Hi all, IT Mission Kerala is setting up a new organization called KSDI ( Kerala State Spatial Data Infrastructure ). They have put up a Request for Proposals (RFP) for selection of TSP for setting up of a Geoportal and Clearinghouse for the Kerala State Spatial Data Infrastructure (KSDI) in IT Mission website.
link: http://www.itmission.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=361:request- for-proposals-rfp-for-selection-of-tsp-for-setting-up-of-a-geoportal-and- clearinghouse-for-the- kerala-state-spatial-data-infrastructure-ksdi&catid=49:tender- notices&Itemid=44 The tender document available for download in the above link describes an infrastructure that could be completely supported by FOSS Components , but it calls for using proprietary solutions like IIS and Oracle. The state's IT Policy mandates the use of Free Software for government agencies and the tender document is a blatant violation. Some points from the tender document : * They want it to be on Windows - IIS is named specifically in one place. * DB Server specs says that it should support Oracle RAC and DB2cluster * DB Server specs also says that its OS should be unix, but the server must support SUSE and Redhat 5 as future options . * All the rest of their server specs specify that they must support WIndows, Redhat/Turbo/SuSe Enterprise servers , Novell Netware and VMWare * OEM software for management of physical and virtual servers must be included as standard. It should be able to integrate with enterprise management software like HP OpenView, Tivoli & CA Unicenter It is doubtful that there are people who can make use of all these (very costly) software properly. There is a discussion going on at Free Software Users Group Thiruvananthapuram's mailinglist on this: link : http://groups.google.com/group/ilug- tvm/browse_thread/thread/fb04abad88afb93f A comment from one of the FSUG-tvm list members : " The whole Geoportal and Spatial Data Infrastructure can set-up entirely on Swathanthra Software platform. It seems there is a mis-concept among its initiators that, a Data Infrastructure require support for whole sorts of software. Setting up a Geo-portal and SDI as described RFP is against the spirit of Kerala IT policy. The officials at ITMission need to be educated further even on Kerala IT policy and on Swathanthra Software. Then only we can properly check such intrusions of proprietary interests. " The Tender invitation page has a comments section where people can post opinions. The list members at FSUG-tvm has decided to do so. Since FOSSCOM is committed to work for the adoption and promotion of FOSS in Government policies, something can be done here. Regards, Ashik S ------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ network mailing list [email protected] http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in
