Fsf-friends August 2007

fsf-friends@gnu.org.in

33 participants
42 discussions

by Vikram Vincent

Hello all, Those of you on the FOSS.IN mailing list will know about the discussions that took place recently with regard to promoting FOSS in schools. We know that moving schools to free software is that fundamental task which will strengthen the free software movement and the movement in Kerala is a good example. In order for us to learn from such examples a documentation page has been created at http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/FOSS_in_Schools Please feel free to fill up the pages and hope that we can all coordinate in our own way in building the free software movement at schools. -- Regards Vikram Vincent +919448810822 Project Engineer, NRCFOSS, AU-KBC Research Centre

16 years, 1 month

ODF: Oracle, Google join IBM-Sun camp

by Santhosh Thottingal

"The war over control of your office documents is getting murkier. The IBM-Sun Microsystems backed Open Document Format (ODF) alliance is now raising questions on the choice of the members of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) technical committee that will decide on the issue." http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Oracle_Google_join_IBM-Sun_cam… -Santhosh Thottingal http://santhoshtr.livejournal.com

16 years, 1 month

DMA Drivers for free

by Mani A

These drivers were not free till very recently. But even though the source is available now, nothing about reuse and modification have been explicitly stated in the license. Otherwise it does ease the situation for FreeDOS... but not sufficiently enough. ---------------------------------------------------------- XMGR, UDMA and UDVD are DOS drivers for an 80386+ system running MS-DOS V5.0+, EDR-DOS, and all similar DOS variants. XMGR is a DOS XMS memory manager. It can support V3.70+ UMBPCI by Uwe Sieber and is able to load directly in UMBPCI upper-memory. XMGR also runs with MS-DOS V4.49/V4.95 EMM386 or other equivalent "EMS managers". It is written to V3.0 XMS Specifications and can handle 4-GB of memory. UDMA is a disk caching driver with internal support for UltraDMA disks. It intercepts and caches all DOS Int 13h I-O requests for BIOS devices. UDMA does caching for the UDVD driver and also supports other "external driver" cache requests. It uses HMA "free space" and can be loaded in only 1456 bytes of upper memory for up to a 250-Megabyte cache! UDMA sets its cache in XMS memory and caches from 5 to 750 Megabytes of data for diskettes, hard-disks and CD/DVD drives! UDVD is a driver for up to 3 IDE CD/DVD drives which may be UltraDMA or old "PIO mode" models. It accepts file-input requests by SHCDX33C and other CD "Redirectors", and it also handles DOS "audio" functions. If "raw" CD/DVD input (audio, track-writers) is unneeded, UDVD caches data files by calling the UDMA driver, which greatly improves CD/DVD speed! "Free use" source files are offered with the XMGR, UDMA and UDVD binary files. See their README file for full details about these drivers. http://johnson.tmfc.net/dos/drivers.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Read-me says : "XMGR, UDMA, and UDVD are offered as "free software", as-is, and "use at your own risk", and with NO warranties, not even the implied warranties of MERCHANTABILITY nor of FITNESS for ANY particular purpose! Driver questions or comments may be addressed to the website of Johnson Lam, <johnson(a)tmfc.net>." ---------------------------------------------------------- Best A. Mani -- A. Mani Member, Cal. Math. Soc

16 years, 1 month

Some links you might find useful (FLOSS in education)

by Frederick Noronha [फ़र ेदरिक नोर ोनया]

Some links you might find useful (FLOSS in education): * FOSS Education (Wikibooks) http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Education * Comics... to teach FLOSS? http://www.linux-magazine.com/issue/82/Hai_Ti_Comics_SchoolNet_Namibia.pdf * Skolelinux 3.0 Terra available for free http://www.skolelinux.no * Roadmap for next merging of LinEx and Debian-Edu: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEdu/LinEx2DebianEdu-Roadmap * Tech to the aid of autistic children: Recent research has shown that computer/digital technologies can help children with autism (and other disabilities) learn and communicate better. A computer training workshop for parents and children was held recently at Bangalore. Shuchi Grover reports. Mehta and colleagues shared various software and hardware by which children could communicate with the computer through non-traditional means. Also shared were several other software tools such as a 3-D and role-play software developed by C-DAC, simple visual programming environments such as Scratch (recently released by MIT Media Lab), simple image and audio manipulation using everyday Windows software, and Edubuntu â?? a free and open source Linux-based operating system designed specially for children that comes packaged with several child-friendly games and educational software. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/16049 * TELECENTRES IN THE MADRASA: The school based telecenter project of RI SOL has launched internet-enabled telecenters in two Bangladeshi madrasas (Islamic religious schools), in Khulna and Dhaka. See Khulna Alia Madrasa Advocates for an Inclusive Information Society on World Information Society Day Link to the news story and photos of the celebration: http://www.connect-bangladesh.org/content/view/418/101/ Source: Nazrul Islam <nazrul07(a)gmail.com> * Richard D'Souza is based at St Paul's in Belgaum, with the mandate to extend the school's computer centre there. This educator is very pro-GNU/Linux.... http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/15830 * Create a comprehesive set of education tools customised for Indian environment. This include localization, improving features, adding new features, developing new tools... The project is co ordinated by FOSS Community India (http://fci.wikia.com) http://sarovar.org/projects/foss-edu-in/ * Reclaiming ICT education: why free software is a necessity in schools? Tim Cowlishaw talks about education and free software?and why IT education shouldn't be a how-to for using the Microsoft suite. Read more... http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/blogs/reclaiming_ICT_education_why_free… * "K12OS.org is all about open source news in education. You'll find news, links, resources and discussion here to help promote the use of open source software in schools." http://k12os.org/ * Speaker Name, K. K. Subramaniam. Company. Type, Talk. Scope, General. Slides, Click to download. FOSS tools in primary schools. This talk is aimed at FOSS enthusiasts promoting its adoption in their local community, particularly in primary education. It presents the experience of deploying a FOSS desktop in a small public primary school in Bangalore. It presents the initial approach for FOSS deployment, the steps which worked and those that didnt in getting the teachers in the school to use FOSS desktop and tools like KDE, Kile and LaTeX to enhance the quality of teaching and integrate a PC into daily sessions in the school. In India, most deployments of computers in primary schools use canned 'games' software on PCs to teach students or expect teachers to use office automation software. For already overburdened primary class teachers, PCs became just another distraction. In a grassroots experiment, a FOSS desktop was offered to a small public school in Bangalore to use it for any task of their choice. The teachers had no prior experience with computers or software and their medium of instruction was Kannada. Two teachers in the school chose to automate preparation of term question papers in Kannada and English as this was a recurring and time-consuming manual process. The desktop was provisioned with KDE, Kile and LaTeX (with Kannada types and styles) but not localized in Kannada. Starting from scratch, the teachers took over 100 hours to learn to use the tools and complete the first set of publication-ready term papers for classes I through IV. The second cycle took them less than 20 hours and they continue to improve on their time. The FOSS desktop has empowered the teachers to generate their own content quickly and easily without compromising quality. The system has worked without a single crash/breakdown over eighteen months of use by curious young children. https://foss.in/2006/cfp/speakers/talkdetailspub.php?talkid=183 * The Family Guide to Digital Freedom will explain, in one place and in normal language, what everybody should know about software and other digital technologies, and above all the real reasons why they should care: in this modern world, our rights and quality of life heavily depend from how software is being used around us. The website associated to the book, http://digifreedom.net, is now open to visitors: besides sample chapters of the book it will also host related news, links to existing resources for new users of Free Software and a database of Digitally Free Schools. For further information, please read http://digifreedom.net/node/73 * ClassroomCoders: Building Analytical Capacity through Peer-Taught: The goal of this project is to create a comprehensive curriculum for learners aged 8 to 18, which develops their analytical skills through the use of software and software engineering tools. http://wiki.tsf.org.za/shuttleworthfoundationwiki/ClassroomCoders * Linux Spreads its Wings in India: Windows is still No. 1, but open-source software is moving into schools and government offices. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/14196 http://www.businessweek.com/print/globalbiz/content/sep2006/gb20060921_4634… * GOA: BASIL FERNANDES had a long and interesting discussion on teaching young kids programming, the possibility of encouraging schools to do the same, and whether schools could have Computer Clubs that work on a build-them-young approach. He is keen to get involved with such a programme. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/14172 * Kerala logs Microsoft out of schools http://in.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/02microsoft.htm * India State to Dump Windows for Linux http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/14060 * Riza's desktop... it's not just about eye-candy http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/14067 * OpenKiosk is an open-source multi-platform kiosk system. OpenKiosk is ideally suited for use in locations where a controlled computing environment is paramount such as public access systems, libraries, school computer laboratories. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/13846 * Content Creation competition for school and college teachers: OSSRC is organising a competition for school/college teachers in creating content. Details of the event can be found at http://www.ossrc.org.in/c3t.html * When Free Software ideas spreads to education... see the first link http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/13234 * Site@School is a Content Management System (CMS) to manage and maintain the website of a primary school. It is Open Source Software, licensed under the General Public license. Site@school main features are: * Manage a website without technical knowledge. * Editors with a high "Word processor look and feel" rate. * Pupils/teachers can have personal pages on the website. Teachers can check pupil pages before publication. * An intranet for teachers (not accessible by the public). * E-mail alerts can be sent to admins when pages are updated/created. * Comprehensive manual with over 300 screenshots. * Extensive number of available modules, see Available Modules * Possible to create your own template see downloadable example(s). http://siteatschool.sourceforge.net/ * Linux in Education: Two Years Later by Peter D. St. Onge http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/12949 * Education... lessons from South Africa http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/message/12821 * Gnu and tux go to primary school.... http://www.ofset.org/freeduc-ecole -- Frederick Noronha Journalist http://fn.goa-india.org E: fred(a)bytesforall.org or fredericknoronha(a)gmail.com P: +91-832-2409490 M: +91-9970157402 Yahoo: fredericknoronha Skype: fredericknoronha GTalk: fredericknoronha 784, Sonarbhat, Near Lourdes Convent, Saligao 403511 Goa India

16 years, 1 month

Tmes of India article on Free Software Movement

by alpesh gajbe

Hello all, I am forwarding a link of an article in today's i.e. 11st August 2007 Times of India on Free Software Movement. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA3LzA4LzExI0… Regards. Alpesh.

16 years, 1 month

Universal sells songs without DRM

by Vikram Vincent

Wondering about the outcome of this experiment. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6939807.stm -- Regards Vikram Vincent +919448810822 Project Engineer, NRCFOSS, AU-KBC Research Centre

16 years, 1 month

Microsoft submitted license fro OSI approval

by Praveen A

Director of Source Program at Microsoft Corporation Jon Rosenberg submitted its Shared Source License called "Microsoft Community License" to Open Source Initiative for considering it as an OSI approved Open Source License. He wrote in his mail to the license-discuss mailing list of OSI: "Microsoft is pleased to submit the Microsoft Community License to the OSI for consideration as an OSI approved license. Microsoft believes that this license provides unique value to the open source community by delivering simplicity, brevity, and clearly delineated reciprocal terms." It will be interesting to see how it turns out. A good move from Microsoft after it recently locked horns with the Free and Open Source Community about patents after its deal with Novell. http://www.crynwr.com/cgi-bin/ezmlm-cgi?3:mss:13324:200708:cokmgmoknbgepfbo… Cheers Praveen -- പ്രവീണ് അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില് Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

16 years, 1 month

Propaganda by Tele2

by Mani A

You might have seen this story : ...600000 Norwegians.. http://www.physorg.com/news105962152.html Tele2 operates in 22 European countries. It provides broadband services and lot more. And maintains utterly insecure websites (or uses the dreaded OS for safety critical applications). These M$windows users cannot distinguish between hackers and crackers... ..."It said they had used a weakness on the website of the telephone operators Tele2 to procure the national personal identity numbers and addresses of subscribers, amounting to 1.3 percent of the country's population. The information would enable the hackers to change the addresses of the people concerned so as to intercept their mail, or order goods on their account. "... Best A. Mani -- A. Mani Member, Cal. Math. Soc

16 years, 1 month

[On topic]On Attack on Taslima Nasreen

by Vikram Vincent

On Attack on Taslima Nasreen August 10, 2007 We strongly condemn the physical attack on Taslima Nasreen, a Bangladeshi writer. This attack goes against the democratic and secular character of the Indian polity. One may have differences over the writings of Taslima Nasreen or anybody else, but this definitely is not the appropriate manner to express dissent. This very act militates against the freedom of expression. We demand that the Andhra Pradesh government take firm action against the culprits responsible for this attack.

16 years, 1 month

Online Petition Asking Apple to Support ODF

by Anivar Aravind

The ISO 26300 is the international standard XML format for office documents, also known as the Open Document Format or ODF. The newly released iWork '08 supports the Open Office XML (OOXML) document format, which is still not an ISO-approved standard. It would be beneficial to all if the iWork suite of applications, namely Pages, Keynote and Numbers, support Open Document Format. We appeal that you release an update to the latest version of iWork suite to support ISO 26300. In addition, we hope that you support the ISO 26300 standard in future Apple products that involves office documents. http://www.petitiononline.com/appleodf/petition.html BTW, what is the status of Campaign against OOXML at BIS? any updates? -- Anivar Aravind moving Republic Peringavu.P.O Thrissur-18 Kerala http://anivar.movingrepublic.org/about

16 years, 1 month

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Fsf-friends August 2007