[Indic-computing-users] Indic-Computing Regional Language Group Framework: Feedback requested

[Vijay P. S. A. <vi...@ek...>]

Hi Guys!

Apologies for this long delay in getting back to you on the next step 
from the Indic-Computing's National Indic-Font workshop, March 2003, 
where we had decided to form regional groups for each language. It was 
also decided to form a guideline/framework under which all groups work. 
Such a framework is suggested here, derived from discussions with 
several people offline and as per the Handbook.

The framework (below) follows the Context/Introduction in which it is 
suggested, it is a earnest request from all to please provide feedback 
on the framework soonest so that we can send it to all regional groups 
already formed and waiting to take up these issues within there forums. 
Please suggest/critic/correct any of what is mentioned as under, there 
is enough scope for it :-) . All key resource persons of each language 
group please note.

regards

vijay

-- 

Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya
ekgaon technologies
email: vi...@ek...
website: http://www.ekgaon.com


Framework for Indic Regional Language Groups:
-------------------------------------------------------

At the First National Indic-Font Workshop, March 2003, we decided to 
take up Regional Language workshops with the idea to give focused 
attention to each language and develop regional groups, which would 
bring together community interested to develop that language. During the 
first Indic-Computing workshop it was thought that subsequently these 
regional groups would form themselves into Regional Language Consortia 
and would take up various issues through consultations, training 
programs, technology demonstration and workshops at the regional level. 
These Regional groups would take initiative and involve other regional 
partners and build common understanding on major issues to be discussed 
in the Regional Language Workshops. Unresolved issues from these 
regional consultations would be dealt in National Level Consultations to 
be held twice each year. The Indic-Computing Consortium would provide 
necessary technical and capacity-building support to the Regional 
Consortia's and would provide representation at International bodies and 
Standards organizations for all languages.

We invite volunteers (Individuals & Organisations) who would take upon 
to build the Regional Groups and hold these consultations & workshops by 
providing coordination & logistics support. Interested people can write 
to any of our active mailing lists.

A framework for the Regional Groups is suggested so that each group can 
work towards developing common platform and resources and try to save on 
making similar mistakes, by sharing each others experiences. The 
proposed framework is as under:

Regional Group:
------------------

Introduction:
---------------

Indic language computing What ? Why ?
Vision for Indic-computing

Status Report/White Paper on Regional Language:
---------------------------------------------------------

* Historical genesis of the language
* Influence of other language on the language, how & how much
* Cultural aspects & literature (poetry, Songs, Religion, Literature, 
books Tablets etc)
* Dictionaries available and the most accepted one
* Development of language across various media, Radio, Print, 
Television, Computer
* Threat Perception to the language
* Dialects & scripts (if used more then one)


Regional language on Computers, core issues for action:
-----------------------------------------------------------------

1) Scripts and Writing Systems

2) Standards

3) Fonts, Open Type, True Type, Metafonts etc
a) Fonts available (Free fonts)
b) Open Type technology
c) Glyph design and Hinting (Typographical issues)
d) Developing OTF font tables with pfaedit
e) OTF rendering mechanism, pango/ICU as example

4) Character Encodings & options & standards

5) Input Methods
a) Keyboards
b) Other methodologies (such as Tap a Tap)

6) Locale Information

7) Text Processing

8) Typography and Display

9) Printing & Publishing
a) Gnome printing
b) Tex Printing

10) OCR

11) Translation/Transliteration

12) Text to Speech, Voice Recognition and other technologies
a) Voice Corpora
b) Softwares
o Vachak
o Festival
o Dhvani

13) Linguistic: Issues and problems
a) Library
b) Corpus
c) Dictionaries

14) Localisation: Approaches & efforts for GNU/Linux
a) GNU/Linux localisation initiative
o IndLinux
b) Office
o Open Office
c) Browsers
o Mozilla
o Internet Explorer
o Netscape
o Opera