Hi,
Can someone point me to a comprehensive collection of materials used for
training in Free Software in schools in Kerala? Any and all of these
would be appreciated:
- Teachers' training material
- Teachers' training curricula and time frames
- Ditto for the Train the Trainers programme
- School curricula on and using FS
- Accompanying textbooks, training guides, etc.
Anything else that is available apart from this would be great.
Thanks,
-- Raju
--
Raj Mathur raju(a)kandalaya.org http://kandalaya.org/
GPG: 78D4 FC67 367F 40E2 0DD5 0FEF C968 D0EF CC68 D17F
PsyTrance & Chill: http://schizoid.in/ || It is the mind that moves
Hi,
Hyderabad based NGO Devnar Foundation would like to try free software. Can anyone in Hyderabad help this organsation adopt gnu/Linux.
You can contact Eric Ofori (Intern) #040-27536600
Cheers
--arky
Rakesh 'arky' Ambati| IT Consultant| http://www.braillewithoutborders..org | Blog: http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com
Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more. Click here http://cricket.yahoo.com
http://anivar.movingrepublic.org/2009/gnulinuxlaptops-to-kerala-mla
Kerala NiyamaSabha Website published Tender for Purchasing GNU/Linux
Preloaded Laptops to 141 Members of Kerala Legislative assembly
The Tender Demands Ubuntu 9.04 Preloaded & Ubuntu compatible /
Certified Laptops as Requirements
We Must Congratulate TD Kuriachan, Network Administrator, Kerala
Legislative Assembly IT Section (cc'd) for Making it as a Free
Software Preloaded Purchase.
Anivar Aravind
--
"The resources of the world are for us all to share. Let us affirm our
faith in that common cause" - Dr. Ilina Sen
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kadambari Devarajan <kadambari.devarajan(a)gmail.com>
Subject: [X-Post][Commercial] Job Posting for FOSS Project at IITB
Hello,
Project positions are open at the Indian Institute of Technology
Bombay (IITB) for a new government funded project on adoption of
Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) in science and engineering education
in India. For details regarding the project, visit : http://fossee.in/
For details regarding applying, please refer the following
advertisement / job posting :
http://www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/IRCC-Webpage/RecruitmentGenerateAdvertisement.js…
(Refer the section under Aerospace Engineering in the advertisement
link for the project "Assimilation of Open Source Software in Science
and Engineering Education" with code "P(06-1)")
Interested candidates should fill and submit the application forms
provided here: http://www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/IRCC-Webpage/PDF/Application_online.pdf
The last date for receipt of applications is August 31st, 2009.
Interested candidates may send in their filled applications by email
to : recruit(a)ircc.iitb.ac.in explicitly mentioning the job code.It is
mandatory to also send the filled application forms by postal mail to
the address mentioned in the advertisement. The email submission is
simply to accelerate the process of evaluation since we are close to
the deadline.
Regards,
Kadambari Devarajan,
Research Assistant, IITB.
--
Puneeth Chaganti
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <peterb(a)fsf.org>
Date: Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Subject: [FSF] Free Software Foundation launches public awareness
campaign against Microsoft and proprietary software
To: info-press(a)gnu.org, info-member(a)fsf.org, info-fsf(a)gnu.org
Windows 7 Sins: Free Software Foundation launches public awareness
campaign against Microsoft and proprietary software
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 -- The Free
Software Foundation (FSF) today launched its "Windows 7 Sins" campaign
at http://windows7sins.org, making the case against Microsoft and
proprietary software. Preceding the upcoming release of Microsoft
Windows 7, the campaign's first public action will also be today -- a
freedom rally at 12:00pm on the historic Boston Common.
The campaign outlines seven major areas where proprietary software in
general and Microsoft Windows in particular hurt all computer users:
invading privacy, poisoning education, locking users in, abusing
standards, leveraging monopolistic behavior, enforcing Digital
Restrictions Management (DRM), and threatening user security.
These points are outlined in the text of a letter the campaign mailed to
the leaders of the Fortune 500 companies, now published on its Web site.
The letter warns "Windows 7 decision makers" about the "lack of privacy,
freedom, and security" they will suffer should they adopt Windows 7, and
makes the case that they should instead adopt free software such as the
GNU/Linux operating system and the office productivity suite
OpenOffice.org.
FSF executive director Peter Brown said, "Free software is about
freedom, not price. Our growing dependence on computers and software
requires our society to reevaluate its obsession with proprietary
software that spies on citizens' activities and limits their freedom to
be in control of their computing. There is free software available right
now for any activity you or your business needs, and it is better in the
most important aspect -- it respects your freedom."
The FSF is asking concerned citizens to help get this message out by
nominating other organizational leaders who are also "Windows 7 decision
makers" to receive a version of the letter. Brown continued, "Many
people are frustrated by the organizations they interact with and their
support for a software industry that works against the freedom of
citizens. Our national and local governments, NGOs, and our universities
and schools that use proprietary software are undertaking bad public
policy, often through ignorance or misplaced values. We hope to alert
these decision makers to the positive contribution they can make to
society by switching their organizations to free software."
FSF campaigns manager Matt Lee added, "With |windows7sins.org|, we hope
to make businesses and computer users aware of the growing dangers of
proprietary software from both Microsoft and other companies such as
Apple and Adobe. With the release of Microsoft's updated operating
system, business leaders have the opportunity to escape to freedom and
join a growing list of leaders who understand that sinking money and
time into proprietary software is a dead-end inconsistent with their
best interests."
More information about the campaign, including the text of the Fortune
500 letter and a mailing list that will provide subscribers with
information updates and action alerts, is online at
http://windows7sins.org.
About the Free Software Foundation
The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting
computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute
computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as
in freedom) software -- particularly the GNU operating system and its
GNU/Linux variants -- and free documentation for free software. The FSF
also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of
freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites, located at fsf.org
and gnu.org, are an important source of information about GNU/Linux.
Donations to support the FSF's work can be made at
http://donate.fsf.org. Its headquarters are in Boston, MA, USA.
About Free Software and Open Source
The free software movement's goal is freedom for computer users. Some,
especially corporations, advocate a different viewpoint, known as "open
source," which cites only practical goals such as making software
powerful and reliable, focuses on development models, and avoids
discussion of ethics and freedom. These two viewpoints are different at
the deepest level. For more explanation, see
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html.
Media Contacts
Matt Lee
Campaigns Manager
Free Software Foundation
+1 (617) 542 5942 x24
campaigns(a)fsf.org <mailto:campaigns@fsf.org>
Peter Brown
Executive Director
Free Software Foundation
+1 (617) 542 5942
campaigns(a)fsf.org <mailto:campaigns@fsf.org>
info-fsf mailing list
info-fsf(a)gnu.org
Unsubscribe: http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-fsf
--
Nagarjuna G.
http://www.gnowledge.org/
An interesting campaign. Maybe we could think of something similar for
another day, say the Software Freedom Day?
Best
Sasi
-------- Forwarded Message --------
From: Peter Brown <peterb(a)fsf.org>
To: info-member(a)fsf.org, info-fsf(a)gnu.org
Subject: [FSF] Launching the Windows7sins Campaign - Join us Wednesday
in Boston
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:28:42 -0400
Hi everyone,
This Wednesday, August 26 at 11am, the Free Software Foundation will be
launching its Windows7sins.org public awareness campaign, drawing
attention to the threats posed by the adoption of Microsoft's
proprietary operating system. We have a launch event here in Boston on
the Boston Commons from noon until 3pm, and we need everyone in the area
to come along and help out and join in the ceremony as we conduct a
ceremonial trashing of proprietary software.
**We'll be launching our Windows 7 campaign with pomp and fanfare, with
a giant 12 foot trashcan being filled with boxes of proprietary software.**
The event promises to be lots of fun, and with thousands of people
passing through the Boston Commons every day we hope you will help us
connect with the public by handing out information and explaining the
benefits of free software. There will be camera crews and photographers
capturing the event and we will be getting these images up online as
soon as possible on the day.
Let us know you're coming and bring along your friends and work
colleagues - mail campaigns(a)fsf.org if you have time to help us set up,
or just turn up at the Boston Commons near the entrance to the Public
Gardens from noon.
If you're not in the Boston area, there will be plenty for you to do to
help us launch the campaign and get the message out. Stay tuned for
upcoming instructions...
Thanks for your support!
--
V. Sasi Kumar
Free Software Foundation of India
Please visit http://swatantryam.blogspot.com
In this edition we choose to write about an important topic concerning each
citizen of India. Let us start this with a simple question. Why do we
endorse free software? Free software is 'freedom' software. The user has the
full freedom to understand the software (by analyzing the source code), has
complete freedom to upgrade or customize according to his need, and can also
fix the bugs without any dependency. So freedom to understand a piece of
source code is very crucial as far as an individual is concerned.
*We know this, then why are we reiterating this basic question?*
The union budget '09 proposed to provide a Unique Identifier (UID) number
to each citizen in this country. It is argued that this UID number would
help the Government in identifying targeted beneficiaries for various
welfare schemes. Various departments based on their needs, would be using
this number. Going forward, this UID number would avert the need for
multiple proof of identity for citizens like, ration card, electoral card,
pan card, etc.(Apart from availing Government services, it would be used for
private needs also, such as opening bank accounts or seeking telephone
connections). Hence no doubt, the role of this number is very crucial.
Taking all these arguments into consideration, the implementation of this
project has to take place with utmost care as it carries a very important
projected role as far as society's progress, justice and welfare is
concerned. Another important aspect is security. The UID database hold very
crucial information and is very much important as far as National Security
is concerned. Virtually this UID Database holds the key for all kinds
ofinformation. Considering the global and national scenarios, this project
is of prime importance. The project is very huge. Initial budget estimation
is of Rs 120 crores. And for sure it would be revised multiple times before
implementation (and can end up 3 to 5 times above budget estimation
considering our practical experiences from the industry.) Any one can
oversee the complexity of the work which includes construction of a new
online database with identity and biometric details of each citizen of
India. We feel this includes development of sophisticated applications which
may include many tiers, huge databases, different types of reports, packages
etc. It may also include interaction with different existing systems, and
migration of data from those system.
*So, what has happened? *
Well, some disturbing news is heard.
“*Microsoft is keen to partner in this project.” *We have serious
reservations on the involvement of Microsoft in this crucial project.
Freedom is each individual's fundamental right. He cannot allow infiltration
to his privacy or dictating terms to him. What about a society? A society
can be termed as progressive only when each individual's right and freedom
is protected. This is exactly the State's role. It should ensure the freedom
and well being of each of its citizens. Microsoft is notorious on denial of
the freedom (in digital world). Restricting access to source code and not
allowing modifications from users is denial of his fundamental right -
freedom to know – which is the corner stone of any society's progress.
Denial of freedom to know (for a user and in this context the user is Indian
government) gives freedom for Proprietary Software companies to infiltrate
his(user's) privacy. The sheer number of anti- rust suits against Microsoft
and other Proprietary Software makers is a testimony to the monopolistic
tendencies of corporates and their utter disregard to the laws of the land,
in pursuit of making money by hook or crook. In one of those cases,
Microsoft argued that it cannot continue revealing further information to
the judge, as the information is closely related to US national security. In
short Microsoft is bound by the US Laws and is having strong strategic
alliance with US Government, obviously this is in conflict with our national
interest as USA can use this alliance for achieving any objectives they
wanted (they have also announced Cyber warfare NSPD 16 for crippling any
networks across the world, which makes the whole scenario more complicated).
All these facts suggests an impending danger is looming on the sovereignty
of India if we allow Microsoft in implementing this project. Just imagine
how terrible it will be if the presence of malicious code or bugs in
Microsoft's proprietary closed source crashes or corrupts the database,
where future ofmillions depends. The source code of a project which is
having tremendous importance to India, should be owned solely by the Govt.
of India and not by Microsoft or any other corporates. A software can be
termed as secure only if the freedom to examine or modify the code lies with
its user, in this case Govt. of India. As per IT Act 2000, public systems
cannot have malicious code inside. IT Act further says, public systems
should not cause leakage of sensitive information relating to "privileges of
parliament, trade, or other sensitive information". This can only be ensured
if public systems are only on Free Software. Besides this, what if Microsoft
resorts to steal the most vital and crucial information (as Satyam computers
did to World-bank) and thereby destabilizing the country as part of USA's
global imperial agenda? It is unimaginable. Another classic example is the
case of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA, which demonstrated how
Proprietary Software is a threat to the sovereignty of a country. (
http://news.northxsouth.com/2008/11/18/protecting-sovereignty-with-free-sof…
idea-and-the-duty-of-governmentssays- stallman/). Apart from the security
concerns shared above, we identify Microsoft's attempt as a crooked one!
Microsoft sees the huge benefits it could accomplish by involving in this
project. Huge budget involvement, support work (in software industry,
majority of revenue is churned from the support work, and one can not deny
the possibility of introducing bugs in the software for getting the support
work!), upgradation work, backward entry to National E-commerce project
implementations, increased market penetration and forcing of the
implementation of IPR and copy right laws by close association with the
policy makers etc are few of the advantages they could easily get! Adding to
above, storage, distribution and display formats of this crucial data is
very important. Openness andInteroperability are two vital and basic
requirements for any standard. It is often correctly noted that the closed
standards would drive one in to the folds of proprietaryrealm and thereby
much serious patent complications. We must ensure that vital data of this
stature is stored in formats that are open and free of all constraints like
royalties, patent claims etc and there by should not allow to be controlled
by anyone. Incidentally,this is also time where India's Draft Policy on Open
Standards close to finalization, and in a surprise move, Nasscom – a
representing body of the industry and MAIT recommended inclusion of
standards under RAND terms and the usage of multiple standards in the same
domain. Both of these recommendations have serious implications as far as
India's interest is concerned. Issues of interoperability (between different
standards), complications (on adhering to multiple standards) and high cost
(of proprietary standards and bringing one in to the fold of patent issues)
are few of the major issues. We suspect Microsoft's role and motivation on
Nasscom and MAIT's recommendation. Another disturbing fact is Nandan
Nilakeni whom our union ministry entrusted to implement this crucial
project. This project can be handled easily by any senior administrative
officer who is having prior experience of implementing complexecommerce
applications. He could be biased as his previous company shares, business
interest with Microsoft and also they voted for OOXML, much against national
interest. Considering his links and role he played in Infosys, the
possibility of Infosys being promoted cannot be overruled (and obviously
going with the proprietary realm). All indications are that Microsoft is
directing heavy lobbying in India for accomplishing its vested interests.
Different studies have shown the superiority of Free Software when compared
with Proprietary Software. Robert Francis Group (IBM-sponsored research)
found securitylevels in GNU/Linux generally exceeded those in Windows,
providing a more secure and manageable environment out of the box with
significantly more functionality in terms of security integration and
management. The Linux kernel programming code is better and more secure than
the programming code of most Proprietary Software - based on a four-year
analysis of the 5.7 million lines of Linux kernal source code conducted by
five Stanford University researchers. So we should use only Free Software
for the implementation of this crucial project. It is the only way for
developing a superior implementation, in a very economical way which is
important for a country like India where majority of population is in
poverty and destitution. We are afraid that this project may lead to giving
pathway for the Proprietary Software companies and their products to the
ecommerce projects, which is against National interest in different ways –
Huge economic loss for the national exchequer, inferior quality products,
with future liabilities and the most important one - invoking gross
vulnerability to National Security and stability. This needed to be
countered at any cost. State should have control on the software products it
purchases or develops. We cannot allow these proprietary s/w companies to
loot public money for inferior quality products and allowing them to
infiltrate in to the freedom of our fellow citizens. We appeal our readers
to raise your voice against the infiltration attempts of Microsoft(and other
companies who endorse proprietary realm in software industry) and to endorse
Free Software for keeping nation's interest forefront.
“*The most unfortunate thing is that India still*
*seems to believe in proprietary solutions”*
Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of
India, May 28, 2003
For Other Articles in the new letter. Click on the link
http://fsmk.org/node/41
--
regards
naveen
Be Free, Speak Free, Work Free.
Advocate "FREE SOFTWARE",
FREE as in FREE SPEECH, not as in FREE BEER
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rameez Thonnakkal <ssrameez(a)gmail.com>
Date: 2009/8/19
Subject: [Fsmk-discuss] FSMK Newsletter Volume3
To:
Dear Friend,
FSMK Newsletter Volume3 <http://fsmk.org/node/41>
We are proud to say this because of the responses and encouragement you gave us.
This time also there are enough and more reasons to read the complete
news letter in single attempt.
We are raising some serious issues in the Indian context through the Editorial.
Dr. Sabyasachi Chatterjee is talking about patent issues.
Ranjan an FSMK activist is talking about the free-software Philosophy.
Mayank, Rahul and Praveen have come up with some Technical articles.
Many items on News section from the free-software world.
Still we are expecting the critical comments from you to make this
venture a success.
Regards,
FSMK EB Team.
_______________________________________________
fsmk-discuss mailing list
fsmk-discuss(a)lists.fsmk.in
http://lists.fsmk.in/listinfo.cgi/fsmk-discuss-fsmk.in
--
Vikram Vincent
+919448810822
http://swatantra.org/http://fsmk.org/
Alert! let us send a strong letter to the ministers, education dept.
as soon as possible. Check out several stories that appeared in all
news papers.
I have read on page3 in DNA.
http://ur1.ca/9n8q
--
Nagarjuna G.