If anyone would like a copy of Issue#1, please send in a request with LINXUININDIA as your subjectline. FN

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CopyLeft2002 * ISSUE02 * JULY 2002 * CIRCULATE FREELY UNDER GNU/GPL LICENCE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Co-edited by Frederick Noronha and Parag Mehta <pm at linuxindia dot org> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In this issue * Technical updates from India * GNU/Linux in schools * Local language solutions * Linking up with the outside world * Focus on Indian LUGs * People in/behind the news

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ******************TECHNICAL UPDATES FROM INDIA**************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sayamindu Dasgupta unmadindu@Softhome.net recently (May 22, 2002) announced the launch of the unofficial PCTel softmodem-Linux Compatibility Database. It's aimed at all owners of PCTel-chipset based modems. http://pctelcompdb.sourceforge.net/ Audience: All owners of PCTel chipset based modems. Dasgupta explains: "The PCTel Modem-Linux Compatibilty Database is an effort to collect and categorise information regarding PCTel softmodems' compatibility in Linux. PCTel provides (unofficially) proprietary Linux drivers for their modems. However, some of the PCTel softmodems still refuse to work with Linux, and moreover, to use the drivers, one has to know the chipset present in one's modem. "The project is designed in such a manner that users will be able to add their modem information (chipset, working status, distributions tested, drivers tested, etc) in a database, which, in turn can be viewed and searched by users whose modems are still not functioning." All owners of PCTel modems are requested to visit the project site at http://pctelcompdb.sourceforge.net/index.php and submit their modem information. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shiv Nair snair@webintellisys.com announces the launch of a new version (1.14) of the Intellisys Project Management Software. Says he: "Intellisys Project Desktop is designed for those who want an un-complicated and effective project management tool. The goal of Intellisys is to provide this project management software as an affordable and viable solution which meets the needs of users, across platforms. It runs on Unix and Linux too (besides Windows and Mac). For more information: http://www.webintellisys.com/project/desktop.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

'Penguin, Baby' is being our promised as a reliable, feature-rich, fast, scalable and low-cost Linux communication server, for the small and medium enterprises (SME). It was built keeping in mind the specific requirements of the SME segment (under 25 PCs). It consists of two important components for a company's electronic commerce needs -- a mail server (to send, receive, manage you@your_company.com e-mail ids) and a proxy server (to allow one Internet connection to be shared by all the office PCs). Other solutions available. Contact 50, Hira Mahal, 250 Kalbadevi Rd , Mumbai 400 002. India. http://www.ramshyam.com Phone +91.22. 207 8946, 209 5986 Email: business@ramshyam.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Says Sunil Abraham: "Mithi is a (Pune-based) commercial organization but they have told me that they are keen on building IL tools for Linux. They are supporting us in building a Python based XML RPC bridge to Zope application server. This bridge will be open source so that other Python developers can use Mithi's products if they wish. On a separate note we are part of the GNU indic-computing project on source-forge.net were are specifically looking at create a cross platform solution. We will be starting with java.awt.im input method framework and the Ekit applet [www.hexidec.com/ekit.php]. But nothing to report so far. We are getting some volunteers on this via TechEmpower.net." Thanks for keeping us informed, Sunil! Sunil Abraham of the Bangalore NGO MAHITI (not to be confused with the Karnataka government's policy also carrying the same name) is working out of 314/1, 7th Cross, Domlur Bangalore - 560 071 Karnataka, INDIA Ph/Fax: +91 80 5352003. Pager: 9624 279519 sunil@mahiti.org http://www.mahiti.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

dhvani - TTS system for indian languages by Ozakil Azim dhvani - A Text-to-Speech System for Indian Languages developed by the Simputer Trust developers and others.Current - C/Linux implementation, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil Support. Soon - better phonetic engine, Java port, language independent framework... http://sourceforge.net/projects/dhvani/ oazim at users.sourceforge.net ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

linc is not cyberoam by MRNk: linc is a free multiplatform client for Cyberoam and 24online. Cyberoam is an employee Internet management system used by corporate networks. 24online is a subscriber management system for broadband ISPs. http://linc.sf.net mayur@freeshell.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

G. Dijendranath dnath@vsnl.com wrote in sometime in May 2002 to say that they represent Turbolinux in India and are planning to launch this versions of GNU/Linux "in a big way". **++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kaash by Tarjei Mikkelsen A data collection package for health care-workers in rural India. A version of this software is currently being used in a Media Lab Asia pilot study outside Delhi. http://sourceforge.net/projects/kaash/ tarjeim at users.sourceforge.net

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ******************GNU/LINUX IN SCHOOLS IN INDIA*************************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Raju Mathur raju@kandalaya.org of http://kandalaya.org/ recently announced about work to take GNU/Linux to schools around Delhi. Some points discussed at a meeting held on May 25, 2002 at Sarai included: * Marketing Strategy * Schools to be targeted * Action Points * Packages to be put on installation CD Post Installation * Support Cost You can get in touch with some of the key members of this network (and those who have been around at the early meetings) via leo@indialink.org (Leo Fernandez) raju@linux-delhi.org (Raj Mathur) tripta@sarai.net (Tripta) supreet@linux-delhi.net (Supreet) gami@linux-delhi.net (Dhruv Gami) khanna_s@vsnl.com (Prateek Khanna) ashkaul77@yahoo.com (Ashwani Kaul) anurag_varma@indiatimes.com (Anurag Varma) aey2bee@yahoo.co.in (Anjali Bashista)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ******************LOCAL LANGUAGE SOLUTIONS FOR INDIA********************** ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++