Dear Mr Umashankar C:

Thanks for your note, and here's my response.

Firstly, may I point out that I'm a supporter of the Free Software model; and wouldn't like to push the Open Source label just primarily because it appears more business friendly. Freedom (of the software writer and user) is an important issue, and this should reflect in the labels we use, IMHO.

Secondly, your concern is valid. There's much scope for work in this field. But, for this task to be accomplished, we need to involve a whole lot of others, and hence involving a couple of evangelists like Atul and me alone would be grossly insufficient.

As a first step, I'll circulate your note so that others in the debate (FSF-India, LIG, PubSoft, GKD, BytesForAll) get to know of these concerns.

Thirdly, instead of reinventing the wheel, we do need to keep track of the initiatives underway at the international and national levels. In this sphere, a lot of work can -- and should -- be shared.

We need to check up about the plans from Latin America (I think) to promote a distro for government officials.

Let's see how we can take this ahead. Thanks for raising the issues. FN

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Message: 4 Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 05:06:46 -0700 (PDT) From: Umashankar C umashankarc@yahoo.com Subject: A suggestion on open source SW development for e-gov (To Frederick Noronha and Atul)

30-8-03

SUGGESTION TO HOST E-GOVERNANCE APPLICATIONS FREE USING SPONSORSHIP ASSISTANCE

Dear Frederik and Atul, I have a suggestion. I want the two of you to respond.

The proposal is that a team consisting of people like you and the members of this group develop and place the e-gov packages on the web for State and Central Government and their organisations to download and use.

They will be able to modify the code and improve it as well.

I have the full system design for automating a Taluk office, DRDA, Police Station, Office Management, National Old Age Pension Scheme and Block Development Office.

These packages can be converted into open source from the present VB and can be a open source for the entire country.

We can find corporate and other sponsors for various activities such as cost of coding personnel, hardware, hosting etc. The sponsorship should be for three years (at least). I am willing to offer the entire service free on a continuous basis.

People like you can scrutinse the design/code and contribute on regular basis.

Will it work?

I need your suggestions.

Regards.

Umashankar

C.Umashankar IAS., Commissioner, Disciplinary Proceedings, Salem, TN, India. (with effect from 5th Aug.2001) Contact Tel in Chennai: 91-44-22521909 Res. Reliance Mobile:044- 31047424 BSNL Mob: 94432-62009

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