Fsf-friends April 2003

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61 discussions

NEWS: Indlinux.org announced launch of Hindi interface for computers
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 08 Apr '03

08 Apr '03

------------------------------------------------------------------ INDLINUX.ORG ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF HINDI INTERFACE FOR COMPUTERS IndLinux.org's Milan software enables Hindi users to use computers in their own language, a major leap forward in bringing the benefits of information technology to Indian masses COMPLETE STORY: http://linuxpr.com/releases/5732.html ------------------------------------------------------------------

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Microsoft is not a US monopoly - IT Minister Kerala.
by Arun M 07 Apr '03

07 Apr '03

Kerala IT Minister said Malappuram district that Boycotts should not hurt the `IT development' of the state. Sorry no more info. arun.

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GPL and 'intellectual property'
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 07 Apr '03

07 Apr '03

AFAIK, the GPL is not aimed at protecting so-called 'intellectual property'. What it *does* try to do is to make software accessible to whoever needs it, regardless of how rich or poor they may be. If our model is to build up ourselves into a Bill Gates, then this is perhaps problematic. But if our concern is to make software accessible to the vast majority of a country like, say, India, this is indeed something very innovative. It is also a powerful tool to ensure that knowledge remains -- as it has long been, for most part -- in the public domain. The GPL also recognises that much of what we call knowledge is based on prior-knowledge of others. If we block the cycle of innovation by concepts like 'intellectual property', the entire humanity will be poorer off. Incidentally, my friend in Finland, Niranjan Rajani, has done a study which indicates that terms which we take so much for granted today (like 'intellectual property') was first used just in 1968, with the formation of the 'World Intellectual Property Organisation' or WIPO. Apart from a few individuals, do the bulk of the people of this planet have anything to gain from such concepts? This is just my view and understanding. Copying it to others from FSF-India, who could also give their perspective on the issue. FN > ________________________________________________________________________ > ________________________________________________________________________ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 05:51:18 +0200 > From: Satuluri Venkata Rahul <srahul(a)vanenburg.com> > Subject: Doubts on the GNU Public Licensing > > Hi, > > I have a question about the GNU PL. How does the GNU PL protect > intellectual property rights? > > I am aware that the question is open ended. It potentially invites > numerous discussions on aspects like patenting, documentation et al. Please > help me (and possibly more newbie colleagues of this grp) develop a > comprehensive view about the issues involved. > > Regards > Venkata Rahul -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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LINK Parliamentary question...
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 06 Apr '03

06 Apr '03

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA * Minitry of Communications and Information Technology (Department of Information Technology) Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No 2330 To be answered on 13-0302993 Setting up of research institutions 2330 Shri Eduardo Faleiro Will the Minister of Communications & Informatin Technology be pleased to state: (a) whether Government have any plans to set up research institutions to further skills in free/open source software; (b) Government funded institutions already utilising free/open source software in a significant manner; and (c) whether the STate government would be, in any way, encouraged to go in for FS/OSS solutions specially while spreading Information Technology at the educational level? ANSWER (a), (b) and (c): Department of Information is conceiving of "Linux India Initiative" which will be targeted to take a set of steps including further of skills in free software/open source software. Other steps that will be included as part of same would, inter alia, include setting up of resource centres. Various Government funded institutions such as R&D labs, academia, Government departments, as also those in industry, are already utilizing free software/open source software in a significant manner. Examples of Government-funded institutions utilizing free software/open source software are BARC and IIT, Mumbai. The "Linux India Initiative" mentioned above would also include encouragement of FS/OSS solutions at the educational level. Already, lot of educational institutions, especially engineering institutions use FS/open source software extensively. Linux India initiative is also intended to address this aspect. -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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Simputer FAQ (thanks to Edward Cherlin)
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 05 Apr '03

05 Apr '03

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Message: 3 Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2003 12:54:15 -0800 From: Edward Cherlin <cherlin(a)pacbell.net> Subject: Simputer FAQ This is a draft FAQ for the Simputer, meant for anybody to e-mail to their friends who inquire what the Simputer is, and for new members of this list. Further questions and answers welcome. Simputer FAQ 1. What is the Simputer? 2. What features make Simputers suited to use by poor people? 3. What are Simputers for? 4. Where can I get a Simputer? 5. What software runs on Simputers? 6. Where can I find out more about the Simputer? 1. What is the Simputer? Although the Simputer (Simple, Inexpensive, Multilingual Computer) looks a lot like a PDA, it was designed primarily for use by poor people to provide access to health, education, information, and other services. As a Linux handheld with unequalled connectivity at an unheard-of low price, the Simputer turns out to be a platform well-suited to Free Software, commercial applications, and embedded systems of many kinds. The basic model starts at US$206.00. The Simputer has the following connections built in. Infrared (IrDA) SmartCard reader/writer USB master USB slave Sound I/O 56K modem Serial port Compact Flash connector External power Simputers can be connected to anything supported by infrared, USB, or Compact Flash interfaces, a serial port, or a modem. This includes wired and wireless LANs, the Internet, data acquisition systems, GPS, Flash storage devices, hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD drives, mouse, keyboard, external monitor, wired and IrDA printers, and most other computer peripherals and communications systems. 2. What features make Simputers suited to use by poor people? The Simputer is designed with multilingual capability, including Text-to-Speech conversion for several languages of India. Voice recognition will be added later, and voice capabilities will be expanded to other languages. A very large pool of no-cost software can be put on the Simputer. Simputers can be shared using inexpensive SmartCards for private storage. This reduces the cost per person greatly. Simputers use 2 AA batteries for power, or an external transformer. Lithium ion AA batteries can be recharged using solar or human power in areas where there is no electric supply. 3. What is the Simputer for? Applications of the Simputer are in development in many areas. Applications directed especially at the needs of the poor include health, education, government services, microbanking, access to information, and general communication. Other applications include inventory management, agriculture, scientific and government data acquisition, financial services, construction, and many more. 4. Where can I get a Simputer? Simputer development systems are currently available. This includes a monochrome Simputer, a color Simputer, and the Simputer SDK on CD-ROM, all for US$1500.00. The Simputer SDK includes all of the tools needed to compile applications for the Simputer on any supported Linux system, or on Windows. Simputers are not in retail distribution. Some potential development partners are in discussions with Encore Technologies, the principal manufacturer, about retail versions. FCC approval is being sought in the U.S., and similar efforts are under way for other markets. 5. What software runs on Simputers? The Simputer comes with standard Unix utilities, a hardware "control panel" set of utilities, and the following applications and demonstrations. E-mail Notepad Address book (seven languages) Calculator Web browser File browser Unix terminal running sh shell command interpreter MP3 music player Image file viewer IrDA printing utility Banking demo Billing demo Land survey demo Meter reader demo SmartCard reader/writer demo Text-to-Speech demo There are thousands of Unix/Linux applications that will run on Simputers. Many have been compiled for the StrongARM processor in the Simputer, and are available for download. Others can be cross-compiled from source code on any system running the Simputer SDK, and then downloaded to the Simputer. A Java system and several APL systems are being ported to the Simputer. Programming languages currently available for Simputer development include C, C++, Perl, Python, and LISP. There are Integrated Development Environments supporting all of these languages together with GUI development tools and numerous libraries. 6. Where can I find out more about the Simputer? The Simputer Trust (originators of the design) http://www.simputer.org Encore Technologies (manufacturer) http://www.simputerland.com Picopeta (manufacturer) http://www.picopeta.com The Showcase section of simputerland.com lists a number of applications and tools in development, and a number of partner companies working on Simputer development. -- Edward Cherlin Generalist & activist--Linux, languages, literacy and more "A knot! Oh, do let me help to undo it!" --Alice in Wonderland ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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Re: Budding GNU/Linux User Group
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 05 Apr '03

05 Apr '03

Thanks very much Vijay. Could you please add me to the mailing list? Let us know how we can help... If you would like us to share CDs with you, please send us a list of what you already have. The condition is that you must then share these freely with others in your area. Deal? FN On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, Vijay Kumar B. wrote: > Dear Sir, > we here at Trichy(TN), have started a new GNU/Linux User Group. We would like to > announce it through you newsletter. Our website is http://glugt.linuxisle.org. > Our mailing list is glug_t(a)freelists.org. > > Yours Sincerely, > Vijay Kumar. > Coordinator, > GNU/Linux User Group, Trichy > > > Non-free* software sucks. - RMS > * 'free' as in > freedom. > > --------------------------------------------- > This message was sent from RECTMAIL. > http://www.rect.edu/ or http://rangoli.rect.ernet.in/ > > -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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Science India editorial
by Arun M 04 Apr '03

04 Apr '03

http://forum.gnu.org.in/1049371309/index_html The Columbia Tragedy The month of February started with a tragedy in the sky, a tragedy that could have been averted , like most others, if human knowledge had been more complete, or perhaps, if some individuals had taken more care. Science India pays homage to the seven space travellers who lost their lives as the space shuttle disintegrated high in the sky.We can add their names to the seven others who died when another space shuttle, the Challenger, blew up on the launch pad, or to thirteen others who died in various accidents involving spacecraft. Let us remember the jundreds or thousands of others, known and unknown, who had their lives prematurely terminated in our quest for the kind of technology that makes it possibel for us to go beyond the atmosphere. And a similar number of people who helped build up the scientific knowledge base for the development of technology. And, indirectly, the millions upon millions who helped all of us lead a life dvoted to science and technology by providing us the basic amenities of life. Let this remind us that knoledge is a product of social activity, contributed by one and all, and, as such, everyone is heir to all knowledge. Let this also remind us that knowledge is to be used for social good, and not for personal advancement. if the lives of the seven astronauts can remind us of this fact, they would have achieved far more than what they went to space for.

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GNUBeLUG... another report from Belgaum
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 04 Apr '03

04 Apr '03

URL : http://www.geocities.com/tonysingh4u/gnubelug.txt Minutes of GNU Be LUG Meet In an engineering college in Belgaum, called GIT, there are a few students who felt strongly about Free Software and its ideology. They wanted to eductae people around them and wanted to spread the message as we at Mumbai do. They took an obvious step, formed a formal LUG(ilug-belgaum(a)yahoogroups.com) about 6 months ago, and started introducing people to a new option. But they wanted to hold a big event, and event where they could have a larger number of people know of the option. So, they (Ashutosh Naik, Rohan, Rahul, Sanket Patil just to name a few) started to concieve this event which i'll describe in this article. Saturday, March 29th 2003, I and Bhaskar Ghosh another member of the Mumbai LUG reached the Belgaum bus station and called up the volunteers to pick us up. In no time they were there and I could notice the similar air of friendlyness that i'v always noticed with the Mumbai Luggerz. We quickly got fresh in a hotel wher we were put up and reached the college. The first look at the college made our jaws drop. We could notice lovely posters and banners al over the place with our own tux and GNU on them. Once in the lecture hall, we were introduced to all the the luggers of belgaum and we quickly looked over the arrangements that were loveley. The crowd started coming in and in no time we had main hall jampacked with around 150 minds, but this is not it. There was another hall arranged for the event and all the proceedings in the main hall were being streamed thru a web cam and displayed in the second hall. The first talk for the day was by Ashutosh Naik ofGIT who spoke about THE philosophy. He had er good presentation compiled which gave the taste of everything RMS talks about in his talks. So what if we didnt have RMS for the event, atleast we had a local RMS to take his place:). During the talk i was doing some face reading and noticed that the audience was a highly participating one and wanted to participate more. After Ashotosh's talk we had a very fruitful question answer session with people asking a lot about the differences of Free software and the Open Source Movements. We went on with some trivia for the audience and giving away of Knoppix CDs. I tried to make that very interactive from then on, and took things trevor ishtyle. Next speaker was Bhaskar Ghosh from DYPCOET kolhapur who did the installation of RH8 with specific stress on points like partitioning. He, actually went there as audience and wanted to use this as an opportunity to meet the luggers, but ended up speaking because due to some reasons Mr Dinesh Shah could'nt make it. After a quick snack break. we then had Rahul Iyer of GIT, belgaum talk about Kernel Modules. This talk was very informative and I must say that the LUG at belgaum is lucky to have a true kernel hacker with them right from its inception. Some more trivia and a few more knoppix CDs followed and then it was my turn. I was talking about using GNU/Linux for day to day use. As a part of that I also demoed knoppix and IndLinux. I could here a similar sigh from the audience that i heard at GNUnify, Pune, when they saw Gedit with hindi menus. I also got it across that the students sitting out there could actually contribute to this project. That was the end of the first days proceedings and we were again taken for a few snacks. Late in the evening a mini bus arrived at the hotel. We had a big contingent coming down from Goa for the event. I could see familiar faces like Fredrick Noronha, Dr. Anil Seth, Arvind Yadav etc and there were a few people i didnt know but got to know soon like Dr Gurunandan Bhat, Mr Dsouza, Amitay, Allwyn Noronha(no he is not FN's brother). Over dinner there was a lot of interaction and people were eating less and talking more. It was almost 11:30 by we finished dinner and a few people wanted to sleep, but a few people thought otherwise. FN made it a point to have Arvind Yadav and me otherwise we would have chatted all night and been drowsy the next day. Soon Trevor Warren and Warren Noronha from Bombay joiined the bandwangon(yes! another noronha. There was jokes of establising a noronha lug out there. lol) The next day was opened by FN who spoke about the status of the movement in India. I remember him stating that how we take the movement forward would make or break the movement, this made me feel more responsible. Next to speak was Dr. Anil Seth, an educationist as of now. He had compiled a very good analysis on "why GNU/Linux?". a new thing i noticed in his talk was that after he made the advantage clear he also touched an important point. he stated "What if I am wrong? you cant be trusting anyone like that. You still dont have anything to lose". The stage was then taken by the Trevor Warren who was speaking about Embedded Linux. Well we all know that Trevor gets to the stage, he is always amidst the audience. He and Warren Noronha demoed a few interesting Embedded equipment including a PDA and a box with a 512MB flas, a 486 processor and a wireless NIC that they had deployed on top of buses for the Karnatak Govt. We had the very knowledgable Dr. Bhat from Synapse Goa speak about SOAP and web services just before lunch. I have noticed this common thing when IITians talk, they have a fair amount of humour in their talks and thus make their highly technical talks the most engrossong ones.I have to add over here that Dr Bhat is the person who wrote the tex module of emacs and still he is the most humble man i have ever met. The last talk of the day was by Arvind Yadav from Goa who covered a lot of technical topics including .NET's counterpart in Free Software and a little more on the partitioning when dual boot systems are to be done up. His was a more of a question answer session and I was amazed atthe amount of questions that were pouring on. The last leg was a panel discussion where all the speaker were on the stage and one mic was always in the audience. Various topics were discussed including technical and topics related to ideaology and how could a i miss "making a living from free software". Bhaskar and I, the die hard fans of RMS spoke a lot about him and how the GNU project went about during this session. One more thing worth mentioning is that we had almost 200 copies of LFY march given away in the two days, which were sponsored by Mr. Rahul Chopra,editor LFY and we are very thankful to him for that. That apart we also had 87 copies of the knoppix CDs either sold or given away as prizes for trivia. 2 days of brain storming, almost 10 speakers, 200 magazines going out and almost 75 CDs of knoppix sold and an amazing amount of interaction with the audience of almost 250. How would one sum this all up? The only adjective that come to my mind is FRUITFUL, very very FRUITFUL. ^^^^^ LINKS ilug-belgaum(a)yahoogroups.com ilug-goa(a)yahoogroups.com fred(a)bytesforall.org(FN) guru(a)plusthought.org (Dr Gurunandan Bhat) GNUrpreet singh gnurpreet(a)softhome.net -------------------------------------------- Copyleft 2003 gurpreet. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.1 or later. -------------------------------------------

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NEWS: India neutral on Linux-MSN issue: Shourie
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 03 Apr '03

03 Apr '03

---------- Forwarded message ---------- India neutral on Linux-MSN issue: Shourie By Imran Qureshi, Indo-Asian News Service Bangalore, Apr 1 (IANS) India is neutral in the open source vs. proprietary software debate and will adopt a policy that will serve the country better, Minister for IT Arun Shourie said Tuesday. Making it clear that the government would not take a stand on supporting either the Linux or Microsoft platforms, he said no circular had been issued by his ministry to support either. Shourie's statement is the first categorical one from the government, which has been besieged by supporters of open source and proprietary software to promote their platforms. "I am not prepared to give a carte blanche. In India there is too much of 'either ... or'. There should be 'also' too", Shourie told reporters here. He was speaking on the sidelines of a function to dedicate Param Padma, a one teraflop super computing cluster that is the largest in the Asia-Pacific region outside Japan. Decisions on the MSN-Linux issues would be taken on a "case by case basis. For instance, CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) will decide what will serve the country better," Shourie maintained. The open source platform provides the code for developers to modify for their applications. This code is not available in proprietary software. The campaign has been termed freedom against dependency. The debate on the issue got a fillip when Microsoft head Bill Gates visited India last year to push for proprietary software in the wake of the growing inroads by Linux among India's 500,000-strong developer community. Gates as well as supporters of open source like IBM and Sun Microsystems have committed millions of dollars to promote their platforms. "If there is a security product that we need and supposing it is required immediately and someone else has it, are we going to say we will develop it ourselves?" Shourie asked. Speaking after inaugurating the C-DAC facility, Shourie said "sensitive organizations should use indigenous software and hardware because bugs can develop several years later". --Indo-Asian News Service

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SITEWATCH: What exactly is gnowledge?
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 02 Apr '03

02 Apr '03

URL : http://www.gnowledge.org Welcome to Gnowledge! By `gnowledge' we mean the knowledge accessible freely for the community in general, and to the users of the WWW in particular. We expect that the `g' in the term `gnowledge' is pronounced hard, and is not silent as `k' in `knowledge'. The possible Sanskrit and Greek roots of the term `knowledge' and the ideal of GNU to share knowledge in general and software knowledge in particular inspired us to use this term. At this site we will publish software to manage gnowledge. We desire to make this a community portal for those who believe in sharing. We are developing a gnowledge management application called GNOWSYS. Find out more about it by navigating through the menu on the left side. Powered by GNOWSYS, [15]ZOPE, [16]Python, [17]GNU/Linux � Nagarjuna G.[18]Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education

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Fsf-friends April 2003