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  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).

2020 plans [2019-12-08]

Since the last blog post, the Reneal Board of Directors held their semi-annual meeting.  Neal and I are extremely grateful for their guidance, support, and advice!  The Board has approved the 2020 work plan for Tanzania, which commences in a few short weeks.  The Board also approved continuation of Reneal’s scholarship programs in both Tanzania and the Philippines.  We are now full speed ahead in preparing for our next in-country projects.

In the last blog post, I discussed the MacBook donation from VMware.  That preparation work continues to be front and center for us.  As I write this, Neal is debugging some software that enables workstations to “pull” updates from the server as needed.  This allows for rapid lab updating as well as enhanced configuration control. The classic Reneal lab does not require this capability since clients are effectively “dumb terminals”, but the new approach requires software management for each individual workstation.

I have just put together a test matrix to stress the workstations to see if abnormal shutdowns of either the server or the workstation will result in software glitches.  While such glitches are easily fixed by reloading the software, we would definitely like to understand if this is an issue and take steps to prevent it if needed.

Reneal School Liaison David Nyangaka and I are preparing the paperwork for the equipment that we’ll be taking with us.  It is going to be a big load as usual.  We are so grateful to the Arusha District Council and Arusha Region for their support of Reneal in clearing customs at the airport when we arrive.  David and I are also preparing the work schedule, so the schools can plan for our time with them.  We are pleased that we will be joined by an assistant computer technician starting in 2020 to support David and Reneal Computer Technician Robert Nyangaka.  Eric has served as an intern at the Arusha Regional Office.  He has studied programming and will be a great addition to Reneal Team Tanzania!

Meanwhile in Cebu, Reneal Team Philippines has been working on a big job at Compostela Central school.  They are reinstalling the computer lab that had to be removed during construction at the school.  We are so grateful to Reneal Computer Technicians Lloyd Tuñacao and Ervin Formentera for their hard work and skill!

[Photo: The Reneal Board of Directors]