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Domain: kerala.gov.in

Stories and comments across the archive that link to kerala.gov.in.

Comments · 3

  1. Cost savings bullshit from a fool... by bayankaran · · Score: 4, Informative · on Indian State Saves $45 Million As Schools Switch To Open Source Software (factordaily.com)

    They are talking about savings based on money they don't have.

    The linked report says the assessment is based on Rs 150K ($2200) per machine cost for using proprietary stuff. No government in India will spend that sort of money on software licenses, forget about the spent on educational sector. This is imaginary stuff.

    Here's the annual budget for the state of Kerala - https://kerala.gov.in/documents/10180/3793571/Revised%20Budget%202016-17_3 Go to page 4, and you can see a section for "Office Expenses" (which should include hardware, software, chairs, hammocks, water coolers, desks, fans and whatever else) for the whole state, including Department of Education - its Rs 220 CR, less than the claimed cost savings.

    Its like claiming "I saved $100 million when I decided not to purchase an Airbus."

    I am from Kerala. I have heard about the chappie mentioned in the report...a self aggrandizing fool.

  2. Handhelds don't really cut it... by Gopal.V · · Score: 1 · on Linux Handhelds in African Schools

    There is really no way a wireless, battery powered handheld is cheaper than a desktop PC of the same capability (or even double the capability). This is really not a solution for the Third World.

    Look at similar efforts going on in other parts of the world like IT@School in Kerala. They are expermenting with LTSP servers and thin clients - where small local firms have support contracts. (Hell !!.. they even sell GNU/Hurd cds). Also all the textbooks are available on PDF as well.

    Pumping money into the third world will not solve its problems , neither will hitech handhelds. It's about awareness - a trickle down approach of feeding information. With the right political support (there's a government change soon for Kerala), it might actually work.

  3. First wave of software patents by Gopal.V · · Score: 4, Informative · on India Quietly Introduces Software Patents
    Patent office of India has a section in Patent Law (rev 1998), which states
    1.3.8 Computer Programs
    1. Computer program is not patentable invention as computer program is
    a set of instructions for controlling a sequence of operations of a dataprocessing
    system. It closely resembles a mathematical method .It
    may be expressed in various forms eg. A series of verbal statements, a
    flow chart, an algorithm, or other coded form and may be presented in
    a format suitable for direct entry into a particular computer, or may
    require transcription into a different format (or computer “language”). It
    may merely be written on paper or recorded on some machine-readable medium such as magnetic tape or disc or optically scanned
    record, or it may be permanently recorded in a control store forming
    part of a computer. Thus it is evident that a program may be presented
    in terms of either software or firmware.
    With such a clear law stating about firmware, how can patents be applicable to embedded systems ?. The normal programmer need not fear yet. But this is just the first wave.
    An invention consists of hardware along with software or computer
    program in order to perform the function of the hardware ,such
    invention may be considered Patentable
    Maybe this is the clause they are exploiting ?.

    I'm mailing my ministers immediately !!... If you are an Indian, do the same immediately.