Fsf-friends July 2004

fsf-friends@gnu.org.in

23 participants
31 discussions

To open software within three years
by Manjush G.Menon 26 Sep '05

26 Sep '05

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

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PERUVIAN EFFORT COULD BAN MICROSOFT ON GOV. COMPUTERS (fwd)
by Frederick Noronha 16 Sep '04

16 Sep '04

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)

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Kerala and free soft
by Arun M 08 Sep '04

08 Sep '04

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.

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IOSN releases user guide to the [GNU]Linux desktop
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 30 Jul '04

30 Jul '04

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.net http://www.apdip.net

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Re: Kairali Linux
by Anand Babu 30 Jul '04

30 Jul '04

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 `----

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Re: [Fsf-friends] Computing and Learning for young children
by Kanti Jadia 29 Jul '04

29 Jul '04

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 -----------------------------------------

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Computing and Learning for young children
by rajeev joseph sebastian 27 Jul '04

27 Jul '04

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

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Re: [Fsf-friends] Fwd: [linux_schools] Setting Up Computer Lab in School in Bangalore
by Manilal 27 Jul '04

27 Jul '04

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

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[Fsf-friends] Fwd: [linux_schools] Setting Up Computer Lab in School in Bangalore
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 27 Jul '04

27 Jul '04

--- 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. http://messenger.yahoo.com

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Understanding GPL
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 26 Jul '04

26 Jul '04

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/ | | _______________________________|_ \_/_________________________________/ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail

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Fsf-friends July 2004