Computer Geek-dom

Since I moved to Africa, I have slowly, ever so slowly, been slipping further and further down the slope into computer geek-dom! And I'm not sure how I feel about it. This is where I spend quite a few hours every week. Though I must admit, it's actually one of the nicest places on the whole compound to work.

Another organization which used to rent some space on our compound put up this "pre-fab" building behind the guesthouse. They used it as an office for over a year. It's basically a big tin box. But, it's got A/C and windows that actually close! So it's relatively dust-free and when the electricity is on, it can get almost COLD! Of course, it's a tin box, so when the electricity isn't on, it turns into an oven. It's also quite isolated. Anything could be happening out there, and whoever's in here could be completely oblivious! If one is a deputy guesthouse/site manager, being completely oblivious to what's happening "out there" isn't exactly ideal! So I can't sit in here all the time. Besides, I'd go batty in a room all by myself with just a couple of computers to keep me company! (Maybe that's a good sign that I'm not too far gone down the computer geek slope!).

Anyways, we keep all the kit for our internet connection and routers in here (the Satellite's modem is here), as well as the network server and all the extra bits of computer equipment. And yes, unfortunately, I DO know what all those cat-5 cables connect which routers and modems to what. I even know how the fibre optic Optronix boxes work and how to diagnose any problems with them. This, by the way, is a photo of our VSAT dish. This is my lifeline to the outside world!

So, on this nice sunny Saturday, I have spent the entire morning working with our computer guy in a different city work on 4 different computers here. It's kinda cool to watch him work from there on the computers down here. There are a few things he can't do remotely, though, so we have an ongoing Skype chat and I end up doing all the work while he guides me from there! So as long as the Internet stays up, I can muddle through! And somehow, I don't hate it! In fact, I feel almost a sense of satisfaction when I know that I've helped to keep these little machines continue running so that they can be used for the translation and literacy work that gets done on them!

On that note, though, really, if there are any true computer geeks out there... I need you to come and help! So please, would you come?! I don't want to slide any farther down this slippery slope I've started down!