FSUG-Bangalore October 2009

fsug-bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in

16 participants
15 discussions

[X-post] FSMK Newsletter Volume 5
by Vikram Vincent 27 Oct '09

27 Oct '09

Dear Friends, FSMK releasing its fifth consecutive news letter. URL:- http://fsmk.org/Newsletter_October_2009 We are glad to receive your comments whether it is a criticism or praise.. Write to us and distribute this edition to as much of your contacts as possible. We welcome you to have your name on one of the articles in the forthcoming editions. Thanks and Regards, FSMK EB Team.

1 0

Unable to configure Reliance Netconnect on Ubuntu
by Raghu 25 Oct '09

25 Oct '09

Hi all, I'm having problems trying to configure a Reliance Netconnect (MG880, CDMA data modem) on Ubuntu 8.10. When I try to connect using GNOME PPP, the error I get is "Can not open modem" The log says - --> Ignoring malformed input line: ";Do NOT edit this file by hand!" --> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60 --> Cannot open /dev/ttyUSB0: No such file or directory --> Cannot open /dev/ttyUSB0: No such file or directory --> Cannot open /dev/ttyUSB0: No such file or directory Can anyone help? Thanks in advance, Raghu

5 4

Knoppix... at six
by Frederick Noronha [फ़रेदरिक नोरो नया] فريدريك نورونيا 20 Oct '09

20 Oct '09

SEE VIDEO HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovA3haaDmO4 Knoppix, or KNOPPIX (pronounced /kəˈnɒpɪks/, kə-NOP-iks[2]), is an operating system based on Debian designed to be run directly from a CD / DVD, one of the first of its kind for any operating system. Knoppix was developed by GNU/Linux consultant Klaus Knopper. When starting a program it is loaded from the optical disc and decompressed into a RAM drive. The decompression is transparent and on-the-fly. Although Knoppix is primarily designed to be used as a Live CD, it can also be installed on a hard disk like a typical operating system. Computers that support booting from USB devices can load Knoppix from a live USB flash drive or memory card. Animesh Nerurkar of Goa, India demos Knoppix 6 from his home at Miramar. Oct 20, 2009. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knoppix -- FN +91-9822122436 P +91-832-2409490 Updated: http://goabooks.wordpress.com FSUG-Goa http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fsug-goa/join

1 0

Fwd: fsmk and the current school program
by Vikram Vincent 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Combining FSMK's opinion from two mails and forwarding FYI. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Senthil Sundaram Date: 2009/10/14 Subject: fsmk and the current school program Dear All, Had a discussion with Guru . Writing to the group stating what we believe in . We might have got something wrong and open to correcting the same. This also gives us a chance to explain what a movement means . -s 1) We always make group decisions, I am communicating to him on behalf of the group. 2) We dream to be a movement. 3) We cannot loose the right of being critical of the government - especially when its having such a confused policy on implementation of FOSS. It for Change has done so and put up a paper. 4) FSMK, our current focus is colleges and a movement from there [ and skills as well] 5) We would like to continue dialogue and are very thankful for Guru and others talking to us - however as and when there is scope for a teachers movement in FOSS - that would be close to our hearts - Guru explained that the current situation is a starting point . 6) dreaming to be a movement we cannot be a implementing agency of a confused policy [ guru said look at this as influencing the government]. We understand the tricky ground IT for Change others are working and are thankful for the same. 8) i also explained FSMK is a part time group and volunteer based and the limitations thereof. --------------- next steps: 1) FSMK will be out of the MoU with the government - as we don't want to take money - and work in the spirit of a movement - as a group trying to be a movement we don't want to take money and let that drive us - A MOVEMENT is about certain IDEAS - OUR IDEAS WILL DRIVE US - We will reserve the right to CRITICIZE the GOVT - FOR not implementing the RIGHT IDEAS. Money small or big is important as we are accountable. Many a time it corrupts good activists and movements. There are many paper orgns which exist for their own interests or individual interests - for example many created out of the Tsunami money in TN . Dreaming to be a budding movement( don't know if we really are!)that's not good for us. Whenever we take money we need to have the infrastructure to make sure its accountable - I am sure all NGOs engaging in the current space will be doing so. However fsmk doesn't have the resoruces to do so and hence chooses to be voluntary.Lets hack. As soon as we are ready we will join. 2) Guru explained about nice and open officers in the government - I said we don't see such officers immediately - though we are open to working with anybody who is open - REQUESTED FSMK folks to be part of discussions with SUCH OPEN OFFICERS - so that we can have a change of PERCEPTION - if reality is so. 3) Guru said he would like to interact with us on the role of government and put forth his points - on the positive aspects of GOVT OFFICERS - and the chances for building a FOSS movement in that space. I said we can arrange a discussion - for FSMK - or for everybody in Bangalore. 4) In spirit we will be part of the program on a best effort basis and this will not be our main focus given our current skills and focus area, which is building GLUGS in colleges . We will not be part of the MoU. We will be volunteers. We would like to be part of the current group ( not part of an official consoritum/mou given our skills, prioritites). We like movements and we can partner more effectively in a movement space. We understand that in the current scenario that's evolving. Hence the core or support distinction can only be made as we evolve and depending on what we evolve into. Its suits us best to be voluntary and we will eat all the food that's given in the trainings and not spend from our pockets;), don't worry. 5) We understand the importance of NGOs/civil society working/lobbying with government to implement Foss and educate the officers. However we are clearly aware of the 50:50 policy position of the current government and the resulting lack lustre implementation of Foss in schools [BOOT] and we strongly believe in the role movements can play in changing as they did world over, even in FOSS. 6) However we don't mind joining our friends in Foss and nothing gives us more happiness than such solidarity - without compromising on what is close to our heart. Once again thanks for all the support and patience and lets continue the discussion if any of you feel we missed something.

1 0

seminar on augmented reality applications using free softwares at R.V.College of Engineering on 16th Oct 2009
by renuka prasad 15 Oct '09

15 Oct '09

Hi all Happy to inform you all that R.V.College of Engineering is hosting a seminar on augmented reality applications using free softwares in association with FSUG-Bangalore and CEMA between 1-4 pm this is arranged for the students of R.V.C.E, still if some one is interested to attend please call mail me and can also call me ( 9901945674 ) --- SOrry for being late in informing Venue : Department of M.C.A in R.V.College of Engineering Timings : between 1--4 pm Date : Friday 16th October 3009 with regards renuka prasad

1 0

(no subject)
by suhas 631pms 15 Oct '09

15 Oct '09

1 0

infosys thinks contributing to open source is an innovative work - but!!
by renuka prasad 13 Oct '09

13 Oct '09

"We won't have as much work for all our employees right now, so we're encouraging them to contribute to projects on open source and do more innovative work," actual story is here Infy offers NGO stint to staff at half pay, read more in the following link http://profit.ndtv.com/2009/03/24191435/Infosys-offers-employees-optio.html

1 0

An Appeal: Flood Relief Fund
by Vikram Vincent 12 Oct '09

12 Oct '09

Free Software Movement - Karnataka An Appeal: Flood Relief Fund Dear friends, Karnataka has been reeling under floods of an unprecedented nature leading to large-scale death and destruction. This is a situation which was unforeseen and many districts of North Karnataka are totally submerged and lakhs of people are marooned without food or relief. About 15 districts have been submerged and more than 6 lakhs people have become homeless. Estimated damages are to the tune of Rs. 25,000 crore. The Government machinery is doing its bit, but the sheer magnitude of the calamity makes it almost impossible for it to be handled by the Government alone. There is no assessment of the actual loss of lives and property as many areas are still inaccessible. The threat of epidemics is also something that looms large in such circumstances. It becomes the duty of all patriotic citizens to rise to the occasion and assist in such relief efforts. Free Software Movement-Karnataka is organizing collection of relief for the flood victims in an effort to provide succour to the suffering. A Relief Team will leave to North Karnataka in the Third week of October and along with the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti disburse relief in the affected areas. We request you to contribute generously in this endeavor so that we can share their suffering and mitigate it to some extent. Our volunteers will be approaching you individually for your contributions and also seek your support to meet concerned officials in your establishment to make it a meaningful effort. Any such donations through DD/cheque, in the name of 'Free Software Movement Karnataka' may please be sent to us. FSMK issues receipts for the same. In anticipation of your support and cooperation, Thanking You, Sd/- Senthil, Convenor, FSM-Karnataka. M:9900262828, 9448810822, 9448163453 http://fsmk.org

1 0

Fwd: Petition to Cancel Proprietary Tender by NIC given to CJI and DG NIC
by Vikram Vincent 06 Oct '09

06 Oct '09

--------- Forwarded message ---------- From: kiranchandra <kiran(a)swecha.net> Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 8:35 PM Subject: Petition to Cancel Proprietary Tender by NIC given to CJI and DG NIC For Publication Eminent personalities including Justice V R Krisha Iyer (former Supreme court judge) and Dr. Pushpa M Bhargava (former Vice Chairman National Knowledge Commission) have called upon the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to cancel its tender (Ref. No: NIC/TPS/2009/18) form purchase of laptops with preloaded software for the Supreme Court of India. They were part of those who have signed an online petition, which was launched on 24-09-09, opposing this proprietary tender. Justice V R Krisha Iyer in his comment termed this tender reactionary and has pleaded with the Prime Minister to intervene in the name of access to Freedom of Information and Free and Open Source Software. Sixteen organisations (http://www.swecha.org/wiki/index.php?title=Petition) and 370 individuals (http://swecha.org/node/23/signatures) have signed the petition. The petition has also been sent to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Shri K G Balakrishnan and the Direcetor General of NIC Dr. B K Gairola. There is confirmation from the respective offices that the petition has been received. The tender relates to purchase of proprietary brands of laptops (Apple laptops) and the software installed (Windows XP) in it. Any fair tendering practice should allow competition and only give system specifications. In this tender, the only brand name given is Apple and only operating system given is Windows XP from Microsoft. This makes the tender a single source tender and is clearly anti-competitive since there is wide choice of hardware, software and operating systems in the market. Therefore, this is not a single vendor situation and no exception should be considered on this count. Moreover, the above mentioned tender is for laptops to be used by the Supreme Court of India. As the supreme judicial body of the country, the Court must set a proper precedent and not allow such unfair tendering practice. The tender also goes against stated government policy of encouraging free and open source softeware, and open standards. The National Knowledge Commission in its report on e-governance submitted to the Prime Minister stated, “Because of the enormous size and scope of the E-governance effort in India and because of the availability of globally recognized software talent of Indians,we must actively encourage open source software implementations and open standards wherever possible.” The Department of Information Technology, in its Elevent Five Year Plan (2007-2012) has remarked that, “If computer adoption has to reach from current 1% of population to say 5% in next five years, we have to seriously pursue some other route, viz., that of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS).” The current tender’s preference for proprietary suppliers will encourage vendor lock-in as their data and files can be read by only their software. Such a step by the Supreme Court would set the clock back in the country, where increasingly Government organisations and others are turning to Free and Open Source Software. In this context, it might be noted that Allahabad High Court has already successfully converted to FOSS and Open Standards (http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/faq.htm) Institutions like NIC under the Ministry of Information and Technology have to ensure the adoption of software that complies with open standards. It was therefore demanded that the current tender should be scrapped forthwith and a new tendering process be initiated without naming any brands and incorporating Free and Open Source Software. Organisations & Important Persons endorsing the petition (Web link : http://www.swecha.org/wiki/index.php?title=Petition ) * Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer's comments "The present move by NIC is reactionary. I feel there is much substance in the points made in the petition and plead with the Prime Minister to intervene in the name of access to Freedom of Information and Free and Open Source Software". * Former Vice Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission Pushpa M Bhargava's comments "I am all in for free and open source software" * Swecha (http://swecha.org/) * Democratic Alliance for Knowledge Freedom (DAKF) * Appropriate Technology Promotion Society (ATPS), Kochi (http://www.atps.in/) * Free Software Industries Association (FSIA), Kerala (http://www.fsia.in/) * Open Software Solutions Industrial Co-operative Society (OSSICS), Kochi (http://www.ossics.com/) * Free Software Foundation, Tamil Nadu (FSFTN) * IT for Change, Bangalore * Knowledge Commons, New Delhi * Free Software Movement Karnataka (http://fsmk.org/) * Linux User Group @ IIT Delhi (http://www.lug-iitd.org/) * Centre for Internet and Society (http://www.cis-india.org/) * Free Software Foundation of India (http://www.gnu.org.in/) * IIT Madras Linux Users Group (http://iitmlug.a.wiki-site.com/) * Linux Campus Club SJCE Mysore (http://www.lccsjce.org/) * [Free Software Movement West Bengal] * Linux Users' Group, NITK Surathkal Yours Sincerely Y.Kiran Chandra Chairman (Swecha) (On behalf of the endorsing individuals and organisations)

1 0

Red Hat addresses Supreme Court on software patents !
by Hemanth H.M 05 Oct '09

05 Oct '09

Came through this article, felt like sharing it with all : http://is.gd/3YwCO -- 'I am what I am because of who we all are' http://www.h3manth.com -- Hemanth HM

2 1

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

FSUG-Bangalore October 2009