Converting an Obsolete Laptop into a Linux-based Educational Information Server
and Links to Free Ukrainian Educational Content
Given below is a summary outline of how to convert an obsolete laptop into a linux-based educational information server as well as links to free Ukrainian educational content and related initiatives. This outline enables anyone to convert old and likely not-in-use laptops to useful tools that can support the education of Ukrainians. When the laptop WiFI hotspot mode is enabled, these computers essentially become “Educational WiFi hotspots”.
Some background: Often old Windows-based laptops are not capable and fast enough to effectively run the latest version of Windows, however, there is an open-source operating system called Linux that can be loaded onto these old laptops and enable them to be effective computers again. As a result, these old (and likely not-in-use) laptops can be re-purposed into useful tools that can serve as educational WiFi hotspots, which can serve educational information to Ukrainians with smartphones, tablets and/or laptops. Note: If the built-in hardware in a laptop cannot be set to WiFi hotspot mode, then a USB WiFI adaptor with this capability can be plugged into it.
Given below are some step-by-step installation guides for people who want to convert old (10-15 years) laptops into educational content servers:
Create Your Own Boot Drive
Basic Linux Install
Create Your Own Custom Content Package
Offline Educational Content
Server Setup
As well, we created these summaries of educational content that have been placed in either Kolibri and Kiwix, which are software platforms that enable a user to conveniently access this type of content offline:
To view, the complete master list of information see: Offline Education Master Sheet
To view, the complete playlist of video guides see: Step by Step Guide Videos
We propose that information technology (IT) specialists configure, setup and maintain the WiFi Educational hotspots computers for others in their community. There already exists considerable technical information and support through online forums from the providers of open-source software and educational content. Therefore, IT specialists can support their own systems after they follow our set of setup instructions.
Links to information about free educational content for Ukrainians:
a) Ukrainian version of Khan Academy website: https://uk.khanacademy.org/ (educational videos).
b) Khan Academy Channel on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/KhanAcademyUkrainian
c) The list of language learning services that have become free for Ukrainians, 04.04.2022
d) Estonian EdTechs are providing digital solutions to Ukrainian children free of charge.
e) Free educational resources for Ukrainian children.
f) Estonian companies are providing digital education solutions to Ukrainian children free of charge, 3. March 2022
The above Ukrainian-related educational content can be assembled in Kolibri and/or Kiwix, so people can download this content into an offline educational information server. Therefore, we recommend interested organizations consider doing this type of work and if they do, share this content with others online. This will enable many Ukrainians to download this content to an offline educational information server that is running the Kolibri and/or Kiwix software, which will allow others to access this content easily offline via Wifi or a wired ethernet connection.
To access this webpage, visit: ClimateSAN.org/colu.