Error message

  • 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).

Stay at home [2020-04-17]

Shortly after my last blog post, Reneal ceased on-going maintenance work in both the Philippines and Tanzania due to Covid-19 and its spread.  Our Teams are now standing by until the all-clear is given and schools resume operation in each country.  In the meantime, we follow the news closely in both countries and worry about friends and colleagues.  Here at US headquarters, we’ve kept busy preparing for the next projects in Tanzania.  Thanks to a generous donation from local NGO Network the World, just about all of the US-purchased equipment is already here and ready to go.

We were a little unsure of how computer equipment supply lines might be affected during this unusual time, so we’re happy to have the parts for four Reneal servers plus the network switches already here.  Neal has built the servers and put on a draft version of the software for initial testing.  Everything is looking good so far.  I identified the needed laptop adapters and ordered them through Ebay.  I hope to test them by early next week.  I also found used mice on Ebay.  Now we’re working with Reneal School Liaison David Nyangaka in Tanzania to get updated prices for the items we purchase in Arusha. 

Neal still has quite a bit of software work to do.  One of the big modifications in the system will be updating to LibreOffice 6.3.  This version of LibreOffice has both the traditional toolbar user interface as well as a ribbon-type interface.  This will give students familiarity with both types of interfaces.  Neal has also been combing the Open Source educational content offered by World Possible (www.worldpossible.org and www.oer2go.org) to look for new resources to share with students in Tanzania.

We also spent quite a bit of time preparing a new Reneal MacBook System Administration manual.  This manual is very similar to the manual for the “classic” Reneal thin client system, but there are enough differences between these two systems to warrant a separate version.  Reneal Team Tanzania has been reviewing the MacBook manual draft, and it should be ready for release when schools return to operation.

[Photo: Neal building a new Reneal server]