ubuntu-ngo team mailing list archive

[Andy Loughran <andy@xxxxxxxx>]

Gayl,

It looks like they've got a lot going on - awesome.

For something like this, it looks like it would benefit from a well designed
database application.  One thing to not necessarily throw out, is
browser-based access - the database doesn't necessarily need to be made
public for it to be browser based, as it could run on the local machine.

I used django for something similar, as data entry was fairly simple (using
the admin) and it allowed me to parse all the info using python and produce
a few pretty tables/graphs.  The biggest barrier to using something like
this is that there was no budget for extending it, and although what I
initially setup had more functionality than the initial specification, it
wasn't long until people were asking for additions, new reports .etc - so in
designing it you really need to think about how to make it user-extendable.

That said, I'd suggest something along those lines would work if you were
out there primarily for ICT work, and training people on the web admin could
therefore be part of the ICT training provided by the charity.  You'd want a
stable framework so that people could develop extensions themselves.

The other option is to look into something like pinax (though not
necessarily pinax itself), as an example of an extendable framework built
around the data that the organisation is keeping.  Things such as a uniform
schema for data collection can really help long term.

Sorry for the python/django-y nature of the post, there are other frameworks
too ! (I'm told)

Andy


On 16 March 2010 13:04, Gayl Kennedy <gayl@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Thanks Andy and Rory.  The NGO is running open source already.  They
> provide ICT training and act as an ISP, they also have a microfinance (loan)
> arm and a HIV/AIDs clinic so I would assume that they would want to track
> and report on each area - students trained / results ; loans issued/
> repaid /defaulted ; training and treatments in the clinic etc. and probably
> report overall views on various elements to their donors etc.  I will have
> to do an assessment when I get there but I was hoping to get a headstart by
> researching some open source options before I go (in June).
>
> Regards Gayl
>
> --- andy@xxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> From: Andy Loughran <andy@xxxxxxxx>
> To: Rory McCann <rory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: gayl@xxxxxxxxx, Ubuntu NGO <ubuntu-ngo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Ubuntu-ngo] open source database question
> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:55:31 +0000
>
>
> Gayl,
>
> I think the best bet is to let us all know the full scope of what you're
> planning to do out there.  I was out in India for the last year, and despite
> having the technical knowledge to make some very efficient changes, the
> trustees approved the acquisition of two Macs - something I know a lot less
> about - and then had the audacity to patronise me when I couldn't fix them
> without reading up on how to do it.
>
> I wish you the best of luck. So please, let us know your plans, and I'm
> sure we can provide you with some experienced answers.
>
> Andy
>
> On 16 March 2010 10:19, Rory McCann <rory@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> On 11/03/10 16:53, Gayl Kennedy wrote:
> > Hi Rory
> > Hope all is well with you.  I am looking into going to Nigeria with VSO
> > for a 6 month contract to look at an MIS solution for an NGO there.
> > They have internet and are using open source but I expect they need more
> > than a few spreadsheets.  What would you recommend as potential open
> > source options as when I search the net I get way too many options!
> >
> > Regards Gayl
>
> Hi Gayl,
>
> Great to hear from you, hope you have fun out in Nigeria. The calling to
> go out to Africa is strong. :)
>
> I'm not really sure about databases. The first thing that comes to mind
> is MySQL/PostgreSQL, but that's more like SQL Server, and perhaps not
> what you/they need.
>
> I'm not really sure what a "MIS" is? I suppose there's the canonical
> example is OpenOffice.org. That has the normal spreadsheet/database
> stuff, but I'm not sure how good they are. They aren't programmes I use
> day to day.
>
> I'm CC'ing the 'Ubuntu NGO' list, which is a collection of people in the
> Ubuntu ecosphere that are interested in making ubuntu work better for
> NGOs. They might have some other suggestions, and maybe there's someone
> out there in Nigeria that can provide Local help?
>
> Hope that helps
>
> Rory
>
>
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