FSUG-Bangalore August 2005

fsug-bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in

18 participants
43 discussions

Re: hi arky
by Rakesh 'Arky' Ambati 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

Morning List, I had posted to some Yahoo Groups calling for students and Colleges who are interested in FLOSS come up and join us into doing some events. Here is one response from BMSCE College UG student Nirmal.I think we have one college to do a event.Does anyone else has any more contacts? --arky On Wed, 2005-08-03 at 17:18 +0100, Nirmal Thacker wrote: > hi, > > I'm an udergraduate student at BMSCE doing by computer > science. i ll be starting my 5th semester from sept 1. > > > i started using GNU linux 2 years back and needless to > say i am hooked! yes, im very passionate about open > source and i would like to help, not to mention > welcoming you guys to our college for your seminar. > > is there any way i could volunteer more? i ve been > looking for such groups in bangalore. > > let me know more details! > > you could mail me at an alternate address too: > nirmalthacker(a)gmail.com > my cell no: 9880281847 > > regards, > Nirmal Thacker > > > > ___________________________________________________________ > How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday > snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com -- arky Rakesh 'arky' Ambati GPG Key ID: 0x92BCF7D4 Blog [ http://arky.in ] Member FSUG-Bangalore [ http://bangalore.gnu.org.in ] Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html

2 1

Hi! This is Jhinuk
by Jhinuk Cchowdhury 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

Hi! This is Jhinuk. I am a journalist working for this magazine 'Linux For You' (LFY). My stint with FOSS goes back to 2003. That was when I came fresh out of the university and was desperately looking for a job. LFY had an opening, I applied. They called me for an English test and an interview. I appeared. They liked me and extended an offer. I accepted the offer, with full consciousness that I didn't have even the vaguest clue as to what on earth was 'LINUX'. And knowing fully well that this word has never ever appeared on any of those history and journalism books that I studied. My first story was on Open Source and the Indian Government. My first question was 'Does the Government know what is it?' Rahul Chopra, my editor, said, "Excellent, let this be the focus of your story." Well, actually, undercover, my statement was 'What do I know about this OSS and what the Government is doing!' :)) Well, I could afford such a reaction, as back then I had colleagues like Abhishek and Mayank to fall back on :) Thanks to them it's they who formed that foundation of whatever FOSS I know today. Then came people/mentors like Fredrick Noronha, KG Ramesh Kumar, who told me that there is a world out there which believes knowledge ought to be free and open for all to view, for everyone to add onto it and shape it according to one's need. Back at school I always hated my tuition teacher when she asked me not to share my notes with other students in my class because they haven't taken up tuitions with her. 'Free and Open Source Software', the only term that I don't like here is 'software'. Somehow this word limits a very mighty philosophy, to mean just a technology. Whereas, this is a way of life for me and for hundreds of millions out there. My friend Arky said the intro should be more than just 'Hi! I am Jhinuk'. And now that I started, there are so many words that's got jumbled in my mind. Meagre media coverage of FOSS, women in FOSS, FOSS for non techies like me, FOSS beyond software....Phew. But guess I should stop trying your patience and end this 'supposed' introduction here! "You see things and ask why, I dream of things as never before and ask why not" :) GB Shaw

4 12

Re: Re: [Fsf-friends] Participation by FSF-India in LB-05
by Kanti Jadia 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

hi, On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 Nagarjuna G. wrote : >Kanti Jadia wrote: > >>Hi Friends, >> >>Just sent an email to lb mailing list to get the status on participation by FSF-India this year. >> >>The name of the event is not yet known ( maybe in a couple of days ). >>This is the right time to align the movements in India >> >>Let me know your thoughts >> >> >Kanti, > >The only reason why we are not there is because the people in banagalore are not doing it. please organize among yourselves with fsf-bangalore and now you are quite a few motivated hackers, so you can get a stall at least going. I think the organizers will provide a free stall, if not we can pay for it. I would say we anyway have to spend on things like, stickers, posters, handouts, and make some money by selling CDs and t shirts. Maybe selling CDs may not be feasable. We can probably collect donations on behalf of FSF-India and give the goodies as gratis.Any previous experience here would help. Remember LB( the new name ) would have more than a couple of thousands. >But, FSF India wouldn't want to sponser an essentially open source event, but would want to be there spreading free software ideas around taking the benifit of the people who come there. I do not think it remains as an open source event anymore. What i hear is something to make it a premier FOSS event in India. > >Nagarjuna > Maybe a direct talk with the organizers would clear up the matter. Regards Kanti ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html -----------------------------------------

1 0

Re: Re: [fsug-bangalore] Participation by FSF-India in LB-05
by Kanti Jadia 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Hi, > >A couple of TODOs towards this: > >1. Identify what we all want to achieve through a representation at LB. >This will ensure that our activities are very closely aligned with the >sort of results we want to see.Would > >2. Identify a list of activities that need to be undertaken (selling GNU >CDs / manuals / posters / t-shirts, clearing doubts about GNU / FSF, >getting attention to FSF / FSF-I projects and initiatives, get focus on >free software-related campaigns that need support etc.) and at least two >people (from our FSUG and elsewhere) who would be responsible for >carrying them. > >3. List out the resources we need to have at the stall. Computers, >posters, CDs, blank CDs and ISOs, demos (GNU/Linux and GNU/Hurd). > >I listed out the stuff above so that we can start to disagree about what >we need to do at the stall! :) That way we'll reach a clear decision on >it sooner. > The following could be done at the stall/booth 1. Spread awareness about the Free Software Foundation ,India. 2. Distribute FSF Goodies stickers, posters, handouts, and T-shirts as gratis on donation.Some posters could be charged.We should not be selling something though. We should be dropping CD's from the list as it would not be feasable. No writer etc. as well. 3. Collect donations on behalf of FSF-India. 4. Put up a GNU/Hurd box on demo. ( i do not have my hands on hurd yet ) 5. Get official GNU manuals and books. I know of only one book published in India.The cost of bringing the other books would be high i suppose.(40$ - 1800 Rs for GNU C library). Any alternatives.Or maybe this one also goes. ....open ended for other people to add ........ >I volunteer to take care of ensuring that we have at least two computers >there. We can also arrange for a CD writer and maybe some blank CDs as >well. > Gr8 to have the initial part done. >I can think of a few more activities we can carry out: > >1. Setup a FSUG technical team and promote it as the nodal point in >Bangalore to take care of any GNU/Linux related technical questions and >support. > >2. Come up with a small directory (printed) of GNu/Linux consultants, >vendors and service providers. Some are listed on FSF-I website - others >can sign up a few weeks before the event. The printing costs can be >borne by some of the people who're listed in the directory. > >(In fact, can we extend this to include contact information for Free >Software developers who are ready to work a few hours a week on >contract? That way anyone who needs to develop / fix Free Software knows >whom to contact!) > >3. Any ideas of talks that can be presented by one of us? On what >topics? > On the list of sessions we need to get 1. A session on the recent patents bill and the related events 2. A session on the FSF activities in India, in the past as well as present.The open item here should be getting people onto active projects ( same as mentioned by you ) >Any thing else? The ball is already rolling, now... As plans evolve and take shape. Maybe a GNU Grazing session would get people on the table. > >Cheers, >Abhas. >-- >Abhas Abhinav <abhas(a)deeproot.co.in> >i-take-charge at DeepRoot Linux >http://www.deeproot.co.in / +91 (80) 5112 4781 - 85 >Getting gnu/Linux to work for you. Faster. Better. Today. Every way. > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, e-mail: fsug-bangalore-unsubscribe(a)lists.deeproot.co.in >For additional commands, e-mail: fsug-bangalore-help(a)lists.deeproot.co.in > ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html -----------------------------------------

1 0

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: [fsug-bangalore] Participation by FSF-India in LB-05
by Kanti Jadia 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Hi All, Now is the time to get your voice/words into it. On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 Rakesh 'Arky' Ambati wrote : >On Tue, 2005-08-02 at 08:14 +0000, Kanti Jadia wrote: > > Hi Arky, > > > > if you happen to be on the lb mailing list > > (linux-bangalore-2005@yahoo ) you would get to pitch in too. > > >Honestly, I keep away from those lists like plaque. > Yep , thats true of a lot of people. But in the end this needs to be done. I would be more than happy if FSF-India gets a formal representation in the event ( maybe in terms of being a sponsor too ). >-- >arky > >Rakesh 'arky' Ambati >GPG Key ID: 0x92BCF7D4 >Blog [ http://arky.in ] >Member FSUG-Bangalore [ http://bangalore.gnu.org.in ] >Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. >See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html Kanti ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html -----------------------------------------

2 1

Re: Re: [fsug-bangalore] Participation by FSF-India in LB-05
by Kanti Jadia 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Hi Rakesh, FSF-India can as a non-profit can participate in this event. This is my understanding , correct me if am wrong. As per last years update from Nagarjuna , we can set a booth atleast to give out FSF Goodies/Intro letters etc. If the organizers are willing to give a booth for our volunteers (am one of them) , nothing like it. Let me know the details of the other events , Am more than willing to help Regards Kanti On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 Rakesh 'Arky' Ambati wrote : >Hi Kanti, > >On Mon, 2005-08-01 at 19:14 +0000, Kanti Jadia wrote: > > Hi Friends, > > > > Just sent an email to lb mailing list to get the status on > > participation by FSF-India this year. > > >FSF-I registered body and its activities __do not__ comprise of >FSUG-Bangalore.Perhaps what you meant was Free Community. > >Personally am not much interested LB, never been there and don't think I >will.If you read the other threads in last two days you will find we are >planning some other events ourself.Please help if you can. > >Cheers > >-- >arky > >Rakesh 'arky' Ambati >GPG Key ID: 0x92BCF7D4 >Blog [ http://arky.in ] >Member FSUG-Bangalore [ http://bangalore.gnu.org.in ] >Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. >See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html -----------------------------------------

3 2

Re: Re: Re: Re: [fsug-bangalore] Participation by FSF-India in LB-05
by Kanti Jadia 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Hi Arky, if you happen to be on the lb mailing list (linux-bangalore-2005@yahoo ) you would get to pitch in too. On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 Rakesh 'Arky' Ambati wrote : >On Mon, 2005-08-01 at 20:46 +0000, Kanti Jadia wrote: > > The Free as in Freedom booth > >LoL Kanti.You even got name for booth in LB.Do take some time out and >talk to the LB organisers or on their ML about this. Its already on the table > >As far as I know it cost a arm and leg to buy a both at LB.I doubt any >corporates would sponsor that.And it is highly unlikely that LB guys >would like to cut down the charge of the booth for Not-For-Profit >organisations. > Do not think this would be a really difficult thing to get too. I have never been to LB, so this would also be my first experience too. >Cheers > >-- >arky > >Rakesh 'arky' Ambati >GPG Key ID: 0x92BCF7D4 >Blog [ http://arky.in ] >Member FSUG-Bangalore [ http://bangalore.gnu.org.in ] >Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. >See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html Regards Kanti ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html -----------------------------------------

2 1

Sub 10K PC
by Rakesh 'Arky' Ambati 02 Aug '05

02 Aug '05

Morning Friends, From Morning News in The Hindu .... Maran unveils low-cost PC Special Correspondent The Linux-based personal computer will support a host of applications CHENNAI: A personal computer for Rs. 9,990 (plus taxes). That is HCL's "PC for India," unveiled here on Monday by the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dayanidhi Maran. The PC has a one GHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 40 GB hard disk, 15-inch digital colour monitor, 52X optical drive, keyboard and scroll mouse. The Linux-based PC will "support applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and web browsing, e-mail clients and audio video playback. It will come bundled with multi-lingual fonts such as Tamil. HCL's PC for India range is designed for each Indian who wants to harness the power of computing right from a first time home user in small towns to SOHO (Small Office Home Office) users, says a release. The PC was "good for a start" and "will encourage the first time buyer," said Mr. Maran and emphasised that it was a "low-cost PC and not a cheap one." `Landmark achievement' The HCL Chairman and CEO, Ajai Chowdhry, who said that the launch was a "landmark achievement for HCL," made it a point to differentiate the HCL's low-cost PC from others in the market: "Most of the existing low-cost PCs are either stripped down versions or made of poor quality or counterfeit components. HCL's PC for India for the first time will offer PC in the sub-10,000 price bracket without compromising on quality and functionality.The PC will be backed by HCL brand assurances built over its 30 years of operations in India." Mr. Chowdhry was of the opinion that it made business sense to introduce low-cost PCs. In January 2004, when HCL introduced the Rs. 14,990 PC, its market share was 3.7 per cent. In March 2005, this share rose to 15 per cent, he said and attributed the jump to the introduction of Rs. 14,990 PC, and later, the Rs. 12,990 PC. With the Rs. 9,990 PC too, HCL banked on volumes to rake in profits. Mr. Chowdhry was unwilling to hazard a guess, saying he was answerable to the shareholders.Mr. Maran said that as many as 15 million Indians owned a PC and there were five million Internet connections. By 2010, the number of Indians owning a PC had to be increased to 75 million and Internet penetration, up to 45 million during the same period. The IT department had taken up a pilot project in Chennai and Noida to train the visually handicapped to handle computers, he said. This project was aimed at making these people operate computers so that they could be employed in call centres. Nokia's operating centre Mr. Maran, who distributed free Rs. 9,990 PCs to a few students from his constituency, said that it was appropriate that the launch was happening in Chennai. He also said that Nokia was looking at India to set up its network operating centre, the hub that would monitor all its operations in the region. He said he was hopeful that the facility would be set up in Tamil Nadu. Open source centre Mr. Maran said initially Microsoft operating system was considered for the Rs. 9,990 PC. But since it was expensive, Linux was opted for. "We are going to start, by the end of this month or the beginning of next month, an open source centre for developing open source in Chennai," he said. The idea was that prices should come down and people should benefit. Changes to IT Act soon Answering questions, Mr. Maran said the committee under the chairmanship of the IT Secretary was finalising its recommendations on the changes to the IT Act. Asked when it would be ready, he said: "It's in a matter of weeks." Xenitis' offer Xenitis, a manufacturer of branded range of desktops and laptops, on Monday announced that it is offering a feature-packed personal computer at Rs. 9,790 with Intel CPU and motherboard. The company, which has been concentrating in the eastern part of the country, said that it was now "embarking on another milestone by offering Aamar, Aamchi, Aapna and Namma PCs at an unbelievable price range of Rs. 9,790. The range of PCs is being launched in association with Intel." http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/02/stories/2005080204541700.htm -- -- arky Rakesh 'arky' Ambati GPG Key ID: 0x92BCF7D4 Blog [ http://arky.in ] Member FSUG-Bangalore [ http://bangalore.gnu.org.in ] Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html

1 0

Re: Re: Re: [fsug-bangalore] Participation by FSF-India in LB-05
by Kanti Jadia 01 Aug '05

01 Aug '05

Arky, Sounds gr8. I have this same message on FSF-Friends as well. On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 Rakesh 'Arky' Ambati wrote : >On Mon, 2005-08-01 at 20:08 +0000, Kanti Jadia wrote: > > Hi Rakesh, >Please call me arky./ > > > FSF-India can as a non-profit can participate in this event. > > This is my understanding , correct me if am wrong. >Yes, it is. > > > As per last years update from Nagarjuna , we can set a booth atleast > > to give out FSF Goodies/Intro letters etc. > > >Kanti, if you can convince the organisers of LB to give FSF-I a free >booth, then there is nothing like it. The Free as in Freedom booth , atleast we would come to know ( most likely positive) the response and if somebody is willing to give it as help to us. > >Regarding FSF-I involvement you should talk to FSF-I board members like >Arun or its Chairman Dr.Nagaruna. > >Cheers >-- >arky > >Rakesh 'arky' Ambati >GPG Key ID: 0x92BCF7D4 >Blog [ http://arky.in ] >Member FSUG-Bangalore [ http://bangalore.gnu.org.in ] >Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. >See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html ----------------------------------------- Enjoy your Freedom,use GNU/Linux. http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html -----------------------------------------

2 1

suggestion for software freedom day
by Raj shekhar 01 Aug '05

01 Aug '05

Hello, I was talking to arky about what FSUG plans to do for the software freedom day. My suggestion is to have a "Linux Demo Day" in a college. Delhi LUG had organised such an event in September last year (plans are afoot to hold another one this year) in Jamia Hamdard University. We had a good response. While we had expected around 100 people to turn up, around 400 people came in. Most of the students had tried Linux and came up with very specific question on what they wanted to do - like share drive between Linux and windows or connect windows and Linux. We also had talks describing what is so different about Free Software. How people are using it and how it s not just "command line" anymore. There were demos and CD distribution (Delhi LUG earned a good amount selling CDs ). Can we have something similar in Bangalore ? Thanks -- Raj Shekhar Y!IM : lunatech3007 blog : http://rajshekhar.net/blog home : http://rajshekhar.net Disclaimer : http://rajshekhar.net/disclaimer

4 5

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

FSUG-Bangalore August 2005