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SITEWATCH: ILUG-Margao... promoting GNU/Linux in South Goa
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 10 Apr '03

10 Apr '03

URL : http://www.ilug-margao.org/html [1]Welcome to India GNU/Linux Users Group--GOA-Margao [2]signup | login ______________ search Topics [All Topics......] [3]Home [4]Photo Gallery [5]Contributions [6]Register! [7]CD Library [8]Feedback Menu � [9]Home � [10]Contributions � [11]Meetings � [12]Members List � [13]Private_Messages � [14]Projects � [15]Surveys � [16]Tutorials � [17]Web Links � [18]Your Account Chat Chat room for the GNU/Linux enthusiasts Nick Name: ____________________ Enter Chat Who's Online Members options: [19]Login [20]Logout [21]Lost password? _________________________________________________________________ [registered2.gif] Registered members [space.gif] Today 1 Yesterda y 0 Overall 66 Latest biker _________________________________________________________________ Become a member? You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking [22]here LinuxWeelyNews �[23]Open Source study by the Swedish Agency for Public Management �[24]PS/PDF file handling vulnerability �[25]LWN.net Weekly Edition for April 10, 2003 �[26]ACLU loses digital copyright battle (News.com) �[27]Open-source battle rages in Oregon (News.com) �[28]This week's Tcl-URL �[29]MySQL 4.1.0 released �[30]Security alert roundup �[31]This week's Python-URL �[32]A Linux open source best practices guide: Applications (ZDNet) [33]read more... About Us Welcome! The Margao GNU/Linux User Group [MGLUG] is a non-profit organization. Margao GLUG's primary aim is to bring together GNU/Linux Users, enthusiasts and professionals so as to discuss and share various issues/ideas pertaining to GNU/Linux. We are a focused group of enthusiasts who want to promote the idea of GNU/Linux and encourage the use of [34]Free Software. Most of the MGLUG members are actively involved in the [35]Goa Schools Computer Project [GSCP]. Newbies who are planning to migrate to GNU/Linux need not worry as we will gladly provide you with a framework and try our best to answer all your queries. For more info, go through the meetings section. Enjoy your stay! Please read the [36]disclaimer before continuing. CD Library! [37]announcements The much awaited CD library is now in place. [38]Click here for a listing of the current GNU/Linux software available for sharing. For those of you ordering personal copies, we will try and process the order within 48hrs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by [39]Andrew Suares on Wednesday, February 19 @ 04:27:03 EST Minutes of the meeting held on Saturday 15th '03 [41]meetings_minutes by Frederick Noronha THIS REPORT has to be very brief, because I was myself late for the meeting in Margao last Saturday. Sanil T. was busy doing a demo and talking about Elx Linux (the distro from Hyderabad) when one intruded. Amey Hegde, one of the newest members to find this sometimes-infighting-prone and sometimes-very-helpful network of GNU/Linux enthusiasts. Apparently he works @ Controlnet, not far from ArvindC, but was not aware of this group till recently. How do we build more awareness about those who would like to be our members but just don't know what we do? note: Click on Readmore to read the whole story ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by [42]Andrew Suares on Wednesday, February 19 @ 03:38:10 EST (8 reads) GNU/Linux Frequently Asked Questions [45]gnu_related by Richard Stallman When people see that we use and recommend the name GNU/Linux for a system that many others call just "Linux", they ask many questions. Here are common questions, and our answers. * Why do you call it GNU/Linux and not Linux? * Why is this issue important? * How did it come about that most people call the system "Linux"? * What is the difference between an operating ystem and a kernel? * The problem with "GNU/Linux" is that it is too long. How about recommending a shorter name? * Should the GNU/[name] convention be applied to all programs that are GPL'ed? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by [46]Andrew Suares on Friday, December 27 @ 06:48:54 EST (13 reads) ([47]Read More... | 37174 bytes more | [48]Read More... | Score: 0) Tutorials Has just been uploaded [49]announcements Tutorials which will help Newbies shift to Linux.....Dual Boot with Windows, Some Myths about linux..... Bash scripting and much much more...Just click on Tutorials ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by [50]arvind clemente on Monday, December 02 @ 05:01:06 EST (10 reads) Contribution by our GLUG Members added [52]announcements You can now have tremendous help in configuring / compiling different packages under GNU/LINUX. You dont have to expirement.... just follow the already documented ccontributions..... Its just a click away...For details Just Click Contributions in our Main Home Page ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by [53]arvind clemente on Friday, November 22 @ 00:10:03 EST (16 reads) Private Messaging [56]announcements Due to popular demand, the private messaging feature has been added! To use it, you have to be registered. After logging in, click on the members list, select the member name and click 'Send Private Message' You will be automatically notified of incoming PM's. To login automatically during subsequent visits, enable the cookies option for this site. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Posted by [57]andrew suares on Wednesday, November 20 @ 11:36:41 EST (6 reads) ILUG-Margao is back! [60]announcements ILUG-Margao is back! We have shifted over to a web portal system. It was getting a bit difficult to manage and add new content. After some unexpected issues with PHP-Nuke and a lot of customising, the site is up and running. Everything seems to be running fine. However, if you come across any any bugs/404 errors, please inform us. Key Highlights:- Added Contributions, Projects & Tutorials sections No more cross browser compatibility issues! Pages are displayed using w3c standards. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by [61]Andrew Suares on Monday, November 18 @ 07:35:15 EST (24 reads) Survey Which is your favourite distro? (_) RedHat (_) Mandrake (_) Debian (_) SUSE (_) Gentoo (_) Others Don't have an account yet? You can [98]create one. As registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name. [sidebox-bottom.gif] Website maintained and updated by: Arvind Clemente & Andrew Suares

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a post which ......
by Kanti Jadia 10 Apr '03

10 Apr '03

This was posted by http://slashdot.org/~fliplap. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The problem is, everyone on slashdot would rather just complain on slashdot instead of actually writing thier representative a well worded letter. I was actually thinking about this the other day. What about a slashdot sponsered letter writing compaign that gave people a tangible reward for writing a good letter to thier congress(wo)man. They could have everyone write an email about what really matter to them, any topic, preferably a technological one as thats what scores points around here. Then have them mail them to thier representative and CC a copy to contest(a)slashdot.org as well as post it as a comment. Say, 10 highest rated letters win a free subscription (however many page views that is). The cost would be negligable, but the impact of tons of well worded emails coming from intellegent people would have an amazing impact. So, editors, what do YOU think? --btw, the letters should be worded better than this post. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Further to add my two cents Answers sought How to act in a democracy? Whom to put your views so that they are heard? Get organized in an informal or formal way to protest? regards Kanti ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html ----------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ Odomos - the only mosquito protection outside 4 walls - Click here to know more! http://r.rediff.com/r?http://clients.rediff.com/odomos/Odomos.htm&&odomos&&…

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Arun Shourie, on FLOSS v.s proprietory
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 08 Apr '03

08 Apr '03

---------- Forwarded message ---------- URL : http://www.linuxworld.com/2003/0401.indiaopensource.html India IT minister: No government edict on open source IT official says Indian government will not back open source to the exclusion of proprietary software April 1, 2003 Summary The government is a key buyer of information technology in India, and backers of open-source software were hoping that the Indian government would throw its weight behind open source. By John Ribiero, IDG News Service BANGALORE (IDG News Service) -- The Indian government will not back open-source software to the exclusion of proprietary software, according to Arun Shourie, India's minister for information technology and communications. The government is a key buyer of information technology in the country, and backers of open-source software were hoping that the Indian government would throw its weight behind open source. "In India we always like to think in terms of either-or. The formula we want to adopt instead is 'and also,' and encourage all kinds of software development in the country," Shourie told reporters shortly after the formal launch in Bangalore on Tuesday of the PARAM Padma supercomputer, designed by the government-run Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune [see "[30]India agency offers build-to-order supercomputer" Dec. 17, 2002]. "If there is an important security software that we need urgently, for example, we are more likely to buy it, than spend time deciding whether we should develop it in India in open source," Shourie added. Earlier in his address to the staff of C-DAC, Shourie said that in cases involving national security, it was wiser for government research agencies and laboratories to develop software in-house. However, Shourie clarified later that the decision to import software, or develop the software entirely in-house in open source or on any other platform, would be taken at the level of the specific government agency on a case-by-case basis. "Do not expect a general decision from government on this," Shourie added. Shourie's statement is the first categorical statement by a senior Indian government official in the debate about whether to adopt open-source or proprietary software. The controversy was sparked in November last year during a visit to India by Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates. During his visit to Delhi, Gates announced that his company planned to invest US$400 million in India over the next three years in a number of areas, including computer literacy and localization of its software products. Gates's announcement was seen by analysts as an attempt to pre-empt the Indian government from making a formal decision to adopt open-source software. Gates announced that in addition to contributing software to schools, Microsoft will also assist in training about 80,000 school teachers and 3.5 million students in government-run schools in India. "This 'gift' is no act of generosity," said Richard Stallman, president of the Boston-based Free Software Foundation. Stallman was also in India in November to drum up support for free software, but found that media and government attention had shifted to Gates's high-profile visit. "Giving Microsoft software to school children is like giving them cigarettes -- it is a way to get them hooked, so that once they grow up, they will be a captive market for Microsoft." Microsoft has tried to win over the Indian government to its Government Source Licensing Program (GSLP), but there have been no takers yet in the government, according to informed sources. The GSLP was designed to give government agencies access to Windows source code to develop applications for their own internal use. Last month, Scott McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems Inc. in Santa Clara, California, also made a pitch to woo Indian universities and researchers by announcing $300 million in free software and training to promote key Sun technologies in India, such as Java and Sun ONE (Open Net Environment). Though the Indian government will not take sides, some government agencies and laboratories are already using open-source software. The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) in Delhi is assessing the feasibility of using Linux for e-governance projects in India, according to Kiran Karnik, the association's president. "Linux can play an important role in spreading e-governance in India since there would be a need to develop low-cost local language applications," said Karnik. "It can also help in accelerating IT education in schools which today cannot afford high software costs." However, before Linux can be widely deployed, the services and support infrastructure around this platform will have to be developed in the country, according to Karnik. John Ribiero is a Bangalore correspondent for the IDG News Service, a LinuxWorld.com affiliate.

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GNU/Linux or Linux
by Kanti Jadia 08 Apr '03

08 Apr '03

GNU/Linux GNU/Hurd GNU/unknown ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html ----------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ Odomos - the only mosquito protection outside 4 walls - Click here to know more! http://r.rediff.com/r?http://clients.rediff.com/odomos/Odomos.htm&&odomos&&…

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NEWS: Indlinux.org announced launch of Hindi interface for computers
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 08 Apr '03

08 Apr '03

------------------------------------------------------------------ INDLINUX.ORG ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF HINDI INTERFACE FOR COMPUTERS IndLinux.org's Milan software enables Hindi users to use computers in their own language, a major leap forward in bringing the benefits of information technology to Indian masses COMPLETE STORY: http://linuxpr.com/releases/5732.html ------------------------------------------------------------------

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Microsoft is not a US monopoly - IT Minister Kerala.
by Arun M 07 Apr '03

07 Apr '03

Kerala IT Minister said Malappuram district that Boycotts should not hurt the `IT development' of the state. Sorry no more info. arun.

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GPL and 'intellectual property'
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 07 Apr '03

07 Apr '03

AFAIK, the GPL is not aimed at protecting so-called 'intellectual property'. What it *does* try to do is to make software accessible to whoever needs it, regardless of how rich or poor they may be. If our model is to build up ourselves into a Bill Gates, then this is perhaps problematic. But if our concern is to make software accessible to the vast majority of a country like, say, India, this is indeed something very innovative. It is also a powerful tool to ensure that knowledge remains -- as it has long been, for most part -- in the public domain. The GPL also recognises that much of what we call knowledge is based on prior-knowledge of others. If we block the cycle of innovation by concepts like 'intellectual property', the entire humanity will be poorer off. Incidentally, my friend in Finland, Niranjan Rajani, has done a study which indicates that terms which we take so much for granted today (like 'intellectual property') was first used just in 1968, with the formation of the 'World Intellectual Property Organisation' or WIPO. Apart from a few individuals, do the bulk of the people of this planet have anything to gain from such concepts? This is just my view and understanding. Copying it to others from FSF-India, who could also give their perspective on the issue. FN > ________________________________________________________________________ > ________________________________________________________________________ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 05:51:18 +0200 > From: Satuluri Venkata Rahul <srahul(a)vanenburg.com> > Subject: Doubts on the GNU Public Licensing > > Hi, > > I have a question about the GNU PL. How does the GNU PL protect > intellectual property rights? > > I am aware that the question is open ended. It potentially invites > numerous discussions on aspects like patenting, documentation et al. Please > help me (and possibly more newbie colleagues of this grp) develop a > comprehensive view about the issues involved. > > Regards > Venkata Rahul -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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LINK Parliamentary question...
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 06 Apr '03

06 Apr '03

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA * Minitry of Communications and Information Technology (Department of Information Technology) Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No 2330 To be answered on 13-0302993 Setting up of research institutions 2330 Shri Eduardo Faleiro Will the Minister of Communications & Informatin Technology be pleased to state: (a) whether Government have any plans to set up research institutions to further skills in free/open source software; (b) Government funded institutions already utilising free/open source software in a significant manner; and (c) whether the STate government would be, in any way, encouraged to go in for FS/OSS solutions specially while spreading Information Technology at the educational level? ANSWER (a), (b) and (c): Department of Information is conceiving of "Linux India Initiative" which will be targeted to take a set of steps including further of skills in free software/open source software. Other steps that will be included as part of same would, inter alia, include setting up of resource centres. Various Government funded institutions such as R&D labs, academia, Government departments, as also those in industry, are already utilizing free software/open source software in a significant manner. Examples of Government-funded institutions utilizing free software/open source software are BARC and IIT, Mumbai. The "Linux India Initiative" mentioned above would also include encouragement of FS/OSS solutions at the educational level. Already, lot of educational institutions, especially engineering institutions use FS/open source software extensively. Linux India initiative is also intended to address this aspect. -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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Simputer FAQ (thanks to Edward Cherlin)
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 05 Apr '03

05 Apr '03

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Message: 3 Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2003 12:54:15 -0800 From: Edward Cherlin <cherlin(a)pacbell.net> Subject: Simputer FAQ This is a draft FAQ for the Simputer, meant for anybody to e-mail to their friends who inquire what the Simputer is, and for new members of this list. Further questions and answers welcome. Simputer FAQ 1. What is the Simputer? 2. What features make Simputers suited to use by poor people? 3. What are Simputers for? 4. Where can I get a Simputer? 5. What software runs on Simputers? 6. Where can I find out more about the Simputer? 1. What is the Simputer? Although the Simputer (Simple, Inexpensive, Multilingual Computer) looks a lot like a PDA, it was designed primarily for use by poor people to provide access to health, education, information, and other services. As a Linux handheld with unequalled connectivity at an unheard-of low price, the Simputer turns out to be a platform well-suited to Free Software, commercial applications, and embedded systems of many kinds. The basic model starts at US$206.00. The Simputer has the following connections built in. Infrared (IrDA) SmartCard reader/writer USB master USB slave Sound I/O 56K modem Serial port Compact Flash connector External power Simputers can be connected to anything supported by infrared, USB, or Compact Flash interfaces, a serial port, or a modem. This includes wired and wireless LANs, the Internet, data acquisition systems, GPS, Flash storage devices, hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD drives, mouse, keyboard, external monitor, wired and IrDA printers, and most other computer peripherals and communications systems. 2. What features make Simputers suited to use by poor people? The Simputer is designed with multilingual capability, including Text-to-Speech conversion for several languages of India. Voice recognition will be added later, and voice capabilities will be expanded to other languages. A very large pool of no-cost software can be put on the Simputer. Simputers can be shared using inexpensive SmartCards for private storage. This reduces the cost per person greatly. Simputers use 2 AA batteries for power, or an external transformer. Lithium ion AA batteries can be recharged using solar or human power in areas where there is no electric supply. 3. What is the Simputer for? Applications of the Simputer are in development in many areas. Applications directed especially at the needs of the poor include health, education, government services, microbanking, access to information, and general communication. Other applications include inventory management, agriculture, scientific and government data acquisition, financial services, construction, and many more. 4. Where can I get a Simputer? Simputer development systems are currently available. This includes a monochrome Simputer, a color Simputer, and the Simputer SDK on CD-ROM, all for US$1500.00. The Simputer SDK includes all of the tools needed to compile applications for the Simputer on any supported Linux system, or on Windows. Simputers are not in retail distribution. Some potential development partners are in discussions with Encore Technologies, the principal manufacturer, about retail versions. FCC approval is being sought in the U.S., and similar efforts are under way for other markets. 5. What software runs on Simputers? The Simputer comes with standard Unix utilities, a hardware "control panel" set of utilities, and the following applications and demonstrations. E-mail Notepad Address book (seven languages) Calculator Web browser File browser Unix terminal running sh shell command interpreter MP3 music player Image file viewer IrDA printing utility Banking demo Billing demo Land survey demo Meter reader demo SmartCard reader/writer demo Text-to-Speech demo There are thousands of Unix/Linux applications that will run on Simputers. Many have been compiled for the StrongARM processor in the Simputer, and are available for download. Others can be cross-compiled from source code on any system running the Simputer SDK, and then downloaded to the Simputer. A Java system and several APL systems are being ported to the Simputer. Programming languages currently available for Simputer development include C, C++, Perl, Python, and LISP. There are Integrated Development Environments supporting all of these languages together with GUI development tools and numerous libraries. 6. Where can I find out more about the Simputer? The Simputer Trust (originators of the design) http://www.simputer.org Encore Technologies (manufacturer) http://www.simputerland.com Picopeta (manufacturer) http://www.picopeta.com The Showcase section of simputerland.com lists a number of applications and tools in development, and a number of partner companies working on Simputer development. -- Edward Cherlin Generalist & activist--Linux, languages, literacy and more "A knot! Oh, do let me help to undo it!" --Alice in Wonderland ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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Re: Budding GNU/Linux User Group
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 05 Apr '03

05 Apr '03

Thanks very much Vijay. Could you please add me to the mailing list? Let us know how we can help... If you would like us to share CDs with you, please send us a list of what you already have. The condition is that you must then share these freely with others in your area. Deal? FN On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, Vijay Kumar B. wrote: > Dear Sir, > we here at Trichy(TN), have started a new GNU/Linux User Group. We would like to > announce it through you newsletter. Our website is http://glugt.linuxisle.org. > Our mailing list is glug_t(a)freelists.org. > > Yours Sincerely, > Vijay Kumar. > Coordinator, > GNU/Linux User Group, Trichy > > > Non-free* software sucks. - RMS > * 'free' as in > freedom. > > --------------------------------------------- > This message was sent from RECTMAIL. > http://www.rect.edu/ or http://rangoli.rect.ernet.in/ > > -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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