to use.
I haven’t personally run Windows since Windows 98 was their newest operating system (I did have an dual-booting Linux/XP laptop before you could buy linux laptops, but I rarely used it, this was 6 years ago). I had an Apple laptop for a while, but now all my computers are Linux. Still, I am trying to keep an open mind.
I do know that in these environments it’s not sufficient to just leave them a bunch of computers as they will quickly become unusable with viruses and spamware as kids install all sorts of things to get games to work (or to see pictures of unclad women). I know this from seeing it in other countries and from talking to our partners in Mozambique. Some intellectual tabloids have even pointed out how this is a problem for the wider internet.
The argument is thus for a Linux based solution where the typical user is allowed to run firefox (and only firefox) and more advanced users can run openoffice. By logging in remotely, a more advanced expert can do maintenance up to the point where the machines stop connecting to the internet.
I can’t probably give you an answer now as to what we will use, but if I found a good Linux distribution for this environment, it would make things much easier.
(And, no, Apple is not under consideration; the machines are too expensive).
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