[Indic-computing-users] Re: Fwd: Re: [FSF-WG] FLOSS for windows - any progress?

[FN <fr...@by...>]

It's great that someone is starting somewhere! Over the past year, I've
found Sarai to be useful partners to work with when it came to
promoting/supporting Free Software. 

Incidentally, Niranjan sent me a set of 10 CDs (varied distros, including
GNUWin). I went through GNUWin and was absolutely amazed by the range of
software in that collection. Also, it does not overlook the 'ethical' and
'philosophical' side of Free Software, in favour of the technical
advantages.

IMHO, I think someone would be doing India  a *great* favour if they could
translate GNUWin into *any* Indian language. But who would that *someone*
be? Of course, this is apart from Ravikant's ideas, which could also be
gone ahead with if Sarai sees potential for it.

But translating GNUWin (even if only into Hindi or Hindi/Tamil for a
start) would be a great initiative. Wonder if someone from the
IndicComputing network could also help? There's a fair bit of translating
work to be done there. FN

On Fri, 14 Feb 2003, ravikant wrote:


> 
> Dear Niranjan,
> 
> Sarai will be happy to take up the project, independent of funding, etc. We 
> feel we have the infrastructure and the network to make and distribute 5, 000 
> cds to vendors and users, primarily in and around Delhi, but other areas as 
> well. This does not exclude the possibilty of any other group or individual 
> taking up the project and applying for the funding. The cds will be given out 
> free in both senses of the term.
> 
> What we may need is some voluntary contributions from translators in a couple 
> of South Indian langauges, say Tamil and Kannada. We have the resources to 
> translate manuals, etc. in hindi and Bangla. Alternatively, Sarai takes up 
> the distribution responsibilities for the north and somebody else, say FSF, 
> for the South? 
> 
> I agree with niranjan that we need to move as swiftly as we can.  We are 
> looking to a deadline in April to complete the selection of packages, burning 
> cds and translating manuals. 
> 
> Feedbacks, suggestions and and voluntary contributions are welcome. 
> 
> cheers
> ravikant
> www.sarai.net
> 
> 
> > >> Now what is the next step. Who will be the Manager for this effort
> > >>  ? (Some one should take the responsibility of followup with other
> > >>  or the effort will start dying).
> >
> > I hope by this time you have had someone to take care of or manage this
> > project. If not then we can safely forget about it, but if yes then a
> > faster and more vigorous activity is needed.
> >
> > I have actually talked to some possible donors, who are quite positive
> > to the idea, and could possibly contribute between and 1-2 lakh Rupees.
> >
> > So if this project is to be seen as promoting FLOSS as well as FSF, then
> > act fast.
> >
> > Since I am in Helsinki, and see my part of the deal as basically getting
> > some funding for you guys, please do not wait for my responses and go
> > ahead with whatever organizational method you have to realise this project.
> >
> > As said earlier, If you would like to pursue this, do make a preliminary
> > budget and a plan of action, describing in detail who will do what, and
> > how much will be spent on what. Once I have that paper, I will come back
> > with comments to make any changes if necessary and talk to the donors.
> >
> > FN wrote:
> > > Going a little off-track, could such support be sought also/instead
> > > for Prof Nagarajuna's long awaiting FLOSS-for-engineering-students
> > > distro? (This is a distro of useful FLOSS tools to be widely
> > > replicated and shared among engineering students in South Asia. You
> > > could imagine the impact this could have on the shaping of the
> > > thinking of a future generation). FN
> >
> > The donors can also be convinced about this
> > FLOSS-for-engineering-students project, if it is presented properly.
> >
> > However I would still think the first one is an easy start, and if you
> > manage to make enough money with it, you can then invest that money
> > further on the new project. If this project is successful, I could even
> > think of involving you guys (of course against a reasonable payment) in
> > a similar project which we are considering here in Finland.
> >
> > Just a note: here in Scandinavia, people are usually very thorough about
> > projects. If you do make a proposal, you have to try to think of all
> > possible questions and answer those *before someone asks for an answer*.
> > So make no presumptions, and clarify everything on paper.
> >
> > regards and good luck
> >
> > niranjan
> >
> > ###########################################
> > This message has been scanned by F-Secure Anti-Virus for Internet Mail.
> > For more information, connect to http://www.F-Secure.com/
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------
> 

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