------------------------------------------------------------------- IOSNFOSSINASIA * IOSNFOSSINASIA * IOSNFOSSINASIA * IOSNFOSSINASIA * -------------------------------------------------------------------
8 8"""88 8""""8 8"""8 01010101010101010101010101010101010 8 8 8 8 8 8 Compiled by Frederick [FN] Noronha. 8e 8 8 8eeeee 8e 8 Supported by the International Open 88 8 8 88 88 8 Source Network www.iosn.net Copyleft 88 8 8 e 88 88 8 May be reproduced with due credit 88 8eeee8 8eee88 88 8 01010101010101010101010010101010010
8"""" 8"""88 8""""8 8""""8 8""""8 8 8 8 8 8 e eeeee 8 8 eeeee e eeeee 8eeee 8 8 8eeeee 8eeeee 8 8 8 8eeee8 8 " 8 8 8 88 8 8 88 88 8e 8e 8 88 8 8eeee 8e 8eee8 88 8 8 e 88 e 88 88 88 8 88 8 88 88 88 8 88 8eeee8 8eee88 8eee88 88 88 8 88 8 8ee88 88 88 8
November 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------- IOSNFOSSINASIA * IOSNFOSSINASIA * IOSNFOSSINASIA * IOSNFOSSINASIA * -------------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight ------------------------------------------------------------------- START A FOSS PACIFIC RESEARCH PROJECT WITH IOSN PIC
The Pacific Island Countries (PIC) node of the International Open Source Network (IOSN) is formed by a consortium of 4 regional organizations: Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC), South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), Secretariat of the South Pacific Community (SPC), and the University of the South Pacific (USP). This consortium is led by USP, which coordinates IOSN PIC from its Faculty of Science and Technology's School of Computing, Information, and Mathematical Sciences.
IOSN PIC focus areas include: FOSS applications in PIC; FOSS techniques to support the creation, storage and delivery of teaching and training materials; incorporation of FOSS in academic courses; Linux System Administrator Training of Trainers and certification; legal issues related to FOSS; localization of FOSS; and awareness raising.
IOSN PIC aims to foster research in the area of FOSS applications and development in the region, and is currently seeking ideas and expressions of interest for possible projects. IOSN will not be involved in every case in managing and implementing all projects, but it can assist in seeking funds from donors and providing technical advice. For more information, please contact Dr. Marko Schütz <schutz_m AT usp DOT ac DOT fj>.
IOSN PIC is one of three centres of excellence of IOSN. Others include IOSN ASEAN+3 and IOSN South Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.iosn.net
Other resources related to FOSS in PIC:
IOSN PIC - http://www.iosn.net/pacific-islands/
Pacific Island Countries Free/Open Source Software Communities and Activities Report (PICFOSSCAR), first edition, 22 March 2006 - http://www.iosn.net/pacific-islands/picfosscarpdf/view
(PICFOSSCAR's third edition is planned for December 2006. Please share short reports of any activities related to FOSS in the region.)
USP-IOSN Microgrant Programme for Pacific Island Countries - This Programme is a competitive grants scheme available to individuals or teams in the Pacific Island Countries. http://www.iosn.net/pacific-islands/usp-microgrants/
FOSS Resources for PIC - http://www.iosn.net/pacific-islands/countries/
Asia-Pacific Reports ------------------------------------------------------------------- ASIAN TEAMS CELEBRATING SOFTWARE FREEDOM DAY:
Bangladesh Linux Users Alliance http://www.linux.org.bd/
Bangladesh Open Source Network http://www.bdosn.org/
Bangla l10n Team (bangla_l10n AT yahoogroups.com) Jahangirnagar University Open Source Network (ju_osn AT yahoogroups.com) Chittagong University (cu_osn AT yahoogroups.com) BUET Open Source Network (buet_osn AT yahoogroups.com) RUET Open Source Network (ruet_osn AT yahoogroups.com) SUST Open Source Network (sust_osn AT yahoogroups.com)
Brunei: Brunei LINUX Users Group http://blug.mms2udirect.net Location: Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Belait Local parent organization: Brunei LINUX Users Group Team Contact: Hj Azaman Hj Suleiman Contact information: azlinux AT gmail.co
China: http://hackinglinux.org/
Indonesia: OpenSource (http://opensource.3wsi.net) Debian (http://debian.3wsi.net) Linux-aktivis (http://www.linux.or.id) kslbl (http://kslbl.hcm-consultant.com)
Contact Person : [Meta Nurwidyanto] meta AT softhome.net, [Nasir Simbolon] nasir AT kecapi.com, [Richard Sitompul] richard.sitompul AT gmail.com [Muhammad Hafizh] acid20burn_tux AT yahoo.com
Surabaya Linux User Group (http://surabaya.linux.or.id) [Moh. Noor Al 'Azam] noorazam AT rad.net.id, [Cahyo Darujati] darujati AT rad.net.id
Jogjakarta Linux/FOSS User Group (http://jogja.linux.or.id) info at jogja dot linux dot or dot id
Java User Group Indonesia (http://www.jug.or.id) jug-indonesia AT yahoogroups.com
BlueOxygen Federation (http://www.blueoxygen.org) Project: Cimande (http://cimande.dev.java.net) Komodo - Digital Library System (with Minister of R&D) Kresna (http://kresna.ristek.go.id) Contact: frans AT blueoxygen.org
Iran: Isfahan Linux Users Group. ziaee AT itland.ir (Majid Ziaee) Farsi Linux Project Ebadiebadi AT aictc.com
Israel: Hamakor, an Israeli FLOSS NPO Action Plan for SFD. See discussion here (english mostly): Softwre Freedom Day - Call for Help [http://linmagazine.co.il/node/view/3436]
Chameleon.org.il Technical Howto Documents Writting Contest: Chameleon is holding a Technical Howto Documents Writting Contest day. Main Prize: SuSE Linux 10.1. every participant will get a Linux Technical Kit Resource Kit.
Malaysia: Malaysian Open Source Group (http://my-opensource.org) Free/Open Source Society Malaysia (http://foss.org.my) Aizat aizat.faiz@gmail.com
Mongolian Open Source Initiative: Week of FOSS is one week event a part of SFD that will educate computer science students about FOSS at their universities. During this week we will give talk on topics what is FOSS, what are benefits, how does it develops, how I can get involved to the students of 10 major computer science teaching universities in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. http://www.mnosi.org/
Nepal: Team Name: FOSS Nepal Community Contact: fossnepal AT gmail dot com
Pakistan: Team Islamabad. Location: Pakistan Software Export Board, Ministry of IT & Telecom. Open Source Resource Center (http://www.osrc.org.pk) Team Contact: Sufyan Kakakhel skakakhel AT pseb.org.pk
Team Karachi. Local parent organization: Department of Computer Science - UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI. NUCES-FAST Karachi. Date: September 10th, 2005.
Team Lahore. FOSSFP: Free and Open Source Software Foundation of Pakistan. [http://www.fossfp.org] Team Contacts: Dr. M Anwar-ur-Rehman Pasha, Chairman Fouad Riaz Bajwa, General Secretary.
Singapore: Harish Pillay will be speaking on "The Importance of Open Source in Education". Both Red Hat and LUGS are participating in this event. http://wiki.lugs.org.sg/SoftwareFreedomDay2006 Contact information: harish.pillay AT gmail.com
Sri Lanka: The Lanka Linux User Group (LKLUG) [http://www.lug.lk/] and the Sri Lankan FOSS community [http://www.foss.lk/] BLOGS: http://budlite.blogspot.com/2006/09/open-invitation-to-celebrate-software.ht... http://nirmaljayasinghe.wordpress.com/2006/09/17/free-and-open-source/ http://chaarmax.blogspot.com/2006/09/software-freedom-day-tomorrow.html http://budlite.blogspot.com/2006/09/freedom-lost-at-software-freedom-day.htm... http://chanux.wordpress.com/2006/09/21/software-freedom-day-2006-1-2/ http://chanux.wordpress.com/2006/09/21/software-freedom-day-2006-2/
Philippines: Vizcayano Linux Users Group V.L.U.G http://vlug.vizcayano.com
Pangasinan Linux Users Group P.L.U.G http://www.plugz.cjb.net
baguiocity philippines http://CLANph.farvista.net
Vietnam: http://www.hanoilug.org/
IOSN News ------------------------------------------------------------------- FOSS@WORK
An International Workshop for Small and Medium IT Enterprises, Heritage Hotel, Manila, Philippines, 12-15 November 2006
The International Open Source Network (IOSN) ASEAN+3, UNDP-APDIP, InWEnt-Capacity Building International of Germany and University of the Philippines Manila are hosting a workshop on FOSS for Small and Medium Enterprises in the IT industry (SMITE).
While there are many SMITEs working with and on FOSS solutions, many others in the region are still unfamiliar with FOSS. IOSN ASEAN+3 is organizing a workshop for developers, senior IT staff and IT decision makers of SMITES, to provide orientation and technical training on FOSS architecture and community management skills.
The workshop will:
be an opportunity to network experienced FOSS developers with potential FOSS developers; be an opportunity to share experiences and best practices, and promote collaboration; and enhance the technical skills of developers through power training
Topics
Overview of FOSS Business models for FOSS FOSS collaboration and project management tools Content management systems Productivity (OpenOffice + localization) IP-based voice services Developing multimedia with FOSS SMS programming with FOSS And more
Workshop participation fee is Php 5,500.00 (or USD$100.00) - subsidies are available for qualified applicants.
Register online at http://www.iosn.net/asean-3/countries/philippines/events/foss-at-work/regist....
Find out more at http://www.iosn.net/asean-3/countries/philippines/events/foss-at-work or email asean3@iosn.net
Linux System Administrator Training of Trainers ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok, Thailand, 28 August – 9 September 2006 Quezon City, Philippines, 9 – 21 October 2006
Two regional training of trainers sessions were held over the last two months in Bangkok, Thailand and Quezon City, Philippines.
A major barrier against adoption and deployment of FOSS in developing countries is the lack of human resources with FOSS skills. These introductory programmes aims to address the problem by training trainers so that they can train others in their countries, and therefore kick-start a self-sustaining development of FOSS human resources. The course introduces Linux trainers to training with open content Linux system administration training materials and low-cost certification examinations of the Linux Professional Institute (LPI).
The training of trainers session held in Bangkok attracted 20 participants from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia and Thailand. It was co-organized by IOSN, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), NECTEC Human Resources Development Center and Linux Professional Institute. The session in the Philippines was co-organized by IOSN ASEAN+3 and Linux Professional Institute. Both events were supported by InWEnt-Capacity Building International of Germany and Open Society Institute.
For more information, please visit
http://www.iosn.net/asean-3/countries/thailand/tot/linux-training-of-trainer... http://www.iosn.net/asean-3/countries/philippines/events/tot/training-of-tra...
Asia Source II ------------------------------------------------------------------- Free and Open Source Technologies for NGOs and SMEs, Sukabumi, Indonesia 22-30 January 2007
This follows the much-remembered and talked-of eight-day Asia Source held in Bangalore in January 2005. This camp was one in a series of international camps on the use of free and open source software being organized across the developing world.
Asia Source II seeks to build the skills and networks of those in the region who are working in the non-governmental organization (NGO) and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sectors. The event will bring together people from the more technical to the more content-oriented. These range from software developers and system administrators, to trainers, consultants and FOSS advocates, as well as technology/NGO project managers, and tech-savvy activists/NGO workers.
Areas of focus will include the following:
TRACK ONE: Open Publishing and Broadcasting: Communication Strategies and Writing Effectively. Graphic Design, Web Tools [Content Management Systems, Blogs, Wikis] and Audio/Video Production and Streaming. Script Writing and Story Boarding. File Formats and Conversion Utilities. Shooting and Editing Methodologies Who should attend: Campaigners, Content Developers, Web Masters, Activists, Fundraisers, Graphic Designers, Film Makers, Radio Professionals, New Media Practitioners and Archivists.
TRACK TWO: Alternative Hardware and Access: Refurbished Hardware, Thin Clients, Hardware Hacking, Wireless Solutions and Community Radio. Who should attend: Server Administrators, Network Administrators, Trainers, E-Riders, Rural Community Organisers, Relief Workers, Privacy Activists and ICT4D Professionals.
TRACK THREE: FOSS Implementation and Migration: Moving an NGO or SME from proprietary software to FOSS. Participatory Design and Planning, Evaluating FOSS, End-User Training and Support Techniques, Dealing with Desktops, Proxy Server, Firewall, Mail Server and Groupware. Change management and migration strategies. Who should attend: Server Administrators, Network Administrators, Trainers, E-Riders, ICT4D Professionals and Software Developers
TRACK FOUR: Information Management: Mapping Information Sources and Requirements. Best practices for Creating Specifications, Information Architecture and User Interface Design. Web-based Databases, Geographical Information Systems, Customer Relationship Management, Application/Communication Security and Disaster Management Systems. Who should attend: Heads of Organisations, Senior Management, Campaigners, Activists, Fundraisers, Archivists, Community Organisers, Environmentalists, Relief Workers and Health Workers.
Workshop participation fee is USD$75.00 – subsidies to cover the participation fee is available for qualified applicants. The deadline for application is 17 NOVEMBER 2006.
Find out more and register online at http://www.iosn.net/regional/asiasource-2007, or email asiasource2@iosn.net
NEW FOSS CASE STUDIES ------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 new case studies from across the world are available on http://www.iosn.net/publications/case-studies
The case studies looks at the successful deployment of FOSS in select projects from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America. In each case study, the reasons for choosing to use FOSS together with the development, implementation and impact of the FOSS applications are discussed. The benefits obtained and challenges encountered as well as any valuable lessons learned are also highlighted.
These case studies are from a forthcoming IOSN publication entitled, "Breaking Barriers: The Potential of Free and Open Source Software for Sustainable Human Development – A Compilation of Case Studies from Across the World."
To submit a case study on how your project has successfully deployed FOSS, please email info@iosn.net. The case study should follow the same format as follows:
Summary; Background of Organization; Objectives of Project; FOSS Application (Description, Choice of FOSS, Development and Implementation, Deployment, Impact); Lessons Learned; Current Status of Project; Benefits and Challenges; Other Information; Conclusion; Contact Information (Project Name, Organization, Contact Person(s), Street/Postal Address, Email(s), Telephone, Fax) Website(s)
Links from Asia-Pacific ------------------------------------------------------------------- OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS: OLD HARDWARE http://polishlinux.org/choose/linux-on-old-hardware/ By Borys Musielak Is [GNU]Linux a good choice for your old PC? This article examines the main issues connected with using GNU/Linux on some very old hardware. The article also covers choosing a distro, a desktop and the key applications for such a configuration. An article by
FROM BANGLADESH: Ubuntu Bangladesh http://www.ubuntu-bd.org/
FROM VIETNAM: Hacao Linux http://hacao.com/ Hacao Linux is a small Vietnamese Linux distribution, based on Puppy Linux (http://www.puppylinux.org/) by Nguyễn Quang Trường. The Hacao Office.2.01 VN version integrates the free office suite OpenOffice.org 2.0.3 in Vietnamese and can be installed to a 256 MB USB drive.
FROM PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES: Pacific Island Countries FOSS mailing list – http://lists.apdip.net/mailman/listinfo/iosn-pacific [iosn-pacific] provides a forum to discuss FOSS issues in Pacific Island Countries. Archives: http://lists.apdip.net/pipermail/iosn-pacific/
------------------------------------------------------------------- IOSN NEWSLETTER: FOSS in Asia-Pacific is compiled by Frederick Noronha and supported by the International Open Source Network http://www.iosn.net
IOSN promotes the adoption of free/open source software, open standards and open content for sustainable human development in the Asia-Pacific region. IOSN is a network with a small secretariat based at the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok and three centre of excellence -- IOSN ASEAN+3, IOSN PIC (Pacific Island Countries) and IOSN South Asia, based in Manila, Suva and Chennai respectively. To find out more, contact the centres of excellence.
IOSN ASEAN+3: asean3@iosn.net IOSN PIC: pic@iosn.net IOSN South Asia: southasia@iosn.net
IOSN is an initiative of UNDP Asia-Pacific Development Information, and supported by the International Development Reserch Centre of Canada.
To include Asia-Pacific related news about FOSS in this newsletter, please email frededericknoronha@gmail.com
This newsletter is released under the Creative Commons Attribute 2.5 license. Reproduction of the contents of this newsletter is encouraged, provided acknowledgement of the source(s) is made. -------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Frederick Noronha