Fsf-friends October 2007

fsf-friends@gnu.org.in

13 participants
20 discussions

by Sarath Lakshman | ശരത്ത് ലക് ഷ്മണ്

Hi friends, Recently I have written an application which can be used in the schools in kerala as student admission register as per Kerala Educational Rules [KER]. This would make tasks such as T.C issuance, finding details about students etc easier. Checkout http://code.google.com/p/school-admin Platforms: GNU/Linux , M$ Windows Comments please :) -- Sarath Lakshman http://sarathlakshman.info

15 years, 9 months

[CROSS-POSTED] Re: National Policy on ICT in Education

by Raj Mathur

On Thursday 18 October 2007 13:57, H.S.Rai wrote: > If any one want to send some suggestions. This is important enough to me, and presumably to a number of other people on these lists. I have started putting my thoughts down on the web, and invite anyone who wants to contribute to add to them (it's on a Wiki): http://wiki.linux-delhi.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Main/NationalICTEducation The document is still quite preliminary and I'm hoping that people more qualified than me will take some time and help fill in the copious blanks. Insh'allah some of the ideas that we come up with would be able to influence the forthcoming policy in a positive direction. I have just one request, which is to avoid jingoistic anti-MS statements that may end up making the whole document unpalatable to policy makers (this is specifically aimed at the Linux/FOSS community ;) Here the subtle knife may be preferable to the blunt hammer. Note that you will have to register on the Wiki before you can edit the page. Your account details will remain confidential. Regards, -- Raju -- Raj Mathur raju(a)kandalaya.org http://kandalaya.org/ Freedom in Technology & Software || February 2008 || http://freed.in/ GPG: 78D4 FC67 367F 40E2 0DD5 0FEF C968 D0EF CC68 D17F PsyTrance & Chill: http://schizoid.in/ || It is the mind that moves

15 years, 10 months

(no subject)

by Muralidharan Nair

15 years, 10 months

UK schools warned off M$ deal.-BBC

by Vikram Vincent

"The UK computer agency Becta is advising schools not to sign licensing agreements with Microsoft because of alleged anti-competitive practices. " http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7063716.stm -- Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://www.swatantra.org/

15 years, 11 months

Fwd: [blug-non-tech] MS sneaks in Patent Tax in Anti-trust ruling

by Praveen A

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Vinayak Hegde <vinayakh at gmail.com> Date: २००७ अक्तूबर २४ १३:०२ Subject: [blug-non-tech] MS sneaks in Patent Tax in Anti-trust ruling To: linux-bangalore-non-tech at yahoogroups.com I am surprised no one is discussing this. http://press.ffii.org/Press_releases/EU_tells_open_source_to_start_paying_M… -- Vinayak -- Before posting to this list, read the list rules FIRST! http://blug.in/list-rules -- പ്രവീണ് അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില് Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

15 years, 11 months

Fwd: [ifsa] RMS: Learn to share!

by Praveen A

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: rek2GNU/Linux <rek2 at binaryfreedom.info> Date: २००७ अक्तूबर २४ ०४:३४ Subject: [ifsa] RMS: Learn to share! To: Independent Free Software Global Activist <independentfreesoftwareactivists at binaryfreedom.info> Stallman: Students Should Be Taught to Share With The Class Sun, 2007-10-21 10:41 — dcp Richard Stallman, in receiving an honorary Doctorate from Italy's University of Pavia, brought back memories of the basic primary school principle that students bringing cookies to class should bring enough for everyone. In his speech, Richard Stallman discussed how innovation can impact individuals and society for better or for worse. He pointed out the negative innovation of bringing criminal charges against fishermen for rescuing distressed migrants at sea. Such innovations directly affect our freedom. Stallman went on to pose the question he considers most vital when considering technological innovations: "How does this affect our freedom? How does this affect our social solidarity?" He then addressed the issue of non-Free developer as dictator, exerting total control over software and its users. Stallman attacked Windows Vista, Apple, and Google Earth as examples of how companies attempt to restrict users' freedom with respect to software. Stallman emphasized the two freedoms that seem most important of the Four Fundamental Freedoms: the freedom to help your neighbor and the freedom to contribute to your community. Combined with the other two freedoms, users can exert more control over the direction of innovation in software. He reminded his audience that by exerting dictatorial control over the software, developers then have the ability to spy on users, without regard for the user's privacy, freedom or even the law of the land. And there is nothing users can do about it. He then went on to mention that Yahoo and Hotmail have been blocking e-mail from TruthOut.org from reaching subscribers who use their services. In separate news, Verizon Wireless came under attack for the same kind of behavior with respect to its phone services. Thus, the ability to exert such control can easily lead to direct attacks on Freedom of Speech. Free Software prevents such things from happening. Stallman went on to highlight the special connection between Free Software and educational institutions. For those who recall teachers admonishing students to bring enough cookies to share with the class, Stallman similarly admonished educational institutions: "So every school should bring only Free Software to class, and set an example with its software of the practice of disseminating human knowledge while building a strong, capable, independent and free society. And encouraging the spirit of good will, of helping other people." In Stallman's view, the mission of any educational institution is to teach students to be strong and independent, rather than dependent. Thus, schools should make it an objective to reject the "shiny new chains" of Windows Vista, and other non-Free software, and migrate to Free Software, as part of their overall mission. "Other Universities are doing this or have done it: you can do it too. You only have to reject social inertia as a valid reason for going deeper and deeper into the pit.", he said. -- IndependentFreeSoftwareActivists mailing list IndependentFreeSoftwareActivists(a)binaryfreedom.info http://www.binaryfreedom.info/mailman/listinfo/independentfreesoftwareactiv… List rules: http://www.binaryfreedom.info/?q=node/48 -- പ്രവീണ് അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില് Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

15 years, 11 months

Save Kannada what?? (Was:Log out of Microsoft tie-up, say open software advocates)

by Vikram Vincent

Hello, I was a bit tied up for the last few days and could not give my attention to this issue and hence the late reply. <quote> FREE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OF INDIA 18th Oct 2007 Trivandrum PRESS RELEASE *Save Kannada From Microsoft's Monopoly* ====================================== http://www.gnu.org.in/node/129 <...> </quote> I am a bit surprised that FSF-I has sent out a press release with a title that is nothing short of promoting linguistic chauvinism. When the draft was released by Omshivaprakash I raised the following points: <quote> A few thoughts about the letter: 1. The main points of the letter - gives adequate focus on the Kannada language aspects, talks about "lock-in" and benefit of free software. 2. Can a few point about the ODF vs. OOXML and India's stand on the issue be added? I think this is very relevant to the situation. 3. Can we increase the emphasis of quality of localisation with free software. 4. Maybe quote a few points from the IOSN webpage http://www.iosn.net/ on why developing countries such as India would find it more advantageous to use FOSS based solutions. While the language issue would stir our passions, on its own it would not present a compelling case since Free s/w Kannada localisation is also still backward. Hope these points are taken into consideration when finalising the letter(if this a draft). </quote> The issue at hand is more related to the 'ISO standards' and 'healthy business practises' rather than 'language' and FSF-I's press release should have reflected that. The FSF should always ensure that its stand on any issue conforms to certain scientific rationale and cannot and should not promote any petty interests but should focus on convincing people logically. The language argument that has been raised does not hold water because the free software localisation to Kannada also is still very backward. Our only hope is that free software promotes a healthy evolution of the system with quality and quantity. While the "Save Kannada campaign" is not under FSF-I, I would like to urge them too to address the intellect rather than the baser human emotions. The only was to protect any language is to ensure that a strong local economy is generated around it. This can happen only when the knowledge is localised and sufficient trained labour can be developed around it. Then, capital by the businesses along with pro-people government policies along with constant pressure by the people will ensure that the economy grows healthily and only then will that language survive else it will end up like Sanskrit, Latin, Pali and others. Thank you, Regards -- Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://www.swatantra.org/

15 years, 11 months

[bangalore] LAMP workshop, would like to meet a few FSF friends.

by krishnakant Mane

hello friends, I am Krishnakant Mane from Mumbai. I am doing knowledge research and working on the SELF Project in TIFR with Dr. Nagarjun. I am also an independent free software consultent and an advocate of free software. I am coming to Bangalore for a LAMP workshop which has now turned more into a free software orientation workshop. I will be doing this at R.V.C.E. campus so I will be interested to meet a few fsf friends. the workshop is on 18th and 19th. so hope to see a few of my freedom fighter friends out there. if any one would like to contact me, plese note down my mobile number. 09820310472. any contribution like soft copy books of free software or on any related topics is more than welcome. regards, Krishnakant.

15 years, 11 months

Fwd: [itf2006] National Policy on ICT in Education: Call for Suggestions/ Recommendations / Position Papers - Last Date October 25

by Frederick Noronha [फ़र ेदरिक नोर ोनया]

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Vignesh <vignesh(a)csdms.in> Date: 15 Oct 2007 16:07 Subject: [itf2006] National Policy on ICT in Education: Call for Suggestions/ Recommendations / Position Papers - Last Date October 25 To: INDIAN TELECENTRE FORUM 2006 <itf2006(a)dgroups.org> Dear Group Members, We take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the national consultative process for developing a National Policy on ICT in Education on behalf of the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), Government of India. The Department of Education, MHRD invites you to submit your recommendations/suggestions/position papers, to assist the Ministry to formulate a National Policy on ICT in Education. Please find the announcement details below. Your support and encouragement is vital to the whole process and we look forward to it. For more information contact: Rachita Jha Research Associate, digital LEARNING Monthly Print Magazine www.digitallearning.in CSDMS,Noida Uttar Pradesh- 201301, India rachita(a)csdms.in Tel: +91 120 2502180 to 87 Fax: + 91 120 2500060 NATIONAL POLICY ON ICT IN EDUCATION CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS / POSITION PAPERS The Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), Government of India is currently developing a National Policy on ICT in Education. Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) and Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS) will provide strategic support in this process. This process consists of drafting policy objectives, guidelines, practices and knowledge tools to support the implementation of the policy across all states and union territories of India. This critical task would be approached by ensuring an active stakeholder participation at all levels of formulation and implementation. A national consultative and collaborative process, to understand the needs, challenges, and issues of the states and union territories, is indispensable for formulating an inclusive and holistic policy. This will ensure that the policy represents the views and aspirations of various stakeholders, acts as a guiding document for the States to adapt it according to their local requirements, and meets the Education Goals of the country. The Department of Education, MHRD invites you to submit your recommendations/ suggestions/ position papers, to assist the Ministry to formulate a National Policy on ICT in Education. Through this call for recommendations/ suggestions/ position papers, we solicit inputs from leaders and visionaries in international agencies, industry, academia, NGOs and government to identify the needs, gaps, challenges, and issues of ICTs in Education sector in India and to contribute to the goal of defining a road map for building a National Policy on ICT in Education. Submission of position papers Position papers/ inputs are solicited on the following aspects of developing the policy framework for ICT in school education. 1. Articulate a progressive vision, objectives, guidelines and promising directions for building the ICT in Education Policy Framework 2. Identify challenges that must be addressed in the forthcoming Policy Document 3. Propose innovative approaches and solutions for building a forward-looking road map/master plan for ICT in Education Format and Deadlines 1. Last date of submission October 25, 2007. 2. Submissions can be made either by mail or in type written formats .Please limit your contributions to no more than 2000 words 3. Provide brief bio and contact details of the contributing members of the suggestions / position paper. 4. You may choose to respond to one, two or all of the topics of the framework of the policy outlined above. 5. Submissions may be made by email to: rachita(a)csdms.in Print submissions may be sent to: Rachita Jha, Research Associate, CSDMS, G-4 Sector 39, NOIDA 201301. Tel: +91-120-2502180-85 Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, ICCO, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank --- You are currently subscribed to itf2006 as: fred(a)bytesforall.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-itf2006-797309U(a)dgroups.org -- Frederick Noronha http://fn.goa-india.org Ph 0091-832-2409490 List of Indian e-lists http://wikiwikiweb.de/MailingListsInIndia

15 years, 11 months

Research papers solicited for ICIST 2007

by CK Raju

Friends, As part of publishing premier research conducted in the area of Free Software and allied fields, <a href="http://mesengg.ac.in/icist2007.htm">ICIST 2007</a> (International Conference on Information Systems and Technology) solicits research papers from scholars. Last date for accepting full paper is 01 Nov 2007. The list of international reviewers for the conference is at http://mesengg.ac.in/icist-b.htm Please spread the word. Regards, CK Raju

15 years, 11 months

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Fsf-friends October 2007