Fsf-friends July 2002

fsf-friends@gnu.org.in

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FEATURE: The promise of an operating system...
by Frederick Noronha 17 Jul '02

17 Jul '02

************************************************************************** NEVY OS -- THE PROMISE OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM: LINUX KERNEL PLUS WIMP Or, why working on hardware is a hard job in India -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRIEfnCOUNTERS: BY FREDERICK NORONHA fred at bytesforall dot org ************************************************************************** We were leaving Bangalore by the sleeper-bus (yes, Goa has this strange mode of long-distance transport) when someone can rushing in to meet me. It was twentish-something Mayuresh Kathe <mayuresh(a)mac.com>, with a small hardware device in hand. That was the best part of a year ago. We were supposed to talk to each other via e-mail. But that never happened; mostly due to this writer's fault. Each time we exchanged mail, one ended up feeling that there were still more inputs needed before the 'story' could get done. Maybe because the story itself was a rather difficult one to comprehend. Putting Kathe in touch with a journo friend in Mumbai didn't quite work out. Fighting the odds in the hardware and software world, Kathe was obviously getting increasingly irritated with having to struggle to get a hearing from the media. Writing on software which is easy to describe or understand despite the distance is one thing. Hardware and operating systems prove to be an uphill task -- specially if you're the kind of a writer who background is journalism, rather than hard-core technology. How much of an innovation is this innovation? Is it an approach that makes sense? We're still not sure... So what better than let Kathe describe his work in his own words... We invite readers' reactions to Kathe's ideas, expressed in the form of a Q&A that he sent in recently: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is Nevy OS? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nevy OS is a new name of the 'Indy' operating system, the first operating system from Tisya Microsystems Pvt. Ltd., and probably the first Operating System from the Indian sub-continent. Nevy OS is being created and constantly improved to work for the upcoming computing device from Tisya, called 'Nevy'. Nevy could be a computing device which will break away from most traditional theories, and twist certain beliefs to create the real people's computer. At this point, we would prefer not to talk about Nevy, because we want to maintain an element of surprise. But, just to keep you interested, let us tell you that it's going to be a portable *not a hand-held* and will be the culmination of over four years of research and development. Nevy OS is being built on the Linux kernel with a state of the art graphical environment which is zippy yet featureful. It is based on the 'WIMP' (Windows Icons Menus Pointers) paradigm that originated at Xerox and best implemented by Apple Computers and most abused by Microsoft ;^) Nevy in its current release has a menuing system; web browser jotpad; application game of snake network configurator. This is a Preview Release 1. It is being done to let people get a feel of what is coming their way. We will be releasing updated, improvised and application rich PRs regularly. Please keep your browsers tuned in to http://www.tisya.co.in/downloads/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why is it called Nevy? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Nevy' and the 'Nevy OS' get their names as a tribute to the person who has touched my heart. That person was the prime cause for bringing me out of the dumps, for making me fight back and infuse a renewed sense of purpose in life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why is it not called 'Indy' anymore? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because an awesome company (SGI) in Silicon Valley makes computers by the same name. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who were the people involved in the project directly/indirectly? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lots of them... But primarily, the most important people were: besides myself as the driving force and investor behind the idea, Erle Pereira, who has been one of the closest buddies and persons to support me the longest. He's also the one to be in a constant state of confusion, because of the various strategies laid out and executed by that terrible guy called Mayuresh. There's Amit Kucheria, one of the most amazing and enthusiastic brains, who have been providing constant moral support from afar (as far away as the US of A). Alan Kay, though he hasn't supported directly, but has always been the kind of person who would suddenly appear out of nowhere and tell you things which would make certain pieces of the big puzzle fit in. Mr. Jef Raskin again though not a direct supporter has been a constant guide and the force to make me think out of the box. (He also manages to give a kick on the #$%^ to wake you out of the dream world) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- When did it start, where and how? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It started sometime around the year 1997-98 when I was getting bored of all the routine development work as part of his duties at Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai. I wanted something more challenging, something which would allow me to tap into my latent potential and do something significant. I was doing quite some amount of research on easy to deploy network solutions for data exchange, also some research on handwriting recognition, add to that my inner desire to build systems which would be so easy to use that they were almost intuitive. I was also disgruntled with the fact that Windows was spreading around faster than a virus. It became obvious that the path Windows was taking would demand an upgrade to hardware almost every year. That would mean the prices of hardware almost never going down, only the power offered would be a lot more for that same cost. That was a situation not conducive to bringing computing to the general masses (that idea of bringing computing to the masses arose out of the fact that I couldn't afford a computer till I had started working) I wanted the upcoming generation to grow up with computers, be as at ease with them as my generation was with VCRs. But, I also wanted to them to be technologically sound and work in an environment which would let them focus on their job (invisibility of technology). So one fine morning, during the bus ride to my office I popped up a question to start a brain storming session with my friend Rajeev Warrier (now at PW-C). The idea was to build an information appliance which would be hooked on to vast network of data (based on the Internet, but running parallel to the WWW) allowing the user access to information at the touch of a button. The appliance would have to be small, rugged, affordable and simple to use. (Personally, I wanted to base it on the LCARS system aboard the Star Trek Enterprise in the Next Generation series.) We figured, we would need a minimalistic OS, its sole data would be to start the hardware, get on the Internet and send queries and receive and display data. To avoid problems we wanted to eliminate the concept of a floppy disk drive or a CD drive (for that we thought we would make an OS which would be non-failing). And to keep costs low, we wanted to use the television as output, and provide a keyboard with built-in pointer controller (our terminology for mouse/trackball/ peticular switch) with a long cable (wireless would be too expensive). The biggest impediment would be the network. I envisaged a network based on the standard LAN (the benefit of having worked in a corporate environment) theme, only, we would call it SN (Society Network). This network would have to be the death bell of the irritating cable television network, since I wanted to provide 'Video on Demand'. We (Rajeev and me) would discuss it in detail every morning, sometimes during lunch, in the evening bus ride. We came up with an idea of creating separate smart disks which would be plug and play to the appliance hence providing external storage space (if required). Our biggest impediment was cost, the hardware cost just would go down (especially due to the TV output interface). That problem got solved one morning when I read an article in 'PC Quest' about a new MediaGX-based motherboard, created by a company in Bangalore 'Bharati Electronics'. We were euphoric. It infused a new life to our brain-storming sessions. I went ballistic, somehow, it seemed -- the force was with us -- that things were going our way, I met up with a guy at one of my regular Linux Users meets. He was a hardware assembler. I talked about the motherboard, he said he had heard about it. I talked him into lending me one of those boards. I told him, "If this succeeds, you get a cut and you will be rolling in money. If it fails, what's there to lose? You just assemble a PC with the board and sell it off." He agreed, he contacted the BE (Bharati Electronics) office in Bombay, got hold of a board and put the whole thing in an old casing and gave it to me. I toyed around with it for a couple of weeks, showed him a demo (which was pathetic). He was not happy, and started pushing to give back the system. In the meanwhile, I had been talking with an old colleague of mine -- Deepak Sharma, who had left L&T -- about my ideas. He was working for Fore Systems which got bought out by Marconi Telecom, UK and I figured I would need his help to execute my idea of establishing SNs. He talked to me at length about my concepts, and said it was a workable idea. We had discussed it for long, and I even showed him a demo. When the assembler pressurized me too much, I had to return the machine, but that wasn't before I had taken a trip to Bangalore and shown a demo to a company, via Deepak's contacts. The company offered me a job to bring that concept to reality. I jumped as I had already got frustrated with all the ridicule at L&T. Perhaps people out there just couldn't get it, being too closed minded. I reached Bangalore, and after that things happened in a sort of fast forward. What I had imagined the company to be -- based on Deepak's information -- was not what it really was. The company was dying, and I was supposed to be their saviour. Add to that I had to do it without any support (neither people to work with, nor sufficient equipment). I worked long and hard, worked nights at end, but things were proceeding too slow, with only me working on both, the hardware specification and software development. I fell ill with Typhoid, almost scrapped death, and had to come back to Bombay for treatment. In the meanwhile, I was made into a scapegoat for the failures of that company. The company got shutdown. Luckily I escaped with the bare minimum of injuries. Back in Bombay, broken physically and emotionally, I moved around aimlessly for quite some time, till one fine day I sat and thought things out. I figured, 'I am young, haven't got much to lose and that I giving it one more shot would be the best alternative.' I started afresh, dug up old contacts, built new, spoke with a couple of developers -- Erle was one of them -- and asked around for funds. No one was investing. One of my associates had heard about my plight. He also knew that I toying around with the idea about introducing a StrongARM (processor)-based computing device. One of his business contacts had one StrongARM evaluation board which he could not use. He got us both together. The owner of the board suggested that I collaborate with his company to develop a set-top-box for his markets in the Far East. It was the turning point, though due to my inexperience I faced a lot of hardships. Though after a prolonged skirmish (and a pending case against them) the collaboration fell through, I managed to salvage around Rs 450,000 (under $10,000) from the deal as fees towards consultation and miscellaneous expenses. Using that as capital, I took a trip to Taiwan, got oriented with the workings of the place -- very amusing, those guys work with hardware like we work with software, quick.... Built a dependable base in four working days, and a prototype, came back... That was the period of the 'crash of twin towers', the market had collapsed along with them. This was the time when I figured it would be better to start improving the Operating System and develop a contact base in India. We worked on Nevy OS (then called Indy). I moved all around the place (including Bangalore, where I met a person called Fred) and showed him one of our prototypes. We did an _alpha_ release on Jan 26, 2002, and approximately 6 months from then we have now down a preview release... A Poem attributed to the people at Tisya: Here's to the crazy ones... The Misfits, The Rebels, The Troublemakers, The Round pegs in the Square Holes, The Ones who see things Differently, They're not fond of rules and have no respect for the status quo, You can quote them, Disagree with them, Glorify or Vilify them, About the only thing you can't do is ignore them, Because they change things, They push the human race forward, And while some may see them as the crazy ones, We see genius, Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, Are the ones who do

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LinuxInIndia#3 [July 16,2002] (fwd)
by Frederick Noronha 16 Jul '02

16 Jul '02

---------- Forwarded message ---------- _ _ _____ _____ http://linuxinindia.pitas.com | | (_) |_ _| |_ _| | |_ | | _ _ __ _ ___ __ | | _ __ | | _ __ __| (_) ___ | | | | '_ \| | | \ \/ / | | | '_ \ | | | '_ \ / _` | |/ _ \ | |____| | | | | |_| |> < _| |_| | | |_| |_| | | | (_| | | (_) | |______|_|_| |_|\__,_/_/\_\_____|_| |_|_____|_| |_|\__,_|_|\__,_| CopyLeft2002 GNU/GPL v2 OR LATER * ISSUE03 * JULY16, 2002 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Co-edited by Frederick Noronha and Parag Mehta <pm at linuxindia dot org> * +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In this issue o Linux... and the (Indian) languages (Yudit, Indianisation document, linguistic info) o Reports from the regions (Calicut-Kozhikode, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi) o Ingenuity from India (GNU software for libraries, qmailtheeasyway, Newbie's Guide to Linux, ElxLinux, suggesting for Indian accounting, thinclients at Goa, NevyOS, GLUE, mailinglist for PHP, MP3player, etc o Events (Lineo, Exocore training in Bangalore July 2002) o Linux goes to school (updates from Delhi, Goa...) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ****************** LINUX...AND THE (INDIAN) LANGUAGES ******************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ YUDIT... GOES MALAYALAM, KANNADA, TELUGU: Gaspar Sinai <gsinai(a)yudit.org> announced recently that Yudit 2.5.4 has been released. As Raj Mathur noted: "The current version of Yudit has complete support for Malayalam and other indic languages. It can also use Opentype layout tables of Malayalam fonts. I think Yudit is the first application that can use opentype tables for Malayalam, as MS is yet to release it's engine for Malayalam." ~ Yudit 2.5.4 can be downloaded from: http://www.yudit.org/download.html Changes: o Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu support o Software glyph-mirroring o iso-8859-15, iso-8859-16, koi8-c, koi8-u, ncr and rovas converters etc ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GNU/LINUX'S FUTURE... IN INDIANISATION: Ankur <terminus(a)vsnl.net> mentioned some weeks back about work on Indianisation of GNU/Linux This is the link to that Indianisation document: http://www.geocities.com/ratheeshvadhyar/ratheesh-thesis.pdf And, a few relevant exchanges on the Linux Kernel mailing list: http://www.uwsg.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0012.0/0297.html Says he: "One thing especially that I am not very clear about is, what should be the priority for Indianisation: Transliteration(for people who can think in English) or pure ground up IndiX type of effort so as to replace English as the language of the system." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INDIC-COMPUTING WORKSHOP, STILL AT PLANNING STAGE: This is an early announcement from Tapan Parikh <tap2k(a)yahoo.com> Please check with him for final details, dates could change due to the early nature of these plans. The Indic-Computing workshop is being planned for its core contributers of the Indic-Computing Project at sourceforge.net at the end of August, either August 24-25 or 31st - Sept. 1st. It will be held in Bangalore in association with Hewlett Packard. The main purpose of this workshop is to bring together young and energetic developers working in the space of developing local language development tools, applications, and content. It would be a small and informal workshop, with 20-25 core participants, including a lot of free discussion intended to spur creative and passionate thought about the future of local language computing technologies. The agenda would be two days in length. There would be a few presentations on each day to seed discussion, but these would still allow ample time for discussion, consensus building and group interaction. At the end of the meeting, organisers hope to have assembled a community of technically informed and motivated people to organize and lead the indic-computing development effort into the future. The leadership of this community should be individual driven, technically motivated, and entrenched with youth, vitality and a progressive vision. By building a community of practitioners, developers, linguistic experts and organizers, they hope to share ideas and experiences, facilitate broad discussion about the issues involved and discuss future directions for the field. "We also hope that this broad coalition would play in faciltatory role in helping local language groups interact more effectively with international standards processes and forums, such as the Unicode Consortium and W3C," say the organisers. "By the end of the meeting we will also talk about the future of the indic-computing project, how we can broaden it's impact and membership, and how it can be sustained, developed and expanded in the future," a concept note says. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINGUISTIC INFO FOR INDIAN LANGUAGES: Tapan S. Parikh <tap2k(a)yahoo.com> says he is working with Koshy to pull together some linguistic info for Indian languages, document that and post it to the handbook on their web page. Says he: "Basically the idea now is to put these guidelines out there and solicit a lot of feedback on this info from the general community for each language, from which we can collate the best results and publish in the handbook. So we dont want so many questions that people will be overwhelmed, and we should accept partial responses and the collate the best answers to each area on our side, but we still want to be comprehensive." Contact Parikh for more information. Email tap2k(a)yahoo.com http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/tapan/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *********************REPORTS... FROM THE REGIONS************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MAILING LIST FROM DOWN SOUTH: Baiju M <malayalamlinux(a)yahoo.com> tells us about the the Calicut (Kerala) mailing list, which welcomes all useful GNU/Linux related information. Self-description: "Free Software User Group - Calicut has one mailing list to discuss various topics related to free softwares and freedom of users and devlopers. We are promoting free software use." To subscribe mailto fsug-calicut-request(a)freelists.org with a subject of 'subscribe' Website http://www.freelists.org/website/fsug-calicut ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MAILING LIST FROM MUMBAI: Check the Linuxers mailing list on the ilug-bom.org.in server. Send Linuxers mailing list submissions to linuxers(a)mm.ilug-bom.org.in To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://mm.ilug-bom.org.in/mailman/listinfo/linuxers or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to linuxers-request(a)mm.ilug-bom.org.in You can reach the person managing the list at linuxers-admin(a)mm.ilug-bom.org.in ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INITIATIVE IN PUNE: Ignatius Nayan D'Rozario <inigo(a)vsnl.com> who has been associated with the ILUG Kolkata Chapter from the time it was formed in St Xavier's Kolkata, is currently in Pune. He's student Sys Admin of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication. He is in the process of setting up an intranet and linking up their website www.simc.edu as a central portal where all the students and staff can log into the institution. He hopes to cash-in on his earlier experience with GNU/Linux. Says he: "I have been reading a few scattered articles on how Red Hat has partnered with Goan educational institutions in the propagation of the Open Source movement. I was hoping that association with a major like RedHat would strengthen my case when I present my proposal for setting up the intranet. Also I would need info on any Indian successes both corporate and if anything like this is up and running based on a Linux server anywhere in India, especially in the West so that the "see-and feel-factor" would be nice...." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ILUG-DELHI, KEEPING IN TOUCH: To subscribe, send email to ilugd-request(a)wpaa.org with subscribe in subject header. To unsubscribe, send email to ilugd-request(a)wpaa.org with unsubscribe in subject header Archives are available at http://www.mail-archive.com/ilugd%40wpaa.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ***********************INGENUITY... FROM INDIA**************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GNU/LINUX SOFTWARE FOR LIBRARIES: Check out the software package for library automation created by three young men when they were engineering students in Goa. Sharmad Naik <sharmad(a)goatelecom.com> says the software is available for download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/glibs ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QMAIL, THE EASY WAY... COURTESY TREVOR: Trevor Warren <trevorwarren(a)yahoo.com> of Mumbai is behind the project called www.qmailtheeasyway.com, which is "within the top 200 projects" in the Free Software world on Freshmeat.net. Says he modestly: "Of course, the major success of the project goes to DJB on whom my software is based." Warren is the Project Manager for Linux/Unix at ZCL, Zenith Computers Limited and works out of Mumbai. http://www.qmailtheeasyway.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GUIDE... FROM INDIA... ON GNU/LINUX: Check the "Newbie's Guide to Linux" http://db.ilug-bom.org.in/Documentation/NGL/ Also the SGML sources are available at the following location http://db.ilug-bom.org.in/lug-authors/sameerds/ It comes to us from Sameer D. Sahasrabuddhe <sam_buddhe(a)yahoo.com> of the Reconfigurable Computing Lab, KReSIT, IIT-Bombay. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FEEDBACK ON ELX-LINUX (HYDERABAD): Delhi-based journalist Jal Khambata <jalnews(a)spectranet.com>, an old-time friend, writes in to say that he has been using elx-linux "by a Hyderabad team" for quite some time and "find it very well configured to easily work in the network environment". As he puts it, his friends and colleagues "still refuse to migrate from Microsoft and I can now network to them through Samba on elx." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WHAT ABOUT INDIAN ACCOUNTING? Saswata Banerjee <scrap(a)saswatabanerjee.com>, who heads a cost accounting firm, recently had this to say on ILUG-BOM: "I think if you want to do things to make Linux more popular with corporate users, we will need more of common office use software. If you wish to add an "accounting software" to your list of projects, I will be willing to put in time to coordinate it (of course, someone here will have to tell me how this coordinating is done)." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIN-CLIENTS, PALMTOPS... AT GOA: Arvind Clemente of Controlnet, Goa <arvind(a)controlnet.co.in> has announced plans for a live demo of thin clients to be given by Yunus Shaikh, who was working on this type of an environment in Norway and Goa. This will be demoed at the next Margao ILUG-Goa meeting on Saturday, July 20, at Adarsh Vidyalaya High School, Margao, South Goa at 4 pm. Arvind will himself also show a demo of how to connect your Palm OS based PDA to a standard D-Link 56K modem and configure the same for dialup to ISP and get mail/browse the Internet. To join ILUG-Goa send a blank email to ilug-goa-subscribe(a)eGroups.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NEVYOS: Check out Mayuresh Kathe's site and work on the NevyOS http://www.tisya.co.in/nevyos/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GLUE, A USEFUL COMPILIATION OF LINUX IN EDUCATION: baiju m <malayalamlinux(a)yahoo.com> comments on the GLUE CD compiliation <http://ele.gec.ac.in/~msr/glue/> "I think this GLUE CD will be useful for all category of students especially Engineering. I am a Civil Engg. student. I had an experiance during my 7th semester, our B.Tech project requires on Project Management software. The commercial non-free softwares like Primavera was very costly. At last we only got a demo version of MS Project and Primavera. Later I found that there are some free softwares available for this, but those projects were in the initial stages only. "Now MrProject, a free Project Management Software is available with GNOME office. Redhat 7.3 has included this package. If this utility is not included in GLUE; include this one in the next version. link: http://mrproject.codefactory.se "Recently, one of my junior asked whether there is any Visualization toolkit available along with GNU/Linux, for his project work. Mayavi is a good choice for this. It is a Data Visualizer from an Indian hacker. Link: http://mayavi.sourceforge.net/ " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TRAINING FOR STUDENTS IN PHP, A MAILING LIST ON PHP: Dr Tarique Sani <tarique(a)sanisoft.com> the medico-turned-GNU/Linux guru from Nagpur, says his firm SANIsoft is "going thru what has happened to good companies which were left after the dotcom bust -- we are busy with our commercial projects...." But if this trend continues, he hopes to hire more programmers and put in at least "thirty per cent of total man-hours" into Open Source-related work. Says he: "Yes my *free* PHP courses are continuing -- every month for three weeks, six days a week for 90 minutes each day I teach a batch of six choosen students about PHP". Keep up the good work Dr Sani! Check out: PHP Applications for E-Biz: http://www.sanisoft.com Indian PHP User Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/in-phpug ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SIMPUTER APPS... ARE YOU INTERESTED? Simputer (www.simputer.org) prototypes are ready and this GNU/Linux project is expected to go in for commercial production shortly. One suggestion that came up recently was for the need of a volunteer team to help build Simputer-applications, that would make this 'commonman's computer' even more useful. Sandra Morgan of GraffitiWorkz, Inc. says they already have an active website under development and are partnering with both Encore and PicoPeta on the manifacture and distribution of the Simputer. Says she: "We will certainly be happy to supply space and the development of the portal under discussion." Vivek K S <ksvivek(a)picopeta.com> of Picopeta says: "I already have a Simputer project registered at Source forge; If there is a basic idea about what one wants to do; I can create a module under that name and give CVS access for the same. There should be one person who will take personal responsibility for the module; I can help in initial coordination; till the person can completely handle the module by himself. Also all developer discussions should be made on the simputer-devel mailing list; to ensure that non-technical subscribers of this mailing list are not affected." Check PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd., for interesting updates on the GNU/Linux-based Simputer http://www.picopeta.com To subscribe from the Simputer group, send an email to: simputer-subscribe(a)egroups.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WHAT IS IMLI: IMLI is a browser created by the Simputer Trust, and it uses the IML markup language. It is designed for easy creation of Indian language content and is integrated with the text to speech Engine. It is a choice for the implementors of the Simputer, to decide whether the IMLI browser is included in a standard distribution or not.... The HTML browser on the Simputer will always support HTML browsing irrespective of the presence of IMLI. IMLI can be indepently installed on any Simputer, irrespective of any existing framework. The PicoPeta Simputer comes pre-installed with IMLI, however, IMLI can also be downloaded and installed independently on any Simputer. Transferring data to the Simputer can be achieved via serial, USB, IR or modem. More information from <ksvivek(a)picopeta.com> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SPECS OF THE (ENCORE) SIMPUTER: The Simputer uses a built-in modem to dial into an ISP and then browse the net.... For connectivity you need access to a telephone line. The modem is built-in. You also need an account with an ISP. You do not normally use GPS. But is a GPS Receiver is incorporated, your positional information can be recorded. This information could then be used in conjunction with GIS maps of the region where you might be travelling. "Considerable progress" has been made in the development of a new version of the Simputer which has several interesting features that help in product expansion and connectivity. Encore has added a CompactFlash socket, through an optional Docking-Cradle, that could be used for CF-II compliant cards such as a Flash card or a Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) interface. They also offer a choice of Colour or Monochrome LCD displays. Their new Simputer will now be available in "atleast four" different standard configurations described in the attached specification-sheet. Encore's current plan calls for launching 200 Simputer Evaluation Kits by the 1st week of August, and a subsequent launch of 1000 Simputers, before large scale production starts. "We are now accepting orders for the new Simputer Evaluation Kits, with delivery within 10 weeks of receipt of orders," says Encore. The following 4 standard models of the evaluation kit are planned: ESKIT-3216M Monochrome, 32 MB RAM, 16 MB Flash ESKIT-3216C Colour, 32 MB RAM, 16 MB Flash ESKIT-6432M Monochrome, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB Flash ESKIT-6432C Colour, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB Flash Further technical and pricing details from Shashank Garg VP - Product Development Encore Software Limited 6F Leo Complex 44 Residency Cross Road Bangalore - 560025 [India] Tel: +91-80-5593182, 5593174 Fax: +91-80-5587690 shanks(a)ncoretech.com www.ncoretech.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WHAT IS ANJUTA? Anjuta is a nice IDE (integrated development environment) which combines the power of GLADE (a tool which creates the graphical front-ends for your GTK programmes) to create excellent iterfaces and its own code editing abilities to give the user a power-packed tool for creating apps on the fly. It has Glade integrated within it such that Glade creates the interface and Anjuta edits the code and builds the projects. Check the article in the July 2002 issue of DeveloperIQ (www.developeriq.com) by Ishan Chattopadhyaya, a Class XI student of St Joseph's College in Allahabad. For the past year, he has been engaged in Anjuta and Glade's documentation. He is also responsible for the creation of the easy-to-install wGLADE and winGTK ports of GTK and Glade to the windows environment. "Although they are in testing stage, they work quite well," comments DeveloperIQ. Anjuta is a creation of Delhi-based Naba Kumar (23), who hails from Manipur. He named this software after his girlfriend! Explains Naba Kumar: "(Anjuta) is an integrated development environment. Or, in short, an IDE. It's a platform where one gets all the tools for developing software. You could call it a factory to develop and distribute software." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PROJECT FOR A MP3 PLAYER ON LINUX: Siddharth Desai <engico83_2k(a)rediffmail.com> tells us details of a recent project: The MP3 player that we made was based on a P166/200 MMX with an addon that we made that connects to the parallel port. No keyboard, mouse or monitor needed. Hard disk could be used to speed up the system and store MP3's else CD-ROM drive for MP3s. Floppy drive (or hdd) to boot. OS + program fits on a floppy. Program reads parallel port and runs mpg123 which plays MP3s. Also modified the power supply to run of a car battery. The keypad (connects to parallel port) has 5 keys -- play/pause , next track, previous track, eject and one key which selected between songs 0-99 or 100-199 (since the LED display on the keypad could show only 2 digits). We entered the contest in the software section at the CIIILP exhibition of technical projects." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BHARAT MEDIRATTA, GALLERY PROJECT ON SOURCEFORGE: Anyone trying to track Indians contributing to GNU/Linux globally have a tough task. Are these names from India? Could they be from the subcontinent outside of India (e.g. Sri Lanka)? Are they part of the Indian diaspora that settled in countries like Malaysia or Guyana generations ago? Ravi Rao <ravi(a)bothan.net> draws our attention to Bharat Mediratta, one of the creators of the Gallery project on sourceforge -- http://gallery.sf.net/ "I'm wondering if he's Indian," said Rao. Hari Nair <Hari.Nair(a)jpl.nasa.gov> who's name is prominently mentioned on xplanets, writes in to say: "My family is from Kerala, but I was born and raised in the US." See also http://nagendra.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WORK FROM GAURAV VAISH: Check out some work from Gaurav Vaish: - http://home.iitk.ac.in/student/gvaish/ - http://mastergaurav.virtualave.net/ - http://home.iitk.ac.in/student/gvaish/pg.shtml ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *****************EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS******************* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINEO, EMBEDDING LINUX TRAINING IN BANGALORE: Two-day technical training workshop on Lineo Embedix SDK will be held on July 22-23 at the Leela Palace, Airport Road, Bangalore from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. This is the first Workshop on Lineo Embedix SDK in India to provide in depth complete training. This two-day intensive course promises theory as well as hands-on training. It will makr the launch of Embedix SDK. Lineo India will host the workshop by Lineo USA personnel. Embedix SDK operating system configuration tool is a powerful development environment for configuring, customizing and deploying Linux embedded software solutions. Embedix SDK 2.4 is a comprehensive solution that leads developers through the key steps of the application development and deployment process, including target configuration, user application development, automated deployment, debugging, software license review, and integration of new software and patches. Rs 6500 per head. Registration via email to lineo(a)gtcdrom.com. Or, register online www.gtcdrom.com/lineo.html ajay.kapoor(a)lineo.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EXOCORE PROGRAMME FOR LIN-ADMINS IN BANGALORE: The Exocore Professional Linux Administrator Workshop is being held on July 18-19 at Hotel Le Meridien, Bangalore It will take participants from ground-up (installation and configuration of Linux) through network services (deployment and managing of Linux based services) to management (securing and maintaining Linux), according to its promoters. It also covers the deployment of Linux based desktops. This workshop is not a "What is Linux" kind of seminar -- it is aimed at practical deployment of Linux in a corporate environment, drawing on the years of experience that Exocore Consulting has in this field, says its promoters. "The course is conducted by Exocore Consulting - the people behind the well known PCQuest Linux Initiative, which has over the past 6 years been responsible for thousands of people across India successfully deploying Linux in their organisations," says the team organising it. This course is designed by Atul Chitnis and Gopi Garge. Supported by Shankar Balan, Vaibhav Sharma, Sony Philip and Ramakrishna K. Course Fees Rs.9,500 per participant. http://www.exocore.com/events ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ***************LINUX GOES TO SCHOOL... AND COLLEGE************************ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DISCUSSING GNU/LINUX IN SCHOOLS< COLLEGES AND VARSITIES: LIFE is the Mumbai-based mailing lists that looks at GNU/Linux in education issues. It is run by Nagarjuna G <nagarjun(a)hbcse.tifr.res.in> More details about him from from his website http://www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/gn/ About LIFE: LIFE is a mailing list for discussing and posting information related to the use of GNU/Linux and other Free software solutions to education in schools, colleges and universities. LIFE(a)mm.hbcse.tifr.res.in http://mm.hbcse.tifr.res.in/mailman/listinfo/life ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SINGLE CD ON ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS: One of Nagarjuna's recent ideas: "I am presently planning a single CD distribution containing the applications and goodies requiered for a regular engineering college student. I would like to keep in mind the syllabus and projects students do. Can some of you tell us what kind of applications are used/needed by students? We can build the list and sit on one sunday and make the distro. Debian GNU/Linux has special scripts to make custom CDs from their original master distribution. I am planning to use this." --Nagarjuna http://mm.ilug-bom.org.in/mailman/search/college-distro/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINUX TERMINAL SERVER SYSTEM, SOLUTION FOR SCHOOLS? Ajith in New Delhi <ajith(a)nsc.ernet.in> recent wrote in to say that he is trying to propose the GNU Linux Terminal Server System as a solution to schools and colleges. He's doing so after testing it at Nuclear Science Centre "for nearly one year on around 100 terminals". Writes Ajith: "(There are now) several GNU/Linux Terminal Server Installations. At University of Calicut, CEDT, IHRD computer training centre and some other places. The Skill Development Centre at district panchayat office, Calicut, also has one with 10 terminals and giving training on Linux based office automation packages." He argues that the cost of a good color terminal (diskless) will not exceed Rs.13,000/- . You can also configure an old P1 or 486 as a graphics terminal. (The GLUE CD he recently put together contains the software and instructions to setup a system.) This, he calculates, a 20 terminal system + server + network will cost less than Rs 350,000 (approx US$ 7000). The Free Software User Group, Calicut, has a group of volunteers trained in setting up Terminal Server System and offering help." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ REDHAT... IN ONE CD: Supreet <supreet(a)linux-delhi.org> who's working on the GNU/Linux-for-schools project in Delhi says in mid-July: "I have modified the redhat 7.3 distro and it ships in one CD. Installs kde desktop, grub, timezone by default asia/calcutta. Has mozilla 1.0, openoffice 1.0. If anybody is interested in testing the CD can contact me. There could be a 10-20 minute demo of the CD in next meet." He also needs to add basic and logo packages because he could not find stable release of bwbasic or ucblogo. "I am also looking at packages like xbasic and yabasic. If anybody has prior experience in compiling and running any of these packages should inform me with details," says he. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GNU/LINUX IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOO?: Linux in schools... what next? Linux in primary school? Lawrie <lawrie(a)goatelecom.com> has been working on a plan with a primary school to shift over to Linux. He hopes to guide the school and train the teachers too... Adds his sig-line: "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINUX ACCESS PROJECT IN DELHI: Sarai <www.sarai.net>, in association with Linux Users Group, Delhi, recently initiated the Linux Access Project. This project attempts to generate awareness and use of Free Software in schools in Delhi. As a first step the Free Software team at Sarai is creating a Red Hat-based distribution network that will be easily available on a CD. A few schools willing to start using Linux-based systems have been identified and a series of workshops are planned through the year to introduce and familarise students to Free Software programs. The Free Software Kit prepared by Supreet Sethi and Pankaj Kaushal at Sarai will be distributed. Members of the project will also extend technical support.Details from: dak(a)sarai.net ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DELHI PARCELS OUT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SCHOOLS PROJECT: Prateek Khanna <prateek(a)linux-delhi.org> lists the responsibilites being parcelled out to various individuals to take the Linux-In-Schools project ahead in Delhi: * Proposal to be prepared for IDG for mutual dealing (Tripta) * Syllabus: what is the current class XI-XII CBSE syllabus (prateek khanna to arrange a copy); is the syllabus and texts OS-neutral; if not good enough make courseware which is relevant; analysis of questions papers. * Issues on CVS to be dealt with by Sandip, Karan, Pai and Supreet. Not a matter of much concern for the time being * Quizes on linux and talks on open source to be held in the Software competitions organised by the schools. * The talks with the schools should not just be on pragmatic points. They should talk about freedom of software; open source; the fact that you can learn more from free source... the implementation of what they study as a part of programming * No commercial organisation be brought into picture as far as possible. Red Hat will be the favoured distribution. Still, an evaluation is being done for a better alternative for schools. * Mailing list has been set up. * Key responsibilities: Project management (Sudheer Gandotra), presentation (Prateek/Tripta), Write ups and manual (Dhurv/Supreet), Distribution (Raj Mathur), Tickets (Raj Mathur), CVS (Raj Mathur), Central Support (Sarai), Machine for testing (Tripta), Software List (Leo Fernandez), Syllabus (Prateek). There's a new mailing list for the Linux for Schools project initiated by ILUG-Delhi. Please send subscribe in the Subject header to mailto:school-request@linux-delhi.org?subject=subscribe to subscribe; send mail to mailto:school@linux-delhi.org to post to it. Non-member posts are disabled by default. If you wish to post without subscribing, please send the mail to raju(a)kandalaya.org and he'll forward it. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GLUE, GETTING LOT OF UNADULTERATED ENTHUSIASM (ALREADY): Ajith Kumar <ajith(a)nsc.ernet.in> put together GLUE, what some are already callling an "excellent resource" of GNU/Linux resources for education. Says Prof Rayudu of the Goa Engineering College: "First let me congratulate all of you involved in compiling the CD. The CD is an excellent resource." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NOTHING OF MINE, SAYS KUMAR MODESTLY: When asked for permission to post it on a site, Kumar says modestly: "There is nothing much of mine in it, except a little bit in the physics, php and device driver sections. You can do anything with that internally. External hosting we cannot do with things like StarOffice 5.2 that is included in it. it is not much of an issue since we are not selling it. Try to utilize it any manner you find suitable. Try to distribute copies to anyone interested. Print the file gluecover.ps to make a paper cover for the CD if you like." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FOR DISKLESS TERMINALS: "(For diskless terminals) the CD contains most of the stuff needed, I hope. LTSP is very significant for us. NSC is using it on a large number of machines," says Kumar. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF GETTING GNU/LINUX INTO GOA SCHOOLS: Tom Fernandes, working amidst trying and difficult circumstances with others like Ashley Delaney and a few other volunteers, for the Goa Schools Computers Project, has something to report. Recently GSCP opted to install GNU/Linux in schools, with some support from Red Hat. Says Tom: "There is a project in Goa /India (www.goasudharop.org/gscp - sorry not much usefull information YET) where we distributed around 350 machines (Pentium 1) to schools all over Goa. Around 100 were sent out configured with LTSP.... We used RH 7.2. Servers are 166-200 MHZ with 96-128 MB of Edo RAM. Clients are 66-166MHZ, 16-32 MB of RAM." They're using Gnome and additionally windomaker. To make things easier, they customized the installation procedure and are writing some script to automize some things. The problems so far: * A lot of hardware probs (old buggy, hardware in a very tropical country (as Tom, who's of German-Indian origins, puts it: "At the moment my t-shirts are rotting.") * Gnome crashes sometimes (the server is just too slow, but what to do -- six slots for edo ram only and edo ram is not easily available or cheap * People mess up the settings (panel mostly) -- need some recovering scripts for the teachers to refresh some configs or create user-accounts anew * Not too much educational software (that might be your second biggest problem - support is your biggest... In addition, some other issues faced: * Many programs don't run in 640x480 proper and some teachers insist on it... on the 14" to 15" monitors * Some of the programs being used are gnumeric (sometimes buggy and limited-functionality), abiword (teachers are okay with that but now complain about missing tables), xpaint (ugly, but nothing better's available... couldn't get gpaint running yet), opera (ad-version), xwc ("llllighter than bloody Nautilus"). They still need to keep Mozilla (for helpfiles, etc) and Nautilus as it's backend for Gnome). Eager to replace it with gmc; suggestions for how to do so would be appreciated, as Nautilus is too slow for the machines being used. Mail software was still be searched for (something not heavy on resources). "The only time the (school) teachers have to use the console is to mount... will try to integrate supermount, which doesn't seem to be too easy and use the scripts we built," says Tom. In Goa, Arvind Yadav <arvind(a)opspl.com> customized RedHat 7.2, to create a CD that would allow for easy install on the school computers. There are about 15-20 volunteers to support some 20 schools. But something more is needed, suggests Tom. Much depends on the teachers and their attitude. Says he: "If you want to spread linux widely in schools (and want the teachers to really use the systems and not leave them getting dusted) you have to teach them proper (not only linux BUT WHY linux) . Here we told the schools: we can give you six slower systems where six kids can learn at the same time or we could have given you one new fast system where you can have linux (we paid 40$ for each system -- shipped and packed from the US to Goa -- all non profit organisations involved)." "Perhaps somebody should open a website www.reasons_for_linux_in_schools.org :-)," says Tom. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ **********************NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS***************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CDC LINUX, CSIR SIGN PACT: This report appeared in the BusinessLine commercial daily dated April 17, 2002 - the Bangalore-based CDC Linux has been signed on by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop portable software for bio-informatics on the GNU/Linux platform and the establishment of high performance supercomputing infrastrucutre for research organisations in bio-informatics, according to the company. The company will be an industry partner, under the CSIR's New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative. As part of the project, CDC-Linux will be collaborating with the Centre for Biochemical Technology on the development of software applications in the area of comparative genomics and proteomics. The products developed by CBT and fine-tuned by CDC Linux include the Genedecoder, a gene prediction tool, the Proteome Calculator, a comparative protein sequence analyser, and the See-Path, an intelligent protein classifer, according to CDC Linux. These products would be available for the international market, according to a press release. ENDS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WHAT'S NEW -- ASIA'S FIRST LINUX CD-ROM MAGAZINE: Linux Magazine on CD has just been announced by IQ Techmedia Pvt Ltd. The monthly CD-ROM magazine will focus on GNU/Linux, Free Software and the Open Source world. It is scheduled to be available as a five CD starter-kit on the stands "across the country" from June 16, 2002. The retail price of the kit is Rs 1500. DeveloperIQ will provide a CD-ROM of all updates and upgrades of more than 70 popular products in Open Source every month, for one year. That means 17 CDs in a year plus a bonus CD, almost 10 GB of researched content in a year. For the equivalent of US$30 (within India). Also round-the-clock six-days-a-week email support from Deep Root Linux Private Ltd. The starter-kit will contain RedHat 7.2 (2 CDs), applications (Openoffice 1.0, Galeon 1.2.1, KDE 3.0, Mozilla Internet suite 1.0rc2, Netscape 6.2.1, Acrobat reader 4.05, Gimp 1.2.3, Ximian Gnome 1.4, Kmail 1.0.29.2, gqmpeg 0.12.0, Etherape 0.8.2, Kyahoo 0.7, Image viewer 0.1.9, Qcad 1.4.7, Blender 2.12, Cross Artist 1.1, sfront 0.70 and more... a number of development tools, and an entertainment CD with over two dozen programmes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For GNU/Linux and BSD CDs check out http://www.linuxcampus.net This note came to us courtesy Prakash Adnani ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WROX... ROCKS?: Shivanand Nadkarni <shivanandn(a)wrox.com> informs that Wrox India has set up a full-fledged editorial office in Mumbai. "Wrox India will emphasize on open source technologies. Till now Wrox India has produced books on PostgreSQL, MySQL and PHP4," says he. Great news... Wrox is also very much interested in Indian talent pool. They are trying to seek as many Indian authors and reviewers. Recently, they were on a look out for technical reviewers for Apache 2.0. Contact details Shivanand Nadkarni Technical Editor, Wrox Press Ltd http://www.wrox.com or http://www.p2p.wrox.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NEWS FROM THE UNDP IN KUALA LUMPUR: Shahid Akhtar <shahid(a)apdip.net> of the Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme, a programme of the United National Development Programme, says APDIP is thinking seriously about organizing some kind of a consultation on open source/linux. Says Akhtar, who's headquartered in Kuala Lumpur: "We want to see how we can further this cause in the region. What would you say are the most important questions and issues that are require discussion? Who are some of the key players (institutions and individuals)in this arena in the region? What are some of the things that can be done at a practical level to get the open source research and development moving in the region? Who can do this best? Are there any present seminal studies, reports, efforts in the region that should be taken into account before one develops a plan of action in this area? Are there any other bodies out there who might wish to partner with APDIP-UNDP in this area?" Anyone with suggestions, please contact Akhtar. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPEN SOFTWARE: "Open Standards and Open Software in South Africa", discussion paper. In January, South Africa's National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) published a discussion document called "Open Standards and Open Software in South Africa: A Critical Issue for Addressing the Digital Divide". It "discusses the nature and impact of Open Software and recommendations for South Africa to take full advantage of this rapidly growing phenomenon in IT." The document is licensed Open Content, and there is a space on the NACI web site for public comment. http://www.naci.org.za [in English] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPEN PUBLICATION LICENCES, A NEW LICENSE: A new public license -- the Open Publication License -- promises to bring the power of the open-source software movement to video, audio, and text while still preserving authors' rights to profit from the calluses of their creative hands. http://www.wired.com/news/news/politics/story/20276.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GNU/LINUX... IN THE TRIBUNE OF CHANDIGARH: One recent article on GNU/Linux in the Third World, carried in Chandigarh's The Tribune: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020603/login/main1.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SHROFF GETS THE BOOKS ACROSS: From Mumbai Vikas Kasalkar (91 22) 763 4290, 768 9126 - ext. 120/121 or e-mail at kasalkar(a)shroffpublishers.com announces popular GNU/Linux books that are released. Some of the books he listed recently included Bill McCarty's 'A Guide to Red Hat Linux for New Users' Rs 450; Building Linux Clusters Rs 350; Linux Device Drivers Rs 375; Linux in a Nutshell 3/e Rs 300; Linux Network Adminstrator's Guide Rs 350; Running Linux Rs 500; and Understanding the Linux Kernel Rs 450. These books are between 376 pages to 824 pages thick. Some come with CDs. Good value for money, at affordable Indian prices, it seems! Details from spdorders(a)shroffpublishers.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HAVE YOUR SAY ON THIS FORUM FOR GNU ISSUES: Please check http://forum.gnu.org.in which is a forum to discuss GNU issues. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINUX ON IDGNET: Journalist John Ribeiro <ribeiro(a)vsnl.com> has put out an interesting article recently, linked to GNU/Linux and India. Check http://www.idgnet.com/ic_829012_4394_1-3921.html Ribeiro is based in Ashok Nagar, Bangalore. P; 91-80-5533341 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINUX DOC PROJECT TURNS 10 THIS YEAR: From: Sayamindu Dasgupta <unmadindu(a)Softhome.net> spares a thought to remember that the Linux Documentation Project turns 10 this year. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ YOU CAN POST YOUR GNU/LINUX ARTICLES HERE: Please visit http://opennews.indianissues.org. Our dream is to make this a modest site reporting on GNULinux issues in India. For posting GNU/Linux information in this e-zine, contact fred(a)bytesforall.org and send the details in plain-text format. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * FOOTNOTE: Frederick Noronha <fred at bytesforall dot org> is a Goa-based freelance journalist, who writes on IT-for-development and GNU/Linux themes regularly. He is currently working on a print-media fellowship from www.sarai.net to study the Indian contribution to GNU/Linux and is cofounder of BytesForAll <www.bytesforall.org>. Parag Mehta <pm at linuxindia dot org> is webmaster for Linux India, listadmin for Ilug-bom, Country Manager of India for Linux Counters. Visit his personal site at: http://pmehta.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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seeking free software contact for database project in Gujarat, India
by Arun M 05 Jul '02

05 Jul '02

Hi Mr Karl requires help of a database/web developer from Gujarat. Its for an organisation working on discrimination against the Dalits. > DBA Preferred skillset: > > _____________________________ > > > > + Is socio-politically conscientious > > + Is willing to work on the social issue > > + Familiar with local demographic concepts and challenges > > + Intuitively understands the value of collecting this database > > + Able to help turn paper-form data into digital data > > + Able to use, and committed to, Free Software > > + DBA skills include MySQL, and possibly PHP/HTML > > + Creative thinker If you can help contact karl(a)tux.org. Arun.

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seeking free software contact for database project in Gujarat, India
by Arun M 05 Jul '02

05 Jul '02

1 0

CDC Linux, CSIR sign pact
by Frederick Noronha 03 Jul '02

03 Jul '02

Does anyone have more information on this report, from the BusinessLine of April 17, 2002: CDC LINUX, CSIR SIGN PACT Bangalore: The Bangalore-based CDC Linux has been signed on by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop portable software for bio-informatics on the GNU/Linux platform and the establishment of high performance supercomputing infrastrucutre for research organisations in bio-informatics, according to the company. The company will be an industry partner, under the CSIR's New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative. As part of the project, CDC-Linux will be collaborating with the Centre for Biochemical Technology on the development of software applications in the area of comparative genomics and proteomics. The products developed by CBT and fine-tuned by CDC Linux include the Genedecoder, a gene prediction tool, the Proteome Calculator, a comparative protein sequence analyser, and the See-Path, an intelligent protein classifer, according to CDC Linux. These products would be available for the international market, according to a press release. ENDS

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Free Software User Group - Calicut mailing list
by baiju m 02 Jul '02

02 Jul '02

Hi all, Free Software User Group - Calicut has one mailing list to discuss various topics related to free softwares and freedom of users and devlopers. We are promoting free software use . To join the list send a mail to : fsug-calicut-request(a)freelists.org with subject as 'subscribe' You will receive a confirmation mail, just reply that mail without any changes to confirm your subscription. Then you can post your messages to fsug-calicut(a)freelists.org . Visit our wesite : http://www.freelists.org/webpage/fsug-calicut for more information about us. If you have any question about the group, please contact me. Regards, Baiju M __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free http://sbc.yahoo.com

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[solaris]A Business Case Study of Open Source Software (fwd)
by Frederick Noronha 02 Jul '02

02 Jul '02

---------- Forwarded message ---------- This is something I came across recently which I thought was useful for the open source community. It provides a good case for applying Linux and other open source software in business applications building on a military business case. Fred, maybe you can take the trouble to forward it to the Linux/open source oriented mailing lists. - Ashish ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- A Business Case Study of Open Source Software Carolyn A. Kenwood, The MITRE Corporation ABSTRACT This paper was prepared as part of The MITRE Corporation�s FY00 Mission-Oriented Investigation and Experimentation (MOIE) research project "Open Source Software in Military Systems.. This paper analyzes the business case of open source software. It is intended to help Program Managers evaluate whether open source software and development methodologies are applicable to their technology programs. In the Executive Summary, the paper explains open source, describes its significance, compares open source to traditional commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products, presents the military business case, shows the applicability of Linux to the military business case, analyzes the use of Linux, discusses anomalies, and provides considerations for military Program Managers. The paper also provides a history of Unix and Linux, presents a business case model, and analyzes the commercial business case of Linux. KEYWORDS: Linux, Open Source, Open Source Software, OSS, Software. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- For the complete text please download the portable document format (PDF) of this article. (http://www.mitre.org/support/papers/tech_papers_01/kenwood_software/kenwood _software.pdf). Warm regards, Ashish =============================================== Ashish Kotamkar (ashish(a)mithi.com) Mithi Software Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 302, Mayfair Court, Dr. Pai Marg, Baner Road, Pune 411 045. India. Tel: +91-20-729 3259/58 Fax: +91-20-729 3260 Web: http://www.mithi.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Communicate in your own language. Log onto www.mailjol.com. =============================================== solaris--independant forum for IT & development issues un/sub info: solaris-request(a)mail.sarai.net with the word "help" in the subject line or in the body of the message. URL: http://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/solaris/ archive: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/solaris/

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COMMENT: Left looks at free software only very slowly....
by Frederick Noronha 01 Jul '02

01 Jul '02

Would someone send this across to the CPI(M) government in West Bengal that seems to prefer Microsoft? FN >From ravis(a)sarai.net Mon Jun 17 01:23:20 2002 The issue of free software seems to have strangely passed the left in this country by.. This review came out in New Left Review (it was also posted in nettime), what was strange (but not surprising) was that NLR took so long to come to terms with such issues. For a long time the aging and (old-new) Left in the West looked at free software advocates as either as muddled libertarians, or confused anarchists. In that context this review of a biography of Richard Stallman is a welcome departure. Stallman, as some Delhi-based list readers will remember, spoke at Sarai on February of this year. New Left Review 15, May-June 2002 URL: http://www.newleftreview.net/NLR24907.shtml JULIAN STALLABRASS DIGITAL COMMONS The following passage appears very rarely in the copyright notice of a printed book: Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation Licence, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. It is to be found on the opening page of a new biography of the free-software programmer and activist, Richard Stallman, and (as the epilogue recounts) the unusual arrangement under which it is published is due to his stern insistence. The notice means what it says: anyone is free to copy, change and disseminate the book, provided they obey a set of rules, of which the most important are (a) that they must reproduce invariant portions of the text, protecting the recognition of its author, and (b) that any modified or copied text be subject to the same GFD licence. Furthermore, from June 2002, Sam Williams plans to publish the biography on the web site www.faifzilla.org, where readers can help to improve the work, or create a personalized version . . . We realize there are many technical details in this story that may benefit from additional or refined information. As this book is released under the GFDL, we are accepting patches just like we would with any free software program. Accepted changes will be posted electronically and will eventually be incorporated into future printed versions of this work. As the book makes plain, Stallman is an extraordinary figure -- a programmer of surpassing skill, capable of matching the output of entire commercial teams with his spare, elegant code; and a tireless, principled and uncompromising activist who initiated and fostered the notion of a data commons. Stallman not only developed the conceptual details of what has become known as 'copyleft' (it is sometimes indicated with a reversed (c) symbol), creating public-ownership licences that cover software and documents, but he also laboured to produce the fundamental elements of a free-software operating system a no-cost alternative to Windows, Mac OS and the rest, which anyone could download and improve. It was Stallman who, in the eighties, initiated and led work on a free-software version of Unix, which he dubbed GNU (a typically recursive programmer's joke, this, the initials standing for GNU's Not Unix). The extraordinary ambition to realize such a system was finally achieved using elements of GNU alongside a kernel written as a stop-gap, originally by Linus Torvalds, and developed into the Linux system; which, thanks to the efforts of thousands of collaborators internationally, has become a threat to Microsoft's monopoly. With his waist-length hair, flowing beard, brown polyester trousers and ill-matched T-shirts, Stallman himself is quite a contrast to Seattle's Digital Godfather. Born in 1953 he was, according to his mother, devouring calculus textbooks by the age of seven. Educated in New York's state schools, supplemented by Saturday sessions at the Columbia Honours' Programme, he initially led the isolated existence of a mathematical wunderkind, reading science fiction and MAD magazine, alienated from the 1960s protest movements. Studying mathematics at Harvard, he found his way to the Artificial Intelligence laboratory at MIT, and moved there for his postgraduate work. (Though officially independent of the Institute now, Stallman still operates out of 545 Tech Square.) It was at the AI lab that Stallman came into his own. There he found a tight-knit, highly collaborative group of dedicated hackers who exchanged information freely, working within egalitarian and informal structures. Openness was central to their ethos, and was defended vigorously and practicallyby breaking into offices where terminals had been left idle behind locked doors, for instance. Stallman even fought against the use of passwords. In the 1970s these programmers would freely exchange and tailor pre-compiled source codes, improving and customizing them to suit their requirements. From the turn of the 1980s, as the use of computers spread and software became a valuable commodity, companies copyrighted their programs and withdrew the source codes from the public domain. For programmers like Stallman, this was an assault on what they most cared about, as material that they had worked on for years was snatched from their graspan act analogous to the enclosure of common land. Stallman swiftly arrived at a strong position opposing this development: he would not use software that he was not allowed to alter or give to others. Computer codes were not scarce in the way that material goods were. Stallman likened them to recipes: to prevent people from swapping them, or tinkering with them to suit their tastes, was authoritarian, morally wrong, and a pollution of once open and collaborative social relations. Stallman argues that while companies address the issue of software control only from the point of view of maximizing profits, the community of hackers has a quite different perspective: "What kind of rules make possible a good -- society that is good for the people in it?". The idea of free software is not that programmers should make no money from their efforts indeed, fortunes have been made but that it is wrong that the commercial software market is set up solely to make as much money as possible for the companies that employ them. Free software has a number of advantages. It allows communities of users to alter code so that it evolves to become economical and bugless, and adapts to rapidly changing technologies. It allows those with specialist needs to restructure codes to meet their requirements. Given that programs have to run in conjunction with each other, it is important for those who work on them to be able to examine existing code, particularly that of operating systems indeed, many think that one of the ways in which Microsoft has maintained its dominance has been because its programmers working on, say, Office have privileged access to Windows code. Above all, free software allows access on the basis of need rather than ability to pay. These considerations, together with a revulsion at the greed and cynicism of the software giants, have attracted many people to the project. Effective communities offering advice and information have grown up to support users and programmers. The free exchange of software has led some commentators to compare the online gift economy with the ceremony of potlatch, in which people bestow extravagant presents, or even sacrifice goods, to raise their prestige. Yet there is a fundamental distinction between the two, since the copying and distribution of software is almost cost-free at least if one excludes the large initial outlay for a computer and networking facilities. If a programmer gives away the program that they have written, the expenditure involved is the time taken to write it any number of people can have a copy without the inventor being materially poorer. An ideological tussle has broken out in this field between idealists, represented by Stallman, who want software to be really free, and the pragmatists, who would rather not frighten the corporations. The term 'free', Eric Raymond argues in his book The Cathedral and the Bazaar, is associated with hostility to intellectual property rights even with communism. Instead, he prefers the "open source" approach, which would replace such sour thoughts with "pragmatic tales, sweet to managers' and investors=92 ears, of higher reliability and lower cost and better features". For Raymond, the system in which open-source software such as Linux is produced approximates to the ideal free-market condition, in which selfish agents maximize their own utility and thereby create a spontaneous, self-correcting order: programmers compete to make the most efficient code, and "the social milieu selects ruthlessly for competence". While programmers may appear to be selflessly offering the gift of their work, their altruism masks the self-interested pursuit of prestige in the hacker community. In complete contrast, others have extolled the "communism" of such an arrangement. Although free software is not explicitly mentioned, it does seem to be behind the argument of Hardt and Negri's Empire that the new mode of computer-mediated production makes "cooperation completely immanent to the labour activity itself". People need each other to create value, but these others are no longer necessarily provided by capital and its organizational powers. Rather, it is communities that produce and, as they do so, reproduce and redefine themselves; the outcome is no less than "the potential for a kind of spontaneous and elementary communism". As Richard Barbrook pointed out in his controversial nettime posting, 'Cyber Communism', the situation is certainly one that Marx would have found familiar: the forces of production have come into conflict with the existing relations of production. The free-software economy combines elements associated with both communism and the free market, for goods are free, communities of developers altruistically support users, and openness and collaboration are essential to the continued functioning of the system. Money can be made but need not be, and the whole is protected and sustained by a hacked capitalist legal tool copyright. The result is a widening digital commons: Stallman's General Public Licence uses copyright or left to lock software into communal ownership. Since all derivative versions must themselves be 'copylefted' (even those that carry only a tiny fragment of the original code) the commons grows, and free software spreads like a virus or, in the comment of a rattled Microsoft executive, like cancer. Elsewhere, a Microsoft vice-president has complained that the introduction of GPLs "fundamentally undermines the independent commercial-software sector because it effectively makes it impossible to distribute software on a basis where recipients pay for the product rather than just the distribution costs". Asked about his wider political convictions, Stallman replies: I hesitate to exaggerate the importance of this little puddle of freedom ... Because the more well-known and conventional areas of working for freedom and a better society are tremendously important. I wouldn't say that free software is as important as they are. It's the responsibility I undertook, because it dropped in my lap and I saw a way I could do something about it. But, for example, to end police brutality, to end the war on drugs, to end the kinds of racism we still have, to help everyone have a comfortable life, to protect the rights of people who do abortions, to protect us from theocracy, these are tremendously important issues, far more important than what I do. I just wish I knew how to do something about them." In fact, a look at Stallman's homepage, www.stallman.org, shows that he is trying to mobilize public opinion over a wide range of political issues. Beyond the "puddle", though, Stallman's ideas do have wider resonance. As music, films, images and texts have become digitized, lifted from their material substrata of plastic or paper, many of the considerations that apply to free software come to bear on them. The issue again is not just about copying but altering. In NLR 13, Sven Letticken eloquently described the advantages of intellectual 'theft'. Online, the challenges to copyright are considerable, as people swap files using peer-to-peer programs that sidestep centralized surveillance and control. This free exchange of cultural goods is pursued not simply for consumption but to provide material for active alteration most clearly so in music, where the sampling and mixing of diverse sources is common, but also in video, with "fan cuts" of TV shows and films. Sometimes such appropriations are undertaken with subversive intent for instance, in the copying of official websites for satirical purposes, such as those sponsored by the group RTMark, at www.rtmark.com. In the world of on-line art, attempts to claim exclusive ownership of works or sites have often been met with the practical political act of hacking and illicit copying. Stallman himself distinguishes between what he calls functional works (software tools, manuals and reference guides, for example), scientific and historical works, and works of art; in his view, all should be freely copied and distributed, but the latter two should only be modifiable if their authors assent. Stallman, whose defence of free software is in essence a moral one, has no doubt that free distribution should apply equally to cultural goods: "The number of people who find Napster useful ... tells me that the right to distribute copies not only on a neighbour-to-neighbour basis, but to the public at large, is essential and therefore may not be taken away". In a now well-known formulation, Stallman says of free software: "Don't think free as in free beer; think free as in free speech." Yet in fact much free software is actually costless, or very nearly so; likewise, swapped files containing music, pictures or video are extremely cheap to download. While to do so is often illegal under current copyright law, it is unclear whether the law could actually be enforced any more successfully in this area than it was over copying music to cassette tapes. Many of the advantages that work in favour of free software also apply to other goods particularly, but not solely, those in digital form. The argument about the efficiency that results from rapid peer review is of considerable importance. At www.foresight.org, K. Eric Drexler's pioneering essay on the potential of hypertext points up the fact that conversation on paper develops slowly (certainly in academic circles), due to the time needed for review, resubmission, publication and distribution, and the same is true of any riposte that may be published. What is more, the final result remains unchangeable, and isolated from the comments it has provoked. Hypertext allows for rapid revision, collapses the time-scale involved in getting a response and can link all related texts together. Free copying, linking and alteration are essential to this process. With cultural works, the right to alter is a free speech issue, as becomes clear when artists are sued for tampering with images of Barbie, using company logos or even invoking company names. Corporations not only want to give their brands and images powerful cultural currency, but also to control their further use. To be unable to play with the image of Mickey Mouse or Ronald McDonald due to the threat of litigation is a fundamental form of cultural censorship. Equally, the copying and alteration of online art works by other artists has been very important to the development of much Net art theft being seen as a form of flattery. The "copyleft" issue has major implications for the Left itself. Consider the example of NLR. Its on-line policy is to make all current political interventions, and a selection of articles from each issue, freely available at www.newleftreview.org, while electronic access to the entire contents of the journal is available only to subscribers. At the same time, the journal is protected by copyright and raises the money that it needs to be published at all from subscriptions, bookshop sales and reprint rights. Under the copyleft agreement, distribution of NLR material would be freely granted to all those who had a desire or need for it. Those who could afford the convenient and attractive packaging of the material that the physical magazine offers would still buy it, but those who needed the material without being able to afford the packaging would not be denied. Furthermore, documents could be annotated, updated, and placed alongside critiques (this can take place with convenience and speed on the Web, but need not be confined to the virtual sphere). As with free software, the ambition would be to foster a widening commons of writing and other cultural material, a sphere in which access is determined primarily by need and not price. In cases like this, would not the gamble offered by copyleft be that widening access, and the goodwill that it creates, increases rather than reduces income? Until nanobots labour over physical manufactured goods, free beer will not be on offer - though the artist and programmer Joshua Portway has remarked that Christ's miracle with the loaves and fishes produced the first open-source sandwich. Yet free speech and a free culture protected by the very mechanisms put in place to restrict ownership and maximize profits can be. The 'left' in copyleft should be taken seriously, as a matter of expediency and principle. In this way, Stallman's small puddle of freedom may become connected to an ocean _________________________________________ reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. 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