FSUG-Bangalore April 2006

fsug-bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in

15 participants
24 discussions

[OT]on this weekend: Fims on Naramada struggle
by Anivar Aravind 20 Apr '06

20 Apr '06

Join Us For A Screening Of A Documentary Film On Narmada struggle!.. Time: 6 PM. Documentary Title: A Valley Refuses To Die. Date: 21st April, 2006. Length: 41 minutes. Venue: SCM House, Director: K.P.Sasi. No 29, 2nd cross, CSI Compound Mission Road, Bangalore 560 027 (Opp. Vintage Hotel). WATER is a natural resource on which politics and the market economy have joined hands. In such a context profit and development is put before the life of citizens. The basic rights of Adivasis and farmers living around the Narmada Valley are put at risk by the constant raising of the SSP dam height and poor rehabilitation works. The Narmada Bachao Andolan, one of the longest running people's movement in India, began its stern vigil again with the move to raise the dam height from 110.64 mtrs to 121.92 mtrs. Families submerged at the 110.64mtrs are yet to be rehabilitated. On 17th April, the Supreme Court order which while holding that the construction of the Narmada Dam could go ahead, warned that it would stop the work on raising its height if the state Governments (i.e. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh) did not carry out adequate and effective relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people. Following this, Medha and two other activists of the NBA ended their 20 day fast in Delhi, while Gujarat CM Narendra Modi also ended his 51-hr mock hunger-strike in Ahmedabad. The film "A Valley Refuses to Die" is one of the earliest documentaries against large dams in India. It has been used extensively in India and abroad to generate support for the Narmada Movement. The film centres on the social and environmental issues caused by the Narmada Dams and subsequent people's movement of the Adivasis and farmers in the Narmada Valley. It portrays vividly the scale of destruction which is subjected to wide debate at national and international level. As we move into a critical juncture in the Indian history, we need to question the present development model and seek alternatives. Through the viewing of this film and discussions afterwards, it is our hope that solidarity with the Narmada Movement may be revived, sustained and propelled to new heights. We believe water is a sacred gift of life. It must not be commodified for private profit. It must remain in public hands. We express disapproval of water privatization. In the construction of large dams like the SSP, a section of the Indian population is displaced without rehabilitation. We also express solidarity with the Narmada Bachao Andolan. We advocate that water should remain a common good. This will ensure respect to human rights. A democratic community control over public water system will guarantee free and fair access to clean water. Join us! Be Motivated! Looking forward to your challenging participation, - SCMI- NESA Ms. Biaki (SCMI) Ph: 2222371 ================== In solidarity with the resistance in the Narmada valley pedestrian pictures in association with the Narmada Solidarity Forum, Bangalore invites you to An evening of film screenings and discussions 22 April 2006, Saturday 5.30 pm onwards SCM Hall, Bangalore (Student Christian Movement of India, CSI Compound, Mission Road (behind Unity Buildings), Bangalore) The films include: - Medha's speech on breaking her fast on 17 April 2006, New Delhi - In just land, tandora and pedestrian pictures presentation (18 mins | 2006 | English / Hindi (subtitled)) - Words on Water, directed by Sanjay Kak (85 mins | 2002 | English / Hindi (subtitled)) - Drowned Out, directed by Franny Armstrong (75 mins | 2002 | English / Hindi / Gujarati (subtitled)) The recent protests by the NBA have yet again highlighted the callousness with which the Indian State treats adivasis and marginalized farmers. Despite Medha Patkar's, Jamsingh Nargave's and Bhagwatibehen's 20 day hunger strike, a damning Group of Ministers' report, the Government of India and the Supreme Court refused to issue stay orders to continue with the dam construction. As we wait for the May 1 hearing in the Supreme Court, it is time to reflect on the 20-year resistance offered by the Narmada Bachao Andolan and from a larger perspective, the politics of water in today's market economy. Join us. For further information, call pedestrian pics at 94483 71389, 99860 31428, 98868 00642 or ALF at 22356845

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Interview Peter Brown, the executive director of the Free Software Foundation
by प्रव ीण् ए (Praveen A) 19 Apr '06

19 Apr '06

Bringing free software to the masses Ingrid Marson <mailroomuk(a)zdnet.com> ZDNet UK April 13, 2006, 13:15 BST Peter Brown, the executive director of the Free Software Foundation, hopes to 'get the message of free software outside the hacker world You'd think it would be easy to research the right-hand man of a free software icon, given the mass of information about the free software movement on the Internet. But a search for "Peter Brown" — the executive director of the Free Software Foundation — and "free software" produces only 14,000 hits on Google and little information about his past. So when we visited the Foundation's headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts it was a surprise to discover a clean-cut, suited English man from Oxford, who was quite so different from FSF founder Richard Stallman with his impressive beard and baggy clothes. Their backgrounds are also totally different. While Stallman is a programmer, having almost single-handedly developed the original version of applications such as Emacs and the GNU C Compiler, Brown has a background in business and finance, and only dabbled with coding when he was in his teens. But despite these differences, the two men share the same goal — in basic terms freedom around software, but more specifically to give people the freedom to run software for any purpose, to study and adapt that software, passing on the improvements to the public and to freely redistribute copies of the software. Both men are responsible for the overall direction of the Free Software Foundation and seem to offer complementary skills, with Brown coming across as more of a pragmatist than Stallman, whose idealism and drive to fulfil his goals has led him to spend his life telling people across the world about free software. ZDNet UK met with Brown last week to learn more about some of the Foundation's upcoming projects, how the FSF is run and funded, and what he feels makes the organisation so special. Read the full interview http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,39020463,39263218,00.htm Photos: Inside the Free Software Foundation http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39263220-1,00.htm -- "Value your freedom, or you will lose it, teaches history. `Don't bother us with politics', respond those who don't want to learn." -- Richard Stallman Me scribbles at http://www.pravi.co.nr

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FC5...
by Niranjan HV 19 Apr '06

19 Apr '06

Hi This is Niranjan.. i am mailing from bangalore... i am searching for FC5 Cd/DVD... does anyone has it... if anyone has it can i share that copy or have a duplicate copy of that... i stay near nandini layout... if anyone has it and wants to share it please message me off the list.. will be looking forward for the reply... Cheers... niri

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Free Software and Open Source
by प्रव ीण् ए (Praveen A) 18 Apr '06

18 Apr '06

Hi, Nagarjun replies to a long thread in ilug Mumbai about Free Software and Open Source Clarifies a lot of doubts. See the thread here http://mm.glug-bom.org/pipermail/linuxers/Week-of-Mon-20060417/025404.html Regards Praveen _____________________________ This is a reply to the entire thread so far, so not quoting any of them. I wish to clarify the difference by example, between OSS and <free> (swatantra/mukta/ajadi) software. Take 'Pine', an email client, releases source code, you can modify the sources, but can't distribute the changes you make according to pine license. Such a software is open source according to OSI. So, opening is not enough, we need the freedom to distribute the changes we make. Similarly 'scilab', a scientific application, is open source but not a <free> software. Therefore, all <free> software is open source, but not vice versa. So, free software is a proper subset of open source software. However, the number of open source applications that are not free software is very very tiny. So, it is also correct to say MOST open source applications are free software. Count the number of applications, not the number of licenses, to get the correct inclusion relation between them. If, OSI excludes those few applications that do not give the freedom to distribute the changes, then all <free> software is open source and vice versa. FSF should not change its stand is very clear, if you see how carefully the <free> software is defined. OSI's definition is left vague. May be business thrives by being vague. Let us ask OSI to modify their license listing policy. The use of the term 'open source' by the OSI may have created a nice term for the tongue, but at the cost of freedom. But, as I told you MOST open source applications do give you the freedom anyway. Still, it is surprising that OSI advocates seldom talk of the values like freedom. They continue to fetch contracts from govt and companies by arguing that oss is economical. Remember, they said they wanted to eliminate precisely this problem when they chose 'open' in place of 'free'. Did they succeed in clarifying? Certainly not. Open source adherents talk of total cost of ownership, while <free> software people say freedom is always expensive for we need to protect it constantly. That is why I always end my speach with: "Run for freedom even if it is expensive!" In order to sustain freedom we need to constantly work against the tendencies that try to take away our freedom. Metaphorically, a system must do work to maintain its stability, other wise the system will tend to a state of higher entropy. <Free> software community is an open system, like a living organism, takes feed from the environment and sustains itself by working against non-free software and those who promote them. I agree with the interpretation that <free> software is a social, cultural movement with wider implications to the future of human society. open source movement, if at all it is, emphasizes technology and a development model. I have no disagreements with their development model. If only OSI mends their licensing list policy, the differences between <free> and open source community will become thinner, if not disappear. -- "Value your freedom, or you will lose it, teaches history. `Don't bother us with politics', respond those who don't want to learn." -- Richard Stallman Me scribbles at http://www.pravi.co.nr

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Re: [fsug-bangalore] Indian Languages on Web
by harsha reddy 14 Apr '06

14 Apr '06

Hi All http://www.php.net/~derick/meeting-notes.html#unicode PHP as of now does not have support to unicode. from php 6 onwards it is, they are planning to shift from zend engine to parrot engine(the one used by PERL 6) from that point onwards PHP will be unicode enabled :) > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rakesh 'arky' Ambati" <rakesh_ambati(a)yahoo.com> > To: "fsug-bangalore(a)lists.deeproot.co.in" <fsug-bangalore(a)lists.deeproot.co.in> > Subject: [fsug-bangalore] Indian Languages on Web > Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 11:14:09 -0700 (PDT) > > > Hi Friends, > > Here is a very basic question about delivering content > in Unicode on web. Though I don't read and write > telugu I would like to deliver content using > PHP/MySQL. > > Any pointers on how to deliver regional languages > through a web browsers would be a great help. > > > Cheers > > --arky > PS: Please kindly refrain from mentioning any non-free > software or standards. > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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 > Archives: http://bangalore.gnu.org.in/cgi-bin/ezmlm-browse?list=fsug-bangalore > -- _______________________________________________ Check out the latest SMS services @ http://www.linuxmail.org This allows you to send and receive SMS through your mailbox. Powered by Outblaze

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Tool for inputting in Indian Langauges on the Web
by Raghavan Kandala 11 Apr '06

11 Apr '06

Hi all, I am Raghavan, working on developing tools for Indian Language Input & Analysis ! In this regard, we (surekha & myself) have come up with a firefox extension for typing in Indian Languages on the web! Do check out the extension at http://indicime.mozdev.org and/or at https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1575/ and give us your feedback/suggestion on the same ! thanks, Raghavan.

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Indian Languages on Web
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 11 Apr '06

11 Apr '06

Hi Friends, Here is a very basic question about delivering content in Unicode on web. Though I don't read and write telugu I would like to deliver content using PHP/MySQL. Any pointers on how to deliver regional languages through a web browsers would be a great help. Cheers --arky PS: Please kindly refrain from mentioning any non-free software or standards.

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Fwd: paradigms of knowing
by Anivar Aravind 10 Apr '06

10 Apr '06

Dear Friends Checkout these interesting links http://www.paradigmsofknowing.org/ http://www.kumbham.in/ It is the experiments/explorations & thoughts of Jinan, an architect based on Nilambur, Kerala Anivar

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[The_Hindu/IPR-History]Intellectual Property? Right!
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 09 Apr '06

09 Apr '06

Morning, In case you missed reading the article. Cheers --arky Date:09/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2006/04/09/stories/2006040900150200.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1]Magazine MILESTONES Intellectual property? Right! T.V. MALAVIKA The first Intellectual Property Rights legislation was enacted in India 150 years ago. A look at the progress since then. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although the concept of intellectual property was very old, there appeared the need to harmonise laws to facilitate international trade and the free flow of technology. This became necessary because it was difficult to obtain sufficient protection in other countries of the world, in view of the disparity in the laws in each country. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Early bird: George Alfred DePenning made the first application for a patent in India. EVER since India joined the World Trade Organisation in 1995 and became a signatory to the agreement on trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPS), much has been said about intellectual property, trademarks, patents, how much more expensive medicines are going to become, western exploitation of Indian traditional practices and so on, thereby leading the casual observer to imagine that this whole Intellectual Property Rights issue is a relatively recent one. However, less well known is the fact that the Government of India has offered citizens of the country the opportunity to protect their intellectual property for exactly 150 years: the first IPR legislation was enacted in British India in 1856. Even if the Government of India is being reticent about celebrating the achievement of this extraordinary milestone, DePenning and DePenning, a Chennai-based firm of IPR Attorneys whose history runs a close parallel with that of the IPR industry in the country and whose founder was granted the first ever patent in the country, is not (see box). As per the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) definition, intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images and designs used in commerce. Broadly, intellectual property is divided into two categories. The first category covers industrial property, which includes patents, industrial designs and trademarks., all of which have industrial applications. The other refers to copyright laws, which are applied to such things as literary, dramatic and artistic works; rights relating to performing artists, the production of phonograms and rights of broadcasters in their radio and television programs. The history of the development of international patent reforms makes fascinating reading. Although the concept of intellectual property was very old, there appeared the need to harmonise laws to facilitate international trade and the free flow of technology. This became necessary because it was difficult to obtain sufficient protection in other countries of the world, in view of the disparity in the laws in each country. International impact A prime example of this occurred, when the Empires of Austria and Hungary invited several countries to participate in an international exhibition of inventions held in Vienna in 1873. Many countries refused to display their inventions in view of inadequate legal protection. This incident had a far-reaching impact; the Congress of Vienna for patent reforms was convened in 1873, following which an international congress on industrial property was convened in Paris in 1878. A final draft proposing an "International" union of laws was prepared by France and sent to other countries with an invitation to attend the international conference in Paris in 1880. `The Paris Convention' as it was called concluded in 1883. Since then, the Convention has been subject to several revisions. In 1967 in Stockholm, the last revision was made to the Paris Convention by which an international organisation was formed to administer and promote intellectual property on an international level -- the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The main principles of the Paris Convention state that nationals, of any country, which is a signatory to the convention, will enjoy the same treatment (with respect to "industrial property" laws) in other countries, as if they were and nationals of the respective countries. The Paris convention did not include the term "intellectual property" but only "industrial property". This necessitated an international Convention to curb rampant piracy in the area of literary and artistic works. The Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works was adopted in the year 1886 with an objective to facilitate uniformity in the level of protection granted in all the member countries. The Convention has since then gone through several revisions to adapt to the practical changes in the field of copyright law. The development of the IPR legislation in our country has been in parallel with the international scenario. The Act relating to Patent Rights introduced in 1856 granted exclusive privileges to the inventor of new methods of manufacturing for a period of 14 years. This Act was amended on the lines of the British Patent Law (1852) and re-enacted in 1859. The monopoly granted to the inventor was known as "exclusive privileges". Subsequently, several changes to the law in this field were introduced through various enactments, which paved the way to the Indian Patents and Designs Act 1911. The realisation that the laws were not designed to motivate or protect Indian inventors led to the enactment of the more progressive Indian Patents Act of 1970. Eventually following the TRIPS agreement, Indian Parliament passed the Patents (Amendment) Act of 2005. Similarly, the Indian Merchandise Act of 1889 that awarded exclusive rights to individuals and businesses to use their `recognised brands' and enforce their rights against other traders has, through a series of stages metamorphosed over the years into the currently active Trademarks Act of 1999. Currently the other pieces of legislation that govern IPR in the country are -- The Copyrights Act, 1957, The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and the Protection) Act, 1999 and The Designs Act, 2000. Since most nations have their own IPR laws, the inventor who wanted to protect his invention worldwide had to go through the cumbersome procedure of applying for patents in every country where protection was sought. This led to delays, greater expense and piquant situations until, in 1978 eighteen nations got together to sign the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) which has now been adopted by over 108 nations the world over. India became a signatory state to the Treaty on December 7, 1998. The PCT is extremely facilitatory in nature and today inventors need to go through an initial rigorous examination process of their inventions only in the Patent Office they first apply to (the international phase of the application). Following this they go through a less rigorous and more rapid screening process in each of the countries they seek protection of their patents in (the national phase of the application). Despite the first application for a patent in India having been made as early as 1856 by George Alfred DePenning (see box) and the laws of the land in connection with IPR having been designed to encourage original inventiveness, it is a pity that Indian industry and academia have not yet risen to the challenge. Current scene In 2005, according to statistics put out by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, among the developing countries, Korea topped the list filing twice as many applications under the PCT as its nearest competitor China. India made third place with just a quarter of the number of applications that China made. Also, of the applications made for patents in China in a year, approximately, half are made by local inventors, whereas, in India this figure would be less than 30 per cent. We can certainly do better than this and hopefully in the years to come, this gap will be comfortably bridged. A punkah pulling machine ON February 28, 1856, the Government of India promulgated legislation to grant what was then termed as "exclusive privileges for the encouragement of inventions of new manufactures". On March 3, 1856, a civil engineer, George Alfred DePenning of 7, Grant's Lane, Calcutta petitioned the Government of India for grant of exclusive privileges for his invention -- "An Efficient Punkah Pulling Machine". On September 2DePenning, submitted the Specifications for his invention along with drawings to illustrate its working. These were accepted and the invention was granted the first ever Intellectual Property protection in India. DePenning, submitted petitions for two more inventions that same year -- No. 2 and No. 4 of 1856 under the Act and in the years to follow several patents were granted by the Calcutta Patent Office to this prodigious inventor. Having secured his place in Indian history, George Alfred DePenning could well have rested. But he did not. The entrepreneur in him saw other inventors struggling with the process involved in patenting new inventions and he saw the possibility of representing them as a Patent Agent. And so in 1856, the firm of DePenning & DePenning was born. Today, exactly 150 years on, not only does the firm continue to exist, but has grown to become one of the largest attorney firms devoted exclusively to the protection of Intellectual Property Rights with an impressive list of clients from many parts of the world. The firm has always had a member of the DePenning family at the helm. Started initially in Calcutta, the firm relocated its headquarters to Chennai in 1987 and today has branches in Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. The firm celebrates the 150th year of its existence with a series of events that started on March 3, 2006 and will culminate in September 2006. The writer is a Chennai-based Intellectual Property Rights Attorney. © Copyright 2000 - 2006 The Hindu References Visible links 1. http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2006/04/09/index.htm

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Scouting for the next event location
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 07 Apr '06

07 Apr '06

Hi, Chubby rolly-polly Boy Scout extraordinary Arky is looking for suitable location for conducting the next Gnu(s) Grazing or a interesting talk in college for this sunday (8 th April) and the next one (15 April). So, those who are interested in helping our decorated boy scout can shout out. You will received a honorary scout badge and cookies from girl guide brigade. Cheers --arky

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FSUG-Bangalore April 2006