On Tuesday 12 April 2011 17:32:30 Pravin Dhayfule wrote: > FYI. > > As per the Request from Guru, I have forwarded my suggestions. But > if the Biggies from here who have contacts in MHRD can please > follow up. > > It seems that they are asking for Windows (as it states Virus > Scanner, etc.) > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Pravin Dhayfule <[email protected]> > Date: Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 5:20 PM > Subject: [Feedback] Draft of National Policy on ICT in Education > To: [email protected], [email protected], > [email protected] > > > Honorable Panel, > > I am not an educationalist, just an IT Deployment SME from India.
Why are you apologetic. You have every right to demand. It's YOUR money they plan on squandering. > I > came across http://education.nic.in/secedu/sec_school.asp while > browsing through India.gov.in and came across this note > "Comments/Suggestions and feedback are invited from educationist , > experts and institutions [email protected], > [email protected] & [email protected] latest by 15th > April 2011" > > Just out of curiosity I browsed through the document and came > across these points: > > 1. Section 5.3.1 reads "Graphics and animation, desktop publishing, > web designing, > databases, and programming tools have the potential of increasing > the range of skills and > conceptual knowledge of the students and teachers. A judicious mix > of software will be > introduced in schools to keep Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to the > minimum." The aim of an ICT policy is not merely to keep TCO low (not deploying such stuff would then seem perfect, having no TCO at all.) but to ensure seamless skill development in all aspects of computing and software, including local content creation and modification. Consequently, the ability of FOSS software to be studied in depth, modified and improved, allows a user to gain far more skill and knowledge than a closed software. Further it must be stressed that software is a continuosly moving target, with newer and better features, techniques and principles being introduced on a continuos basis. Closed source software are very niggardly in releasing newer features and invariably charge substantial money for new product versions, primarily by not upgrading older products. Thus even if closed software were offered free of cost, it imposes several penalties on the user. One such direct penalty is that when the user, trained in a closed tool, wants to install and use it on his machine / for his business, he has to pay hughe amounts for the said software. FOSS software imposes no such penalty. On the contrary FOSS, thru it's copyleft philosophy encourages everyone to copy, and use, including commercially, by way of selling the software itself and by using it in every commercial scenario. While considering TCO costs, one should factor in the inability of students, faculty and institutions to use closed software, without complex license book keeping, including visits by Inspectors to check licensing. One wonders since when did the education department officials become collection agents for software companies. > > Here does the TCO imply to the Software Licenses Cost? If so then I > would suggest the following tools which are well known Free Open > Source Applications: > a. GIMP - Alternative to Photoshop for graphics > b. Inkscape - Alternative to Corel Draw and Illustrator > c. Scribus - Alternative to Pagemaker and Microsoft Publisher > used in Desktop Publishing > > This will help schools save lots of money else spent Software > licenses. > > 2. Section 8.3.3 reads "NIOS has also implemented the On-Demand > Examination System (ODES) where by learners can appear in the > examination as and when they are ready for it. This system will be > strengthened and extended to its State counter parts for the > benefit of learners from the non-formal sector." > > Guess Its Moodle the Free Learming Management System > > > 3. Section 9.2 reads "A nation wide network will be established in > which schools, teachers, students, school managers, and the > community at large participate. This implementation will include > the School Management Information Systems (School MIS); digital > repositories of tools, content and resources; professional > development and continuing education platforms; and guidance, > counselling and other student support services." > > Here the Free and open source available web based tools are Fedena > or OpenSIS which are cross platform and comply with the W3c and > Open standards > > > 4. Section 10.2.3 reads "Technology choice reviews will include > standards and norms for computer configuration, input and output > devices like scanners, printers and projectors, operating systems > and system software applications including virus scans, > productivity applications and educational software, power > conditioning equipment, and other digital equipment like camera and > audio recorders." > > Some where I have read that Indian Government already has developed > an Operating System called as BOSS (Bharat Operating System) which > is secured and Virus free. When our country has its own Operating > System that too virus free, the Virus Scanner cost shall > automatically be cut off. Basically BOSS is based on Linux. Another > well known similar operating system is Ubuntu. Both Boss and Ubuntu > are created from Debian. > > I didn't get chance to explore much of the document. But these were > the points that I wanted to suggest so that the issues like Virus > attack, hacking etc. get completely eradicated from the root. Its > like Preventon is better than Cure. > > Anyways these are just my suggestions as an Indian who wants to > play a role in betterment and development of India. Rest decisions > any ways lies with you. > > Regards > Pravin Balaji Dhayfule -- Rgds JTD _______________________________________________ network mailing list [email protected] http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in
