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CopyLeft2002 GNU/GPL v2 OR LATER * ISSUE03 * JULY16, 2002 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Co-edited by Frederick Noronha and Parag Mehta <pm at linuxindia dot org> * +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In this issue o Linux... and the (Indian) languages (Yudit, Indianisation document, linguistic info) o Reports from the regions (Calicut-Kozhikode, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi) o Ingenuity from India (GNU software for libraries, qmailtheeasyway, Newbie's Guide to Linux, ElxLinux, suggesting for Indian accounting, thinclients at Goa, NevyOS, GLUE, mailinglist for PHP, MP3player, etc o Events (Lineo, Exocore training in Bangalore July 2002) o Linux goes to school (updates from Delhi, Goa...)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ****************** LINUX...AND THE (INDIAN) LANGUAGES ******************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
YUDIT... GOES MALAYALAM, KANNADA, TELUGU: Gaspar Sinai gsinai@yudit.org announced recently that Yudit 2.5.4 has been released. As Raj Mathur noted: "The current version of Yudit has complete support for Malayalam and other indic languages. It can also use Opentype layout tables of Malayalam fonts. I think Yudit is the first application that can use opentype tables for Malayalam, as MS is yet to release it's engine for Malayalam." ~ Yudit 2.5.4 can be downloaded from:
http://www.yudit.org/download.html
Changes: o Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu support o Software glyph-mirroring o iso-8859-15, iso-8859-16, koi8-c, koi8-u, ncr and rovas converters etc ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GNU/LINUX'S FUTURE... IN INDIANISATION: Ankur terminus@vsnl.net mentioned some weeks back about work on Indianisation of GNU/Linux
This is the link to that Indianisation document: http://www.geocities.com/ratheeshvadhyar/ratheesh-thesis.pdf
And, a few relevant exchanges on the Linux Kernel mailing list: http://www.uwsg.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0012.0/0297.html
Says he: "One thing especially that I am not very clear about is, what should be the priority for Indianisation: Transliteration(for people who can think in English) or pure ground up IndiX type of effort so as to replace English as the language of the system." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INDIC-COMPUTING WORKSHOP, STILL AT PLANNING STAGE: This is an early announcement from Tapan Parikh tap2k@yahoo.com Please check with him for final details, dates could change due to the early nature of these plans.
The Indic-Computing workshop is being planned for its core contributers of the Indic-Computing Project at sourceforge.net at the end of August, either August 24-25 or 31st - Sept. 1st. It will be held in Bangalore in association with Hewlett Packard.
The main purpose of this workshop is to bring together young and energetic developers working in the space of developing local language development tools, applications, and content. It would be a small and informal workshop, with 20-25 core participants, including a lot of free discussion intended to spur creative and passionate thought about the future of local language computing technologies.
The agenda would be two days in length. There would be a few presentations on each day to seed discussion, but these would still allow ample time for discussion, consensus building and group interaction.
At the end of the meeting, organisers hope to have assembled a community of technically informed and motivated people to organize and lead the indic-computing development effort into the future. The leadership of this community should be individual driven, technically motivated, and entrenched with youth, vitality and a progressive vision.
By building a community of practitioners, developers, linguistic experts and organizers, they hope to share ideas and experiences, facilitate broad discussion about the issues involved and discuss future directions for the field.
"We also hope that this broad coalition would play in faciltatory role in helping local language groups interact more effectively with international standards processes and forums, such as the Unicode Consortium and W3C," say the organisers.
"By the end of the meeting we will also talk about the future of the indic-computing project, how we can broaden it's impact and membership, and how it can be sustained, developed and expanded in the future," a concept note says. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LINGUISTIC INFO FOR INDIAN LANGUAGES: Tapan S. Parikh tap2k@yahoo.com says he is working with Koshy to pull together some linguistic info for Indian languages, document that and post it to the handbook on their web page.
Says he: "Basically the idea now is to put these guidelines out there and solicit a lot of feedback on this info from the general community for each language, from which we can collate the best results and publish in the handbook. So we dont want so many questions that people will be overwhelmed, and we should accept partial responses and the collate the best answers to each area on our side, but we still want to be comprehensive."
Contact Parikh for more information.
Email tap2k@yahoo.com http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/tapan/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *********************REPORTS... FROM THE REGIONS************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAILING LIST FROM DOWN SOUTH: Baiju M malayalamlinux@yahoo.com tells us about the the Calicut (Kerala) mailing list, which welcomes all useful GNU/Linux related information.
Self-description: "Free Software User Group - Calicut has one mailing list to discuss various topics related to free softwares and freedom of users and devlopers. We are promoting free software use."
To subscribe mailto fsug-calicut-request@freelists.org with a subject of 'subscribe' Website http://www.freelists.org/website/fsug-calicut ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAILING LIST FROM MUMBAI: Check the Linuxers mailing list on the ilug-bom.org.in server.
Send Linuxers mailing list submissions to linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://mm.ilug-bom.org.in/mailman/listinfo/linuxers or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to linuxers-request@mm.ilug-bom.org.in You can reach the person managing the list at linuxers-admin@mm.ilug-bom.org.in ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INITIATIVE IN PUNE: Ignatius Nayan D'Rozario inigo@vsnl.com who has been associated with the ILUG Kolkata Chapter from the time it was formed in St Xavier's Kolkata, is currently in Pune. He's student Sys Admin of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication.
He is in the process of setting up an intranet and linking up their website www.simc.edu as a central portal where all the students and staff can log into the institution. He hopes to cash-in on his earlier experience with GNU/Linux.
Says he: "I have been reading a few scattered articles on how Red Hat has partnered with Goan educational institutions in the propagation of the Open Source movement. I was hoping that association with a major like RedHat would strengthen my case when I present my proposal for setting up the intranet. Also I would need info on any Indian successes both corporate and if anything like this is up and running based on a Linux server anywhere in India, especially in the West so that the "see-and feel-factor" would be nice...." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ILUG-DELHI, KEEPING IN TOUCH: To subscribe, send email to ilugd-request@wpaa.org with subscribe in subject header. To unsubscribe, send email to ilugd-request@wpaa.org with unsubscribe in subject header Archives are available at http://www.mail-archive.com/ilugd%40wpaa.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ***********************INGENUITY... FROM INDIA**************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GNU/LINUX SOFTWARE FOR LIBRARIES: Check out the software package for library automation created by three young men when they were engineering students in Goa. Sharmad Naik sharmad@goatelecom.com says the software is available for download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/glibs ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
QMAIL, THE EASY WAY... COURTESY TREVOR: Trevor Warren trevorwarren@yahoo.com of Mumbai is behind the project called www.qmailtheeasyway.com, which is "within the top 200 projects" in the Free Software world on Freshmeat.net. Says he modestly: "Of course, the major success of the project goes to DJB on whom my software is based." Warren is the Project Manager for Linux/Unix at ZCL, Zenith Computers Limited and works out of Mumbai. http://www.qmailtheeasyway.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GUIDE... FROM INDIA... ON GNU/LINUX: Check the "Newbie's Guide to Linux" http://db.ilug-bom.org.in/Documentation/NGL/
Also the SGML sources are available at the following location http://db.ilug-bom.org.in/lug-authors/sameerds/
It comes to us from Sameer D. Sahasrabuddhe sam_buddhe@yahoo.com of the Reconfigurable Computing Lab, KReSIT, IIT-Bombay. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FEEDBACK ON ELX-LINUX (HYDERABAD): Delhi-based journalist Jal Khambata jalnews@spectranet.com, an old-time friend, writes in to say that he has been using elx-linux "by a Hyderabad team" for quite some time and "find it very well configured to easily work in the network environment". As he puts it, his friends and colleagues "still refuse to migrate from Microsoft and I can now network to them through Samba on elx." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHAT ABOUT INDIAN ACCOUNTING? Saswata Banerjee scrap@saswatabanerjee.com, who heads a cost accounting firm, recently had this to say on ILUG-BOM: "I think if you want to do things to make Linux more popular with corporate users, we will need more of common office use software. If you wish to add an "accounting software" to your list of projects, I will be willing to put in time to coordinate it (of course, someone here will have to tell me how this coordinating is done)." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THIN-CLIENTS, PALMTOPS... AT GOA: Arvind Clemente of Controlnet, Goa arvind@controlnet.co.in has announced plans for a live demo of thin clients to be given by Yunus Shaikh, who was working on this type of an environment in Norway and Goa.
This will be demoed at the next Margao ILUG-Goa meeting on Saturday, July 20, at Adarsh Vidyalaya High School, Margao, South Goa at 4 pm.
Arvind will himself also show a demo of how to connect your Palm OS based PDA to a standard D-Link 56K modem and configure the same for dialup to ISP and get mail/browse the Internet.
To join ILUG-Goa send a blank email to ilug-goa-subscribe@eGroups.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEVYOS: Check out Mayuresh Kathe's site and work on the NevyOS http://www.tisya.co.in/nevyos/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GLUE, A USEFUL COMPILIATION OF LINUX IN EDUCATION: baiju m malayalamlinux@yahoo.com comments on the GLUE CD compiliation http://ele.gec.ac.in/~msr/glue/
"I think this GLUE CD will be useful for all category of students especially Engineering. I am a Civil Engg. student. I had an experiance during my 7th semester, our B.Tech project requires on Project Management software. The commercial non-free softwares like Primavera was very costly. At last we only got a demo version of MS Project and Primavera. Later I found that there are some free softwares available for this, but those projects were in the initial stages only.
"Now MrProject, a free Project Management Software is available with GNOME office. Redhat 7.3 has included this package. If this utility is not included in GLUE; include this one in the next version. link: http://mrproject.codefactory.se
"Recently, one of my junior asked whether there is any Visualization toolkit available along with GNU/Linux, for his project work. Mayavi is a good choice for this. It is a Data Visualizer from an Indian hacker. Link: http://mayavi.sourceforge.net/ " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TRAINING FOR STUDENTS IN PHP, A MAILING LIST ON PHP: Dr Tarique Sani tarique@sanisoft.com the medico-turned-GNU/Linux guru from Nagpur, says his firm SANIsoft is "going thru what has happened to good companies which were left after the dotcom bust -- we are busy with our commercial projects...." But if this trend continues, he hopes to hire more programmers and put in at least "thirty per cent of total man-hours" into Open Source-related work.
Says he: "Yes my *free* PHP courses are continuing -- every month for three weeks, six days a week for 90 minutes each day I teach a batch of six choosen students about PHP". Keep up the good work Dr Sani!
Check out: PHP Applications for E-Biz: http://www.sanisoft.com Indian PHP User Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/in-phpug ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SIMPUTER APPS... ARE YOU INTERESTED? Simputer (www.simputer.org) prototypes are ready and this GNU/Linux project is expected to go in for commercial production shortly.
One suggestion that came up recently was for the need of a volunteer team to help build Simputer-applications, that would make this 'commonman's computer' even more useful.
Sandra Morgan of GraffitiWorkz, Inc. says they already have an active website under development and are partnering with both Encore and PicoPeta on the manifacture and distribution of the Simputer. Says she: "We will certainly be happy to supply space and the development of the portal under discussion."
Vivek K S ksvivek@picopeta.com of Picopeta says: "I already have a Simputer project registered at Source forge; If there is a basic idea about what one wants to do; I can create a module under that name and give CVS access for the same. There should be one person who will take personal responsibility for the module; I can help in initial coordination; till the person can completely handle the module by himself. Also all developer discussions should be made on the simputer-devel mailing list; to ensure that non-technical subscribers of this mailing list are not affected."
Check PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd., for interesting updates on the GNU/Linux-based Simputer http://www.picopeta.com
To subscribe from the Simputer group, send an email to: simputer-subscribe@egroups.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHAT IS IMLI: IMLI is a browser created by the Simputer Trust, and it uses the IML markup language. It is designed for easy creation of Indian language content and is integrated with the text to speech Engine. It is a choice for the implementors of the Simputer, to decide whether the IMLI browser is included in a standard distribution or not.... The HTML browser on the Simputer will always support HTML browsing irrespective of the presence of IMLI. IMLI can be indepently installed on any Simputer, irrespective of any existing framework. The PicoPeta Simputer comes pre-installed with IMLI, however, IMLI can also be downloaded and installed independently on any Simputer. Transferring data to the Simputer can be achieved via serial, USB, IR or modem. More information from ksvivek@picopeta.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPECS OF THE (ENCORE) SIMPUTER: The Simputer uses a built-in modem to dial into an ISP and then browse the net.... For connectivity you need access to a telephone line. The modem is built-in. You also need an account with an ISP. You do not normally use GPS. But is a GPS Receiver is incorporated, your positional information can be recorded. This information could then be used in conjunction with GIS maps of the region where you might be travelling. "Considerable progress" has been made in the development of a new version of the Simputer which has several interesting features that help in product expansion and connectivity. Encore has added a CompactFlash socket, through an optional Docking-Cradle, that could be used for CF-II compliant cards such as a Flash card or a Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) interface.
They also offer a choice of Colour or Monochrome LCD displays. Their new Simputer will now be available in "atleast four" different standard configurations described in the attached specification-sheet.
Encore's current plan calls for launching 200 Simputer Evaluation Kits by the 1st week of August, and a subsequent launch of 1000 Simputers, before large scale production starts. "We are now accepting orders for the new Simputer Evaluation Kits, with delivery within 10 weeks of receipt of orders," says Encore.
The following 4 standard models of the evaluation kit are planned: ESKIT-3216M Monochrome, 32 MB RAM, 16 MB Flash ESKIT-3216C Colour, 32 MB RAM, 16 MB Flash ESKIT-6432M Monochrome, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB Flash ESKIT-6432C Colour, 64 MB RAM, 32 MB Flash
Further technical and pricing details from Shashank Garg VP - Product Development Encore Software Limited 6F Leo Complex 44 Residency Cross Road Bangalore - 560025 [India] Tel: +91-80-5593182, 5593174 Fax: +91-80-5587690 shanks@ncoretech.com www.ncoretech.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHAT IS ANJUTA? Anjuta is a nice IDE (integrated development environment) which combines the power of GLADE (a tool which creates the graphical front-ends for your GTK programmes) to create excellent iterfaces and its own code editing abilities to give the user a power-packed tool for creating apps on the fly. It has Glade integrated within it such that Glade creates the interface and Anjuta edits the code and builds the projects.
Check the article in the July 2002 issue of DeveloperIQ (www.developeriq.com) by Ishan Chattopadhyaya, a Class XI student of St Joseph's College in Allahabad. For the past year, he has been engaged in Anjuta and Glade's documentation. He is also responsible for the creation of the easy-to-install wGLADE and winGTK ports of GTK and Glade to the windows environment. "Although they are in testing stage, they work quite well," comments DeveloperIQ.
Anjuta is a creation of Delhi-based Naba Kumar (23), who hails from Manipur. He named this software after his girlfriend! Explains Naba Kumar: "(Anjuta) is an integrated development environment. Or, in short, an IDE. It's a platform where one gets all the tools for developing software. You could call it a factory to develop and distribute software." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PROJECT FOR A MP3 PLAYER ON LINUX: Siddharth Desai engico83_2k@rediffmail.com tells us details of a recent project: The MP3 player that we made was based on a P166/200 MMX with an addon that we made that connects to the parallel port. No keyboard, mouse or monitor needed. Hard disk could be used to speed up the system and store MP3's else CD-ROM drive for MP3s. Floppy drive (or hdd) to boot. OS + program fits on a floppy. Program reads parallel port and runs mpg123 which plays MP3s. Also modified the power supply to run of a car battery. The keypad (connects to parallel port) has 5 keys -- play/pause , next track, previous track, eject and one key which selected between songs 0-99 or 100-199 (since the LED display on the keypad could show only 2 digits). We entered the contest in the software section at the CIIILP exhibition of technical projects." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BHARAT MEDIRATTA, GALLERY PROJECT ON SOURCEFORGE: Anyone trying to track Indians contributing to GNU/Linux globally have a tough task. Are these names from India? Could they be from the subcontinent outside of India (e.g. Sri Lanka)? Are they part of the Indian diaspora that settled in countries like Malaysia or Guyana generations ago?
Ravi Rao ravi@bothan.net draws our attention to Bharat Mediratta, one of the creators of the Gallery project on sourceforge -- http://gallery.sf.net/
"I'm wondering if he's Indian," said Rao.
Hari Nair Hari.Nair@jpl.nasa.gov who's name is prominently mentioned on xplanets, writes in to say: "My family is from Kerala, but I was born and raised in the US."
See also http://nagendra.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WORK FROM GAURAV VAISH: Check out some work from Gaurav Vaish:
- http://home.iitk.ac.in/student/gvaish/ - http://mastergaurav.virtualave.net/ - http://home.iitk.ac.in/student/gvaish/pg.shtml
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *****************EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS******************* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LINEO, EMBEDDING LINUX TRAINING IN BANGALORE: Two-day technical training workshop on Lineo Embedix SDK will be held on July 22-23 at the Leela Palace, Airport Road, Bangalore from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
This is the first Workshop on Lineo Embedix SDK in India to provide in depth complete training. This two-day intensive course promises theory as well as hands-on training.
It will makr the launch of Embedix SDK. Lineo India will host the workshop by Lineo USA personnel.
Embedix SDK operating system configuration tool is a powerful development environment for configuring, customizing and deploying Linux embedded software solutions. Embedix SDK 2.4 is a comprehensive solution that leads developers through the key steps of the application development and deployment process, including target configuration, user application development, automated deployment, debugging, software license review, and integration of new software and patches.
Rs 6500 per head. Registration via email to lineo@gtcdrom.com. Or, register online www.gtcdrom.com/lineo.html ajay.kapoor@lineo.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EXOCORE PROGRAMME FOR LIN-ADMINS IN BANGALORE: The Exocore Professional Linux Administrator Workshop is being held on July 18-19 at Hotel Le Meridien, Bangalore It will take participants from ground-up (installation and configuration of Linux) through network services (deployment and managing of Linux based services) to management (securing and maintaining Linux), according to its promoters.
It also covers the deployment of Linux based desktops. This workshop is not a "What is Linux" kind of seminar -- it is aimed at practical deployment of Linux in a corporate environment, drawing on the years of experience that Exocore Consulting has in this field, says its promoters.
"The course is conducted by Exocore Consulting - the people behind the well known PCQuest Linux Initiative, which has over the past 6 years been responsible for thousands of people across India successfully deploying Linux in their organisations," says the team organising it. This course is designed by Atul Chitnis and Gopi Garge. Supported by Shankar Balan, Vaibhav Sharma, Sony Philip and Ramakrishna K.
Course Fees Rs.9,500 per participant.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ***************LINUX GOES TO SCHOOL... AND COLLEGE************************ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DISCUSSING GNU/LINUX IN SCHOOLS< COLLEGES AND VARSITIES: LIFE is the Mumbai-based mailing lists that looks at GNU/Linux in education issues. It is run by Nagarjuna G nagarjun@hbcse.tifr.res.in More details about him from from his website http://www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/gn/
About LIFE: LIFE is a mailing list for discussing and posting information related to the use of GNU/Linux and other Free software solutions to education in schools, colleges and universities.
LIFE@mm.hbcse.tifr.res.in http://mm.hbcse.tifr.res.in/mailman/listinfo/life ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SINGLE CD ON ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS: One of Nagarjuna's recent ideas: "I am presently planning a single CD distribution containing the applications and goodies requiered for a regular engineering college student. I would like to keep in mind the syllabus and projects students do. Can some of you tell us what kind of applications are used/needed by students? We can build the list and sit on one sunday and make the distro. Debian GNU/Linux has special scripts to make custom CDs from their original master distribution. I am planning to use this." --Nagarjuna http://mm.ilug-bom.org.in/mailman/search/college-distro/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LINUX TERMINAL SERVER SYSTEM, SOLUTION FOR SCHOOLS? Ajith in New Delhi ajith@nsc.ernet.in recent wrote in to say that he is trying to propose the GNU Linux Terminal Server System as a solution to schools and colleges. He's doing so after testing it at Nuclear Science Centre "for nearly one year on around 100 terminals".
Writes Ajith: "(There are now) several GNU/Linux Terminal Server Installations. At University of Calicut, CEDT, IHRD computer training centre and some other places. The Skill Development Centre at district panchayat office, Calicut, also has one with 10 terminals and giving training on Linux based office automation packages."
He argues that the cost of a good color terminal (diskless) will not exceed Rs.13,000/- . You can also configure an old P1 or 486 as a graphics terminal. (The GLUE CD he recently put together contains the software and instructions to setup a system.)
This, he calculates, a 20 terminal system + server + network will cost less than Rs 350,000 (approx US$ 7000). The Free Software User Group, Calicut, has a group of volunteers trained in setting up Terminal Server System and offering help." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REDHAT... IN ONE CD: Supreet supreet@linux-delhi.org who's working on the GNU/Linux-for-schools project in Delhi says in mid-July: "I have modified the redhat 7.3 distro and it ships in one CD. Installs kde desktop, grub, timezone by default asia/calcutta. Has mozilla 1.0, openoffice 1.0. If anybody is interested in testing the CD can contact me. There could be a 10-20 minute demo of the CD in next meet."
He also needs to add basic and logo packages because he could not find stable release of bwbasic or ucblogo. "I am also looking at packages like xbasic and yabasic. If anybody has prior experience in compiling and running any of these packages should inform me with details," says he. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GNU/LINUX IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOO?: Linux in schools... what next? Linux in primary school? Lawrie lawrie@goatelecom.com has been working on a plan with a primary school to shift over to Linux. He hopes to guide the school and train the teachers too... Adds his sig-line: "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LINUX ACCESS PROJECT IN DELHI: Sarai <www.sarai.net>, in association with Linux Users Group, Delhi, recently initiated the Linux Access Project. This project attempts to generate awareness and use of Free Software in schools in Delhi.
As a first step the Free Software team at Sarai is creating a Red Hat-based distribution network that will be easily available on a CD. A few schools willing to start using Linux-based systems have been identified and a series of workshops are planned through the year to introduce and familarise students to Free Software programs. The Free Software Kit prepared by Supreet Sethi and Pankaj Kaushal at Sarai will be distributed. Members of the project will also extend technical support.Details from: dak@sarai.net ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DELHI PARCELS OUT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SCHOOLS PROJECT: Prateek Khanna prateek@linux-delhi.org lists the responsibilites being parcelled out to various individuals to take the Linux-In-Schools project ahead in Delhi:
* Proposal to be prepared for IDG for mutual dealing (Tripta)
* Syllabus: what is the current class XI-XII CBSE syllabus (prateek khanna to arrange a copy); is the syllabus and texts OS-neutral; if not good enough make courseware which is relevant; analysis of questions papers.
* Issues on CVS to be dealt with by Sandip, Karan, Pai and Supreet. Not a matter of much concern for the time being
* Quizes on linux and talks on open source to be held in the Software competitions organised by the schools.
* The talks with the schools should not just be on pragmatic points. They should talk about freedom of software; open source; the fact that you can learn more from free source... the implementation of what they study as a part of programming
* No commercial organisation be brought into picture as far as possible. Red Hat will be the favoured distribution. Still, an evaluation is being done for a better alternative for schools.
* Mailing list has been set up.
* Key responsibilities: Project management (Sudheer Gandotra), presentation (Prateek/Tripta), Write ups and manual (Dhurv/Supreet), Distribution (Raj Mathur), Tickets (Raj Mathur), CVS (Raj Mathur), Central Support (Sarai), Machine for testing (Tripta), Software List (Leo Fernandez), Syllabus (Prateek).
There's a new mailing list for the Linux for Schools project initiated by ILUG-Delhi. Please send subscribe in the Subject header to mailto:school-request@linux-delhi.org?subject=subscribe to subscribe; send mail to mailto:school@linux-delhi.org to post to it.
Non-member posts are disabled by default. If you wish to post without subscribing, please send the mail to raju@kandalaya.org and he'll forward it. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GLUE, GETTING LOT OF UNADULTERATED ENTHUSIASM (ALREADY): Ajith Kumar ajith@nsc.ernet.in put together GLUE, what some are already callling an "excellent resource" of GNU/Linux resources for education. Says Prof Rayudu of the Goa Engineering College: "First let me congratulate all of you involved in compiling the CD. The CD is an excellent resource." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTHING OF MINE, SAYS KUMAR MODESTLY: When asked for permission to post it on a site, Kumar says modestly: "There is nothing much of mine in it, except a little bit in the physics, php and device driver sections. You can do anything with that internally. External hosting we cannot do with things like StarOffice 5.2 that is included in it. it is not much of an issue since we are not selling it. Try to utilize it any manner you find suitable. Try to distribute copies to anyone interested. Print the file gluecover.ps to make a paper cover for the CD if you like." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FOR DISKLESS TERMINALS: "(For diskless terminals) the CD contains most of the stuff needed, I hope. LTSP is very significant for us. NSC is using it on a large number of machines," says Kumar. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF GETTING GNU/LINUX INTO GOA SCHOOLS: Tom Fernandes, working amidst trying and difficult circumstances with others like Ashley Delaney and a few other volunteers, for the Goa Schools Computers Project, has something to report. Recently GSCP opted to install GNU/Linux in schools, with some support from Red Hat.
Says Tom: "There is a project in Goa /India (www.goasudharop.org/gscp - sorry not much usefull information YET) where we distributed around 350 machines (Pentium 1) to schools all over Goa. Around 100 were sent out configured with LTSP.... We used RH 7.2. Servers are 166-200 MHZ with 96-128 MB of Edo RAM. Clients are 66-166MHZ, 16-32 MB of RAM."
They're using Gnome and additionally windomaker. To make things easier, they customized the installation procedure and are writing some script to automize some things.
The problems so far: * A lot of hardware probs (old buggy, hardware in a very tropical country (as Tom, who's of German-Indian origins, puts it: "At the moment my t-shirts are rotting.") * Gnome crashes sometimes (the server is just too slow, but what to do -- six slots for edo ram only and edo ram is not easily available or cheap * People mess up the settings (panel mostly) -- need some recovering scripts for the teachers to refresh some configs or create user-accounts anew * Not too much educational software (that might be your second biggest problem - support is your biggest...
In addition, some other issues faced: * Many programs don't run in 640x480 proper and some teachers insist on it... on the 14" to 15" monitors * Some of the programs being used are gnumeric (sometimes buggy and limited-functionality), abiword (teachers are okay with that but now complain about missing tables), xpaint (ugly, but nothing better's available... couldn't get gpaint running yet), opera (ad-version), xwc ("llllighter than bloody Nautilus"). They still need to keep Mozilla (for helpfiles, etc) and Nautilus as it's backend for Gnome). Eager to replace it with gmc; suggestions for how to do so would be appreciated, as Nautilus is too slow for the machines being used.
Mail software was still be searched for (something not heavy on resources). "The only time the (school) teachers have to use the console is to mount... will try to integrate supermount, which doesn't seem to be too easy and use the scripts we built," says Tom.
In Goa, Arvind Yadav arvind@opspl.com customized RedHat 7.2, to create a CD that would allow for easy install on the school computers. There are about 15-20 volunteers to support some 20 schools. But something more is needed, suggests Tom. Much depends on the teachers and their attitude.
Says he: "If you want to spread linux widely in schools (and want the teachers to really use the systems and not leave them getting dusted) you have to teach them proper (not only linux BUT WHY linux) . Here we told the schools: we can give you six slower systems where six kids can learn at the same time or we could have given you one new fast system where you can have linux (we paid 40$ for each system -- shipped and packed from the US to Goa -- all non profit organisations involved)."
"Perhaps somebody should open a website www.reasons_for_linux_in_schools.org :-)," says Tom.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ **********************NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS***************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CDC LINUX, CSIR SIGN PACT: This report appeared in the BusinessLine commercial daily dated April 17, 2002 - the Bangalore-based CDC Linux has been signed on by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop portable software for bio-informatics on the GNU/Linux platform and the establishment of high performance supercomputing infrastrucutre for research organisations in bio-informatics, according to the company.
The company will be an industry partner, under the CSIR's New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative. As part of the project, CDC-Linux will be collaborating with the Centre for Biochemical Technology on the development of software applications in the area of comparative genomics and proteomics.
The products developed by CBT and fine-tuned by CDC Linux include the Genedecoder, a gene prediction tool, the Proteome Calculator, a comparative protein sequence analyser, and the See-Path, an intelligent protein classifer, according to CDC Linux. These products would be available for the international market, according to a press release. ENDS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHAT'S NEW -- ASIA'S FIRST LINUX CD-ROM MAGAZINE: Linux Magazine on CD has just been announced by IQ Techmedia Pvt Ltd. The monthly CD-ROM magazine will focus on GNU/Linux, Free Software and the Open Source world. It is scheduled to be available as a five CD starter-kit on the stands "across the country" from June 16, 2002. The retail price of the kit is Rs 1500. DeveloperIQ will provide a CD-ROM of all updates and upgrades of more than 70 popular products in Open Source every month, for one year. That means 17 CDs in a year plus a bonus CD, almost 10 GB of researched content in a year. For the equivalent of US$30 (within India). Also round-the-clock six-days-a-week email support from Deep Root Linux Private Ltd.
The starter-kit will contain RedHat 7.2 (2 CDs), applications (Openoffice 1.0, Galeon 1.2.1, KDE 3.0, Mozilla Internet suite 1.0rc2, Netscape 6.2.1, Acrobat reader 4.05, Gimp 1.2.3, Ximian Gnome 1.4, Kmail 1.0.29.2, gqmpeg 0.12.0, Etherape 0.8.2, Kyahoo 0.7, Image viewer 0.1.9, Qcad 1.4.7, Blender 2.12, Cross Artist 1.1, sfront 0.70 and more... a number of development tools, and an entertainment CD with over two dozen programmes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For GNU/Linux and BSD CDs check out http://www.linuxcampus.net This note came to us courtesy Prakash Adnani ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WROX... ROCKS?: Shivanand Nadkarni shivanandn@wrox.com informs that Wrox India has set up a full-fledged editorial office in Mumbai. "Wrox India will emphasize on open source technologies. Till now Wrox India has produced books on PostgreSQL, MySQL and PHP4," says he. Great news...
Wrox is also very much interested in Indian talent pool. They are trying to seek as many Indian authors and reviewers. Recently, they were on a look out for technical reviewers for Apache 2.0.
Contact details Shivanand Nadkarni Technical Editor, Wrox Press Ltd http://www.wrox.com or http://www.p2p.wrox.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEWS FROM THE UNDP IN KUALA LUMPUR: Shahid Akhtar shahid@apdip.net of the Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme, a programme of the United National Development Programme, says APDIP is thinking seriously about organizing some kind of a consultation on open source/linux.
Says Akhtar, who's headquartered in Kuala Lumpur: "We want to see how we can further this cause in the region. What would you say are the most important questions and issues that are require discussion? Who are some of the key players (institutions and individuals)in this arena in the region? What are some of the things that can be done at a practical level to get the open source research and development moving in the region? Who can do this best? Are there any present seminal studies, reports, efforts in the region that should be taken into account before one develops a plan of action in this area? Are there any other bodies out there who might wish to partner with APDIP-UNDP in this area?" Anyone with suggestions, please contact Akhtar. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OPEN SOFTWARE: "Open Standards and Open Software in South Africa", discussion paper. In January, South Africa's National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) published a discussion document called "Open Standards and Open Software in South Africa: A Critical Issue for Addressing the Digital Divide". It "discusses the nature and impact of Open Software and recommendations for South Africa to take full advantage of this rapidly growing phenomenon in IT." The document is licensed Open Content, and there is a space on the NACI web site for public comment. http://www.naci.org.za [in English] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OPEN PUBLICATION LICENCES, A NEW LICENSE: A new public license -- the Open Publication License -- promises to bring the power of the open-source software movement to video, audio, and text while still preserving authors' rights to profit from the calluses of their creative hands. http://www.wired.com/news/news/politics/story/20276.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GNU/LINUX... IN THE TRIBUNE OF CHANDIGARH: One recent article on GNU/Linux in the Third World, carried in Chandigarh's The Tribune: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020603/login/main1.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SHROFF GETS THE BOOKS ACROSS: From Mumbai Vikas Kasalkar (91 22) 763 4290, 768 9126 - ext. 120/121 or e-mail at kasalkar@shroffpublishers.com announces popular GNU/Linux books that are released.
Some of the books he listed recently included Bill McCarty's 'A Guide to Red Hat Linux for New Users' Rs 450; Building Linux Clusters Rs 350; Linux Device Drivers Rs 375; Linux in a Nutshell 3/e Rs 300; Linux Network Adminstrator's Guide Rs 350; Running Linux Rs 500; and Understanding the Linux Kernel Rs 450. These books are between 376 pages to 824 pages thick. Some come with CDs. Good value for money, at affordable Indian prices, it seems! Details from spdorders@shroffpublishers.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THIS FORUM FOR GNU ISSUES: Please check http://forum.gnu.org.in which is a forum to discuss GNU issues. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LINUX ON IDGNET: Journalist John Ribeiro ribeiro@vsnl.com has put out an interesting article recently, linked to GNU/Linux and India. Check http://www.idgnet.com/ic_829012_4394_1-3921.html Ribeiro is based in Ashok Nagar, Bangalore. P; 91-80-5533341 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LINUX DOC PROJECT TURNS 10 THIS YEAR: From: Sayamindu Dasgupta unmadindu@Softhome.net spares a thought to remember that the Linux Documentation Project turns 10 this year. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
YOU CAN POST YOUR GNU/LINUX ARTICLES HERE: Please visit http://opennews.indianissues.org. Our dream is to make this a modest site reporting on GNULinux issues in India.
For posting GNU/Linux information in this e-zine, contact fred@bytesforall.org and send the details in plain-text format.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * FOOTNOTE: Frederick Noronha <fred at bytesforall dot org> is a Goa-based freelance journalist, who writes on IT-for-development and GNU/Linux themes regularly. He is currently working on a print-media fellowship from www.sarai.net to study the Indian contribution to GNU/Linux and is cofounder of BytesForAll <www.bytesforall.org>. Parag Mehta <pm at linuxindia dot org> is webmaster for Linux India, listadmin for Ilug-bom, Country Manager of India for Linux Counters. Visit his personal site at: http://pmehta.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Frederick Noronha