Dear Friends,
Can anyone please provide some help on the following topic.?
This is regarding the "Akshaya" (www.akshaya.net) project being implemented by State Govt of Kerala. The pilot project was kicked-off in May 2003 in Malappuram District, with the launching of over 600 Akshaya e-kendras.
Now it is being implemented at other districts of the state and at Kannur, the process is currently going on.
I am also a candidate to start one centre in My Panchayat. I wanted to get valuable feedback/opinions/suggestions from others. As self-employment for many, it involves huge investment and many are dependent on bank loans( At least I am)!! .Proper help from others will be valuable guidance.
1) My plan is to set up Akshaya e -kendra using only GNU/Linux and free/open source softwares. The website of akshaya says the infrastructure should have minimum five PCs in a client server configuration. So I plan to setup a LTSP based diskless thin client configuration. I wanted to promote this and provide support to others setting up LTSP based Akshaya centers. I have few queries in this regard.
1) Does anyone( especially anyone from Malappuram) have experience with Akshaya at Malappuram. If so is to possible to share their experience?. 2) Did any one used GNU/Linux and free software application for setting up akshaya centers?. If so did they face any problem!!! 3) Does the CDs and other material supplied by concerned authorities work on LTSP thin client machines?. 4) Will it demand any requirement for any proprietary softwares?. 5) What is the current status of the Akshaya project at Malappuram??. I have read a news last month saying about 60% of the centers are facing closure due to lack of income generation and heavy burden on Bank loans!!.
At the site there are many success stories, but can anyone tell us about the ground reality!!!.
Any help is appreciated..
Regards
Sujeevan. Kannur
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