Original Message -----
From: "IT@School" <itschool(a)asianetindia.com>
To: <manjushmenon(a)hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 5:08 PM
Subject: Reply
> Mr.Manjush G. Menon
> We are not giving to depend totally on Ms. Products. Rather MS
> Office is taught along with open office and Windows along with Linux
> from this year. Arranging the resource persons for training an open
> software, making available the software, the maintenance of a help desk
> etc. are logistical issues which could not be immediately undertaken.
> We plan switch out to open software within three years.
> Executive Director
>
---- Original Message -----
From: Manjush G. Menon
To: itschool(a)asianetindia.com
Sent: Friday, October 04, 2002 5:46 PM
Subject: Respected sir,
From
Manjush G. Menon,
Sr.Programmer,
Sofker Solutions Pvt Ltd,
Kochi-18.
To
The Executive Director,
'IT @ SCHOOL' Project,
SCERT Buildings,
Poojapura,
Thiruvananthapuram-12.
Respected sir,
SUB: In protest against the inclusion of products from multinational companies
in the syllabus of 'IT @ SCHOOL'
It's a very dissappointing fact that when the whole world is moving towards
Free software, we at kerala are going behind a major MNC - Microsoft. I hereby register
my protest in such an act from 'IT @ SCHOOL' Project team.
Breaking of prototypes will definetly help us in finding economical and high quality
products for our future generation.
For students and programmers, the GNU Linux contains 'GNU Compiler Collections'
which includes C, C++, FORTRAN, PERL, TCL etc. Also, for DTP and other publishing purposes,
it includes GNU Office utilities like Abi-Word, gedit, and other worksheet utilities,
all these with a nominal cost of Rs 700-800/-. The software as it is, is free and
the cost is accounted towards the media (CD + Documentation) included.
By this letter, I urge you to take this matter seriously and suggest necessary modifications
in the action plan of 'IT @ SCHOOL' project.
Wishing you all the best and wishing all 'Students @ SCHOOL' a bright future,
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully
Manjush G. Menon.
______________________________________________________
Check out all the latest outrageous email attachments on the Outrageous Email Chart! - http://viral.lycos.co.uk
Thanks to George Lessard for posting this across. FN
---------- Forwarded message ----------
PERUVIAN EFFORT COULD BAN MICROSOFT ON GOV. COMPUTERS
Peruvian Congressman Edgar Villanueva is pushing legislation to obligate all
public institutions to convert exclusively to open-source software.
Open-source programs, embodied by the Linux operating system, have
underlying code available to anyone who wants to modify or customize it.
Such software, in unadorned form, can be downloaded from the Internet for
free. Villanueva hopes his measure triggers activity in Peru's software
industry by freeing programmers from the constraints of working with coding
controlled by a few large companies. Open-source could take the expense out
of software upgrades; which is important for a country like Peru that owes
about $30 million in overdue software license fees.
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/3531007.htm)
Hi Friend,
Sorry for not keeping you all updated.
We are having lot of work in Kerala.
Yesterday we organised a workshop for Journalists jointly with Working
Journalists association. It was poorly attended due to other reasons
like another parallel event and journalist here in Kerala were having
lot of work for last few days. But those who came really enjoyed the
workshop. They went back with a commitment to free software movement.
They have demanded their association to have another workshop on free
software.
Kerala is now seeing strong debate on local body computerisation and
free software. A study conducted by a group (i was also there) exposed
the fact that local body computerisation pilot effort is a failure and
state wide rollout based on this shouldnt happen. Government is planning
for a state wide rollout of Rs 150 crore e-gov program on M$ platform.
We have to stop this.
Arun.
Wish they had to talk of it as Free Software, instead of the term the
business press has hyped up. FN
---------- Forwarded message ----------
*From: * Sunil Abraham <sunil(a)mahiti.org> *Date: * 2004/07/28 Wed PM 09:45:20
GMT+05:30
*To: * s-asia-it <s-asia-it(a)apnic.net>
*Subject: * IOSN Releases: User Guide to Using the Linux Desktop
IOSN has produced an introductory end user guide to using the Linux desktop.
It is now available for review and feedback.
This user guide is meant as an introductory guide for a user to use a modern
personal computer (PC) running the Linux operating system. The main aim is
to provide a self-learning guide on how to use a modern Linux desktop
system. It assumes that the user has no prior knowledge of Linux or PC
usage.
The guide currently formatted for use as printed material, with the
acompanying slides to be used by trainers.
The training materials are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License.
User Guide to Using the Linux Desktop
http://www.iosn.net/training/end-user-manual/
Thanks,
Sunil Abraham, sunil(a)mahiti.org </agent/MobNewMsg?to=sunil(a)mahiti.org>
http://www.mahiti.org
314/1, 7th Cross, Domlur Bangalore - 560 071 Karnataka, INDIA
Ph/Fax: +91 80 51150580. Mobile: +91 80 36701931
Currently on sabbatical with APDIP/UNDP
Manager - International Open Source Network
Wisma UN, Block C Komplex Pejabat Damansara. Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights.
50490 Kuala Lumpur. P. O. Box 12544, 50782, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: (60) 3-2091-5167, Fax: (60) 3-2095-2087
sunil(a)apdip.net http://www.iosn.nethttp://www.apdip.net
Manilal/Manoj,
I appreciate your quick action. I will ask FSF-I members to review and
forward your distribution for localized e-Governance initiatives.
--
Anand Babu
Free as in Freedom <www.gnu.org>
,----[ ost(a)cdit.org ]
| Dear ab,
| Taking into account your suggestion, we have officially changed the
| name of our GNU/Linux distribution, Kairali Linux to Kairali GNU/Linux.
| Since we have printed the cover and stickers for the CDs we cannot
| change the labels on them immediately.This change will be effected in
| the covers when it goes to the press next time. Hereafter the
| Distribution will be officially referred as "C-DIT Kairali GNU/Linux".
| We will look forward for more suggestions.
|
| regards
| Manilal/Manoj
| --
| Open Source Technology Team,
| Centre for Development of Imaging Technology,
| C-DIT City Centre,
| Near Press Club,
| Statue,
| Thiruvananthapuram - 695001.
| Keralam, India.
| Telephone: ++91-471-2339539
| Fax: ++91-471-2335995
| Email: ost(a)cdit.org
| Website: www.cdit.org
`----
Hi Rajeev,
Please take a look at debian jr. project.
URL : http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-jr/index
:)
On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 rajeev joseph sebastian wrote :
>Hello freedom lovers,
>
> > I would suggest that you do not introduce computers
> > at the class 1
> > level. In my opinion, there should not be any
> > computer classes before
> > class 7 or 8. Below that age, children should be
>
>On the contrary, it will be extremely helpful (to say
>the least) to introduce programming, and games on the
>computer from atleast class 5. I have very good
>memories of when i played games like Lemonade and
>"programmed" in Logo, in the 1st and 2nd standards
>(due to my dad) and learning basic BASIC in the 5th
>(in a school environment). Complemented with a steady
>grounding in logic from class 5 until the introduction
>to Algorithms in 9th/10th it will make our peoples
>more _aware_ of the PC and its possibilities than
>being paper heroes.
>
>I think it helped in shaping my perception of what a
>computer is, not a machine (/compiler) to fight, and
>not a glorified jukebox.
>
> > running around and
> > playing more than anything else. They should,
> > ideally, learn through
> > play.
>
>I agree with you on this, and suggest that the
>computer be used a part of the environment of the
>student _in_ the classroom, rather than in a lab of
>some sort. Of course this will be more practical only
>in the very early classes like 1st and 2nd (where
>computer usage will be less and therefore there will
>requirement of less number of machines in each class).
>
>If I were microsoft, i would severly "attack" the
>lower classes, because children at this level is the
>future ( *hint* *hint*). Moreover, in the case of
>GNU/Linux, i think it would be MUCH easier to
>evagelise young children than very old ones, since
>they do not prefer and are not brainwashed yet.
>
> >There is a school in central Kerala that does
> > precisely this.
> > Children up to class 7 are not forced to sit in the
> > class or assigned
> > specific tasks. The job of the teacher is to ensure
> > that the children
> > learn things as a part of whatever they do. This is
>
>Consider for eg, Celestia. It is a very good tool for
>visualizing the solar system (if the graphics were a
>little better in the sense understandable).
>
>Geometric principles are introduced quite early in the
>indian child's lifetime, and software like KGeo
>(perhaps after simplification) could open up the world
>of visual mathematics to them, leading away from the
>purely symbolic means that is being used today.
>Remember a sound spatial sense/perception is very
>useful not only in making better civil/mechanical
>engineers, but also physicists, software architects
>and network engineers. However, today's education
>system does not handle this well.
>
>I have taught various aspects of network theory to
>students of various levels, and i have found that
>tutorials via the spatial perception are much more
>useful than long expositions on network history and
>what not. I feel that a computer is probably the
>_only_ tool (other than (expensive) physical models),
>that can give such training to students.
>
>My company (www.stendekrnd.com) is now investigating
>the creation of a "desktop" for young children, in
>which there is a simplistic GUI command environment to
>launch specific programs (such as celestia, etc).
>
> > hard on the teacher,
> > but the children do learn, and not just bookish
> > knowledge that helps
> > only to write answers in examinations.
>
>There will soon be a solution for this too from my
>company. watch this space for the next few months for
>more info on that :)
>
>Rajeev J Sebastian
>Stendek R&D
>
>
>
>
>
>__________________________________
>Do you Yahoo!?
>Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
>http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
>
>_______________________________________________
>Fsf-friends mailing list
>Fsf-friends(a)mm.gnu.org.in
>http://mm.gnu.org.in/mailman/listinfo/fsf-friends
-----------------------------------------
Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux.
http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html
-----------------------------------------
Hello freedom lovers,
> I would suggest that you do not introduce computers
> at the class 1
> level. In my opinion, there should not be any
> computer classes before
> class 7 or 8. Below that age, children should be
On the contrary, it will be extremely helpful (to say
the least) to introduce programming, and games on the
computer from atleast class 5. I have very good
memories of when i played games like Lemonade and
"programmed" in Logo, in the 1st and 2nd standards
(due to my dad) and learning basic BASIC in the 5th
(in a school environment). Complemented with a steady
grounding in logic from class 5 until the introduction
to Algorithms in 9th/10th it will make our peoples
more _aware_ of the PC and its possibilities than
being paper heroes.
I think it helped in shaping my perception of what a
computer is, not a machine (/compiler) to fight, and
not a glorified jukebox.
> running around and
> playing more than anything else. They should,
> ideally, learn through
> play.
I agree with you on this, and suggest that the
computer be used a part of the environment of the
student _in_ the classroom, rather than in a lab of
some sort. Of course this will be more practical only
in the very early classes like 1st and 2nd (where
computer usage will be less and therefore there will
requirement of less number of machines in each class).
If I were microsoft, i would severly "attack" the
lower classes, because children at this level is the
future ( *hint* *hint*). Moreover, in the case of
GNU/Linux, i think it would be MUCH easier to
evagelise young children than very old ones, since
they do not prefer and are not brainwashed yet.
>There is a school in central Kerala that does
> precisely this.
> Children up to class 7 are not forced to sit in the
> class or assigned
> specific tasks. The job of the teacher is to ensure
> that the children
> learn things as a part of whatever they do. This is
Consider for eg, Celestia. It is a very good tool for
visualizing the solar system (if the graphics were a
little better in the sense understandable).
Geometric principles are introduced quite early in the
indian child's lifetime, and software like KGeo
(perhaps after simplification) could open up the world
of visual mathematics to them, leading away from the
purely symbolic means that is being used today.
Remember a sound spatial sense/perception is very
useful not only in making better civil/mechanical
engineers, but also physicists, software architects
and network engineers. However, today's education
system does not handle this well.
I have taught various aspects of network theory to
students of various levels, and i have found that
tutorials via the spatial perception are much more
useful than long expositions on network history and
what not. I feel that a computer is probably the
_only_ tool (other than (expensive) physical models),
that can give such training to students.
My company (www.stendekrnd.com) is now investigating
the creation of a "desktop" for young children, in
which there is a simplistic GUI command environment to
launch specific programs (such as celestia, etc).
> hard on the teacher,
> but the children do learn, and not just bookish
> knowledge that helps
> only to write answers in examinations.
There will soon be a solution for this too from my
company. watch this space for the next few months for
more info on that :)
Rajeev J Sebastian
Stendek R&D
__________________________________
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V. Sasi Kumar said:
> I would suggest that you do not introduce computers at the class 1
> level. In my opinion, there should not be any computer classes before
> class 7 or 8.
Yes, But there are many schools(Mostly Pvt schools) in Kerala which have
made computer learning a must in primary classes. This is absurd. Children
should allowed to play and learn freely.
> specific tasks. The job of the teacher is to ensure that the children
> learn things as a part of whatever they do. This is hard on the teacher,
> but the children do learn, and not just bookish knowledge that helps
> only to write answers in examinations.
This is not acceptable to the public(especially parents). They only want
ranks and merits not knowledge.
But this is actually out of the scope of this mailing list.
regards
Manilal
--- coverify <coverify(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> To: linux_schools(a)yahoogroups.co.in
> From: "coverify" <coverify(a)yahoo.com>
> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:09:34 -0000
> Subject: [linux_schools] Setting Up Computer Lab in
> School in Bangalore
>
> Hi,
> I just joined the group. I am working for a non
> profit organization
> (www.hohinc.org) and we are planning to setup a
> school computer lab
> in Bangalore. The address of the school is-
>
> ATMA SHREE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
> 7th MAIN ROAD THAYAGARAGANAGAR,
> BANGALORE 560028 INDIA
>
> I am looking for resources that could -
> 1. Support the hardware
> 2. Syllabus based on open source software for
> children of class 1
> to Xth.
> Since the standard of English is not very good,
> are there any
> support for "Kannada" language.
> 3. Are there any such center in Bangalore that we
> can contact.
>
> Thanks
> sanjeev
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/linux_schools/
>
> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> to:
> linux_schools-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.co.in
>
> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
=====
____________________________________
/\ \
\_| Rakesh 'arky' Ambati |
| Bangalore (INDIA) |
| Homepage: http://arky.port5.com/ |
| _______________________________|_
\_/_________________________________/
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Express yourself with Y! Messenger! Free. Download now.
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Dear Friends,
In the fews weeks I spoke to some of my friends
about the GPL and to my horror I found that not all us
(including me) understand the GPL in its complete
form.
Perhaps, its due to lack of legal training or pure
ignorance.The GPL in its many forms and applications
behaves differently.Thank God, we have few lawyers
within us,is it possible that anyone of
1) Act as a guru to provide a knowledge base like
this.
http://www.crmguru.com/gurus/
2) Help build a forum to address the GPL issues
TIA
--arky
=====
____________________________________
/\ \
\_| Rakesh 'arky' Ambati |
| Bangalore (INDIA) |
| Homepage: http://arky.port5.com/ |
| _______________________________|_
\_/_________________________________/
__________________________________
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