March 2009 - LIS-Forum - ncsi.iisc.ernet.in

Re: [LIS-Forum] OpenSource Debate
by Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Dear all A good logical and time befitting debate started at last. I'm completely agreed with Mr. Singh and would like to add a few point in that .... 1. Close source commercial LMSs are non-transparent in the use and application of standards, whereas FLOSS based LMSs are very clear in this direction (take the example of Koha, right from the 1999 it is trying to follow and implement all the global internationally agreed upon standards e.g. EDIFACT, NCIP, Z39.50 etc.); 2. Close source commercial LMSs are still not compliant with Web 2.0 tools, techniques and philosophy. FLOSS based LMSs are quite accommodative in this regard, for example, Koha 3 is RSS compliant (it produce RSS feed for every search query issued by users), supports Tag submission by users to describe a resource, users can post their comments on a particular resource available in the library. In short it follows participative architecture or user-at-the centre stage model. Unfortunately no other LMSs is presently web 2.0-enableb; 3. Koha (2.x and 3.x) is web-centric in architecture; 4. Fully compatible with Unicode 5.1 and thereby ensures storing, processing and retrieval of Indic script based resource (see www.granthalaya.org for a live demo); 5. Koha 3 supports information mashup - in fact we are noe able to snatch cover page images from Amazon without scanning pages or writing a single line of code (see the site of Department of LIS, University of Burdwan @ http://burdwan01.kwc.kohalibrary.com/ - search digital library or LIS related terms). Hope to see a brave open world Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay Department of Library and Information Science University of Burdwan, Burdwan, Rajbati - 713104, WB --------------------------------------------------- > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sukhdev Singh" <esukhdev(a)gmail.com> > To: "SatishDpnd@Adroit" <satish.dpnd(a)gmail.com> > Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] SOUL-NewGenLib-OpenSource Debate > Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:16:33 +0530 > > > Dear All, > > I don't think we should shy away from any debate. But unfortunately > LIS Community in India seems to be relatively shy of healthy debates. > > > If I am given a chance to implement a Library Automation System, I > would prefer a model in the following order: > > 1. Open Source Solution. For the freedom it provides in terms of > 'owning' the systems for long term use. I won't mind taking a paid > support service. > > 2. Free Software. For it won't burden my budgets and won't trouble me > with approvals of higher authorities. > > 3. Commercial Solution. I would be going for it if none is available > in Open Source domain. I will keep myself ready for migration to an > Open Source Solution. > > I still feel that efforts required for training and implementation > remains the same for all models of softwares. > > I would still like to hear more on KOHA Vs NewGenLib. I am impressed > with the Delhi Public Library's ( http://dpl.gov.in/ ) implementation > of KOHA, though I have no idea of inside story about it. I would like > to see NewGenLib's implementation available for public view. > > Thanks > > --Sukhdev Singh. > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 7:51 PM, SatishDpnd@Adroit > <satish.dpnd(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > In response to LIS-Forum Digest, Vol 72, Issue 13 : Message 2 and earlier > > discussions on the topic > > > > > > Dear LIS professionals > > > > The debate on NewGenLib v/s SOUL is simply not necessary because I feel both > > are meant for different segments of LIS market. SOUL was developed by > > INFLIBNET years back under the aegis of UGC to support academic Library > > community which at that time was unable to invest in proprietary LMS. The > > initial College edition of SOUL was costing merely Rs.15,000/- (until > > recently) when proprietary standalone LMS was costing Rs.1 lac. There are > > more than 1600 SOUL installations in India. Just think of them ! What > > should they do ? Get free-upgrade of SOUL 2.0 (with moderate costs of > > installation) or go for NewGenLib/Koha which is free and open source. SOUL > > 2.0 has added many more facilities to its previous version. It's web-based, > > many International Standards have been adopted and it is SIP2/NCIP > > compatible too. Now think of those smaller libraries which have only couple > > of staff, what should they do ? Use readily available upgraded LMS or > > switch over to free, open source NewGenLib or Koha - for which neither they > > have expertise nor time to devote. > > > > All of us those who are adopting Open Source software know very well that > > it needs substantial staff-time-investment - may it be for data migration, > > customising each function to suit to one's needs or even fixing small > > problem of default currency. Open Source LMS is only a powerful engine, but > > whether one can make a racing car out of it or not depends upon availability > > of the workshop facilities, latest tools and machinery, research staff to > > support and designing team to take care of its dynamics. Therefore I would > > not blindly support Open Source just because it is almost free compared to > > proprietary LMS - but would strongly advocate use of SOUL 2.0 by those who > > would like to concentrate more on user-services than breaking their heads in > > customising Open Source LMS. > > > > SOUL 2.0 is a step towards upgrading efficiency of LIS community as a whole > > at very negligible input costs. Those who feel the SOUL 2.0 rates are high > > should enquire for rates for proprietary LMS in the market, and also how > > much would it cost to customise Open Source with facilities which are > > offered by SOUL 2.0. > > > > I have yet not come across any fully operational Open Source LMS in any of > > the large Libraries in India. Many open source agencies claim that each and > > every module/facility can be customised, e.g. Template designs, RSS Feeds, > > Blogs, Federated Search, scheduled auto e-mail generators, Customised > > Reports, MIS stats, Online Reservation facility, built-in SIP2/NCIP, > > Video-streaming facility through web-OPAC, importing records from web > > catalogues, exporting records in variety of formats, remote log-ins, Serials > > Management etc., but when it comes to practical implementation, it takes > > months together to mould them to match needs of the organisation. > > > > Therefore I will never ever criticise indigenous LMS like SOUL. It is/was > > developed for specific cause/purpose and not for competing with proprietary > > LMS or to discourage use of Open Source LMS. We all should recommend it to > > all those who are short of resources and do not have time/expertise to > > customise freely available open-source. > > > > Would certainly welcome your views > > > > Happy LMSing ! > > > > satish deshpande > > formerly Head British Council Library Ahmedabad > > > > Mentor, Nirma University Libraries; Adviser, KM&IC, National Institute of > > Design, Ahmedabad > > M : 098250 30460 > > email : satish.dpnd(a)gmail.com > > > > > > > > > > In response to LIS-Forum Digest, Vol 72, Issue 13 : Message 2 > > > >> Message: 2 > >> Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 13:56:14 +0530 (IST) > >> From: "I.R.N.Goudar" <goudar(a)nal.res.in> > >> Subject: [LIS-Forum] SOUL-INFLIBNET-NEWGENLIB > >> To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > >> Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0903091302140.24277(a)css.nal.res.in> > >> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > >> > >> Dear Professionals, > >> Herewith I have forwarded my response I sent through lis-forum soon after > >> the announcement of NewGenLib as open source software. My message answers > >> few questions raised by few LIS colleagues. Ther is no poin in discussing > >> the merits and demerits of SOUL, GRANTHALAYA, Maitreyee, Suchika, etc. > >> At this juncture of avilability of open source software, what should be > >> our (librarians) stand? What responsible institutions like INFLIBNET, > >> NISCAIR, DRTC, NIC, Keshavan Institute, etc should do? Government has > >> spent lot of money various agencies for the development of good library > >> automation system. Some of them were cooked half? Discontinued further > >> developments? some of them never saw the light of the day? Some of > >> them did not get good support after sale or implementation? While I have > >> full confidence in the capability and vision of present director of > >> INFLIBNET for developing SOUL as one of the good system, my basic question > >> is, at this juncture is it necessary still put efforts and spend > >> money on such developments, when so many open source softawre are > >> available? NEWGENLIB, apart from using open source flatform, uses only > >> open standards. It has stood test ofthe time. At national level we > >> should have customization, migration and support service > >> arrangements on any open system we adopt. MY LIS-FORUM MESSGE SENT ON > >> 11 JAN 2008, GIVES SOME SUGGESTIONS IN THIS MATTER (Copy enclosed below) > >> Goudar > >> > >> > >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Tel: 91-80-25086081 > >> Sci F & Head, Information Centre for 91-80-25235315 > >> Aerospace Science and Technology Fax: 91-80-25268072 > >> National Aerospace Laboratories E-mail:goudar@css.nal.res.in > >> Airport Road, BANGALORE-560 017 India > >> http://www.icast.org.in/staff/goudar.html > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> This message has been scanned for viruses and > >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > >> believed to be clean. > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> LIS-Forum mailing list > >> LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > >> http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > >> > > > > -- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > _______________________________________________ > > LIS-Forum mailing list > > LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > > > > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > > _______________________________________________ > LIS-Forum mailing list > LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > -- _______________________________________________ Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Librarian Post In IIT Delhi
by mukesh jha 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hauz Khas, New Delhi-16 Advt. No. 01/2009 (E-1) Applications, on the prescribed form, are invited from the Indian Nationals for following posts in Central Library of the institute : *Librarian* : 01 post (Temporary but likely to contine), Pay Scale : Rs.16400-22400/- *Dy. Librarian* : 02 posts (UR-1, OBC-1), Pay Scale : Rs.12000-18300/- *Assistant Librarian* : 02 posts (UR-1, SC-1), Pay : Rs.8000-13500/- pm How to Apply : Last date of submission of application is 21/04/2009. Please write to Asstt. Registrar (E-1), IIT Delhi (Ph.# 011-26591716) for enquiries. Visit http://www.iitd.ac.in to see the details and application form. Mukesh Kumar Jha M.L.I.Sc,(BHU 2008) Library Trainee (BHU Central Library) -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Myths of Open Source Software
by Rajan 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Dear All, Many Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) tools available for library use are very user friendly, stable and extremely good. Almost all of them carry self-learning manuals too along with them so that you can learn everything independently. Koha is a good example of a library management software. ABCD Demo generates a lot of expectations among the Winisis users. Winisis is a small wonder for database users even in Windows Vista. It can be used to create even digital document archives which can be uploaded in Internet by using some simple additional software patches. Greenstone, DSpace, Eprints etc are other useful free tools which any sensible librarian can learn easily for effective use. Wiki software, CMS, E Learning etc will enter the library domain as useful tools without much delay. Photo editing can be done easily with GIMP. Html pages can be created by using NVU software. FOSS tools are not not devoid of infirmities. But many of them are more user friendly, stable and productive than their counter parts. On the other hand, one can find very useful proprietary tools also. For eg Fine Reader is a very good OCR for which you may not find a good equivalent on Windows. If library professionals keep away from FOSS, guided by the advice of those who speak prominently about the weaknesses rather than the strengths of FOSS tools, they will be at a very great loss. Focusing on the strengths of FOSS is more rewarding than thinking about their weaknesses. So kindly experience the beauty of some of those FOSS tools and you cannot ignore them. Regards, K Rajasekharan Kerala Institute of Local Administration ------------------------------ Original Message: Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:27:39 +0500 From: Upadhyay P K <pku(a)nic.in> Dear friends, To continue my view points on the use of open source software in India, I would like to clarify certain points again in response to some of you: 1. I am not against using Open Source Software. But who should, what way, in what situation is the question. It is not always better option. We should not use technology for the sake of technology, it should be justifiable according to your requirement. We should have a policy to review/upgrade the technology, softwares and infrastrure every 3-5 years. 2. But through this forum, sometimes message is broadcasted that only Open source softwares are having the best features, web based architecture, web 2.0, multilingual, etc and other commercial and free are not having. It is not like this . It is the technology available today that has made the softwares better and service oriented. Almost all the softwares avalable in India are good including commercial with all these features. You can decide based on your business objectives. Technolgy is driving the future , community has to use. 3. In case of Indian scenario, there are four types of softwares being used: Commercial(doing well), In-house developed(not advisable), open source/free(yet to pick up), Long Project based(doing well). For new initiatives I would not suggest to go for in-house development. 4. Let's see where are we placed in library automation readiness today. The way we used the software ten years ago is different today. Because some of the most relevant requirement is : Your library database should be published on Internet i.e all modules should be web based and network centric. Members can see the the things from home or remote location. Library staff can make data entry from remote and diffrent locations in India. If you are maintaining your database and dynamic website on LAN or single machine (unless mandatory), you are lagging behind others. In case of Open source you will have to work hard to get it published through your ISP. Simply publishing static web site and hosting is diffrent from hosting a dynamic website on some ISP. Reason is undestanding others code is not so easy. Once you publish your data on Internet , authentication and authorization should be security audited. In case of open source softwares you should take extra precautions. Majority of the libraries in India is maintaning their database on LAN or local single PC. It is not the proper automated system, you should switch over to latest technology. Here also let me clarify, all the popular softwares in India are having web base architecture, and not only Open Source. 5. Also society runs not only on community based services. We should also trust vendors and commercial establishments. Economy and country prospers mostly on PPP model. Always thinking that they are making money will spoil the trust. They are part of the familly. 6. First of all going for any software, you should first we should see your organization's computing infrastructure alongwith our ISP for publishing on Internet, accordingly we should select the software either Open source or commercial. Platform may be Linux or Windows. LMS may anything open source or proprietary. But ceratinly I will not suggest to use the OSS or any software in isolation like LAN or within four walls of library . 7. Ministry of External Affairs has stoped the use of Social Networking tools among their mission. Ministry of Home Affairs has made it mandatory to publish their database on secure ISP. No Governement web sites will be hosted on private ISPs. It is also sometimes creating problems to use private email providers like yahoo, gmail, rediffmail in Official communications. They must be used privately. Hope, I have tried to highlight the issues. P K Upadhyay -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Free access to SAGE Reference Online
by Sambhu Nath Halder 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Dear LIS Professionals, It is a good opportunity to access *SAGE Reference Online* freely that SAGE offers it for limited period of time. Interested peoples are requested to click over the URL given below or copy it and paste on your web browser. http://www.sagepublications.com/promos/1091041RA.htm -- Regards, Sambhu Nath Halder Incharge, Library =================================== Narula Institute of Technology 81, Nilgunj Road, Kolkata 700109 Contact No. : +91 9733964714; Office: (033) 2563 7777/8888 [Extn. 118] Telefax: 033 2583 7029 =================================== -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Article request
by manoj kumar pant 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Title: A bibliometric study of literature on digital libraries Dear professionals, If comeone could arrange article with following details. Author(s): Gian Singh, Rekha Mittal, Moin Ahmad Journal: The Electronic Library Year: 2007 Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Page: 342 - 348 ISSN: 0264-0473 DOI: 10.1108/02640470710754841 Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited I would be obliged ------------------------------------ Manoj Kumar Pant Lecturer, Amrapali Institute, Shiksha Nagar, Haldwani, Nainital, Uttaranchal-263139. Ph. No.-09012226260(Mob.) 919219918942(Home), 268201(Office) e-mail - " manojpant2(a)rediffmail.com ". " manojpant2(a)yahoo.co.in ". ------------------------------------------ "Don't walk ahead of me - I can't follow you, don't walk behind me I can't lead you, Walk along with me and be my friend." ------------------------------------------ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Call for Participation: International Workshop on Information Literacy (IWIL2009), 22-26 June 2009, Dhaka, Bangladesh
by Puna Das 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Call for Participation: International Workshop on Information Literacy (IWIL 2009) Date: 22-26 June 2009 Organized by Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) Sponsored by The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Venue: Independent University, Baridhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh Last date of submission of completed Application Form:: 20 March 2009 Download Application Form: http://www.lib.iub.edu.bd/iwil~app.html More Details: http://www.lib.iub.edu.bd/iwil.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anup Kumar Das New Delhi, India http://anupkumardas.blogspot.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now, on http://help.yahoo.com/l/in/yahoo/mail/yahoomail/tools/tools-08.html/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Five Day National Workshop on DSpace
by Jinu Sudhakaran 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Dear Professionals, Cochin University of Science & Technology is going to conduct a 5 day National workshop on DSpace in Collaboration with UGC INFLIBNET and HP India on 20th to 24th April 2009. For further details please visit http://www.dspaceworkshop.com With regards Dr.C.Beena Assistant Librarian Cochin University of Science & Technology Cochin 22 Connect with friends all over the world. Get Yahoo! India Messenger at http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/?wm=n/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Urgent Requirement in IACT
by DINESH SIDDAIAH 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Deat Friends, Urgent Requirement of Librarian position in IACT, Hebbal, Bangalore. Fresh / 1-2 years Exp. Salary 8-12K Proficiency in : Library management + MS_Office, Internet Contact: Mr. Manjunath - 9980372658 Email: manjugk01(a)yahoo.com Thanking You, Dinesh -- Dr. Dinesh K. S. MLISc., Ph.D. Selection Grade Librarian, Nagarjuna College of Engineering & Technology, Devanahalli, Bengaluru - 562 110. Ph: +91-9845102382, Email: dinesh.ncet(a)gmail.com Blog: ksdinesh.blogspot.com, Official Blog: libraryofncet.blogspot.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Seminar Invitation
by DRTC - General 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Documentation Research and Training Centre Indian Statistical Institute, & American Corner, Bangalore Cordial Invitation seminar on The Co-evolution of Libraries and the Internet By Stuart L. Weibel Senior Research Scientist Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC) Office of Research and Special Projects Dublin, Ohio Presided by Dr. A.R.D. Prasad Associate Professor DRTC, Bangalore Date & Time Thursday, 26th March 2009, 3:30 pm Venue American Corner Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Race Course Road Bangalore 1 The seminar will be followed by high tea. Note: No registration fee. About the speaker: Stuart L. Weibel has been active in the intersection of Libraries and the Internet since the Web began. He has participated in the development of web standards related to persistent identifiers and metadata since the early 1990s and for ten years directed the development of the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. His current activities focus on the development of data curation and the role that libraries should play. He will speak about the evolution of key technologies and conventions necessary to support the delivery of library services in the Internet age. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Re: [LIS-Forum] Regarding SOUL 2.0 V/s Open Source Software
by savitra sirohi 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Mr. Upadhyay, I agree with many points you raise, but take exception to following: 1. "Total cost of ownership(TCO) is high in case of open source solution" or "In relation to the total implementation, cost of software is negligible" Proprietary software costs can and are significant in many cases: - Operating System Licenses (per server) - Database Server Licenses (per server) - Application Server Licenses (per server) - Development Tool Licenses (costs passed on to customers from vendors) - Client Connectivity (Per User) - Software Upgrades (per license) - Software AMC (per license) The software costs vary from industry to industry, depending on how competitive the markets are. Let us remember that IT product companies (those that charge software licences) are some of the largest and most profitable companies in the world. Some e.g. Microsoft, Oracle, SAP. Of course open source is not just about costs. The success of open source comes from massive market adoption and consequent feedback and contribution from diverse groups of people. And the adoption is fueled because the software is free, there is simply no barrier to people trying such software. 2. "In India we are fighting for the softwares and codes developed by Western Countries". This does not mean we should stop adopting such software. There is no need for "be Indian, buy Indian" mentality, particularly for open source. We in India are free to join any open source community and contribute and benefit from it. Open Source software has no nationality. 3. "Unless somebody takes responsibility of support or stamps the product, it is not advisable to use the open source softwares . It may be security problem." This is similar to the FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) attacks that proprietary software vendors have used in the past to discourage people from using open source. Such assertions have been proved false several times. Let us take a couple of examples, which of these software has security issues: Internet Explorer or Firefox? Microsoft Windows or Linux? Thanks, Savitra Sirohi MD, Nucsoft OSS Labs http://www.osslabs.biz > Message: 5 > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:26:43 +0500 > From: Upadhyay P K <pku(a)nic.in> > Subject: [LIS-Forum] Regarding SOUL 2.0 V/s Open Source Software > To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > Message-ID: <1587da30462ee398.49be4583(a)nic.in> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Dear professionals, > > My view regarding open source solution vs proprietary are as follows. > > 1. There are ceratin myths about open source softwares. It is a good topic > of discussion and academic study and reserch. But the moment we try to > implement, problems arise out. Of course in any new implementation/change, > there are problems. People are the most important component in any solution > , open source or closed source. > > 2. Total cost of ownership(TCO) is high in case of open source solution. If > you consider the Software installation, server setup, training, AMC, > hosting, security, follow-up, customization the cost will be high. In > relation to the total implementation, cost of software is negligible. We > should not be worry about the open or closed softwares, our motive should be > Proper Information Systems Solution. The management and parent organization > never stop if a good proposal with time bound implementation is put for > financial approval. Government of India has allocated Rs 23000 crore for > eGovernance during 11th Plan . Many of the organizations are not able to > spend their ICT bugdet or sometime spend anyhow. > > 3. In India we are fighting for the softwares and codes developed by > Western Countries- both Open Source tools, OS, Systems Softwares and > majority of the open source softwares( for example Windows, Linux, .NET, > JAVA, IIS, Apache, etc). They are developing and launching these projects, > and in developping countries including India we are not able to decide which > software are to be used. Althogh we should appreciate the efforts of > NEWGENLIB team from India and many Open Technology Centres have been > started. > > 4. Only people are talking in fashion of open source, freedom of owning , > because it seems free but it's not if you talk of total solution. It has > become a fashion to talk of RFID, SmartCard, Web 2.0, Social Networking, > MARC, UNICODE, Mobile OPAC, Digital Libraries, etc, even if there is no > basic infrastructure like latest hardware, networking infrastructure, web > hosting , data entry plan, etc. > > 5. Earlier also there were almost free software like CDS/ISIS from UNESCO, > DELPLUS from DELNET(with only Rs 7500 or so), SOUL for college university > from INFLIBNET (with Rs 50000), but libraries did not utilize the > opportunity. Majority of libraries does not have capability to understand > simple codes of HTML and changing their logo in the software. Actually LIS > professionals are not supposed to be programmers. They should be information > systems manager. > > 6. Unless somebody takes responsibility of support or stamps the product, > it is not advisable to use the open source softwares . It may be security > problem. > > 7. I have experience of regularly interacting with many big organizations > and libraries throughout India that are struggling in selecting the LMS > softwares since many years. They have not yet started Data Entry of books. > If they could have used even CDS/ISIS or an MS ACCESS database for data > entry at least 60% work could have been over in terms of automation. > > 8 Some libraries I have seen, are not able to publish their OPAC on > Internet and maintaning database on local LAN machine. They have used many > open source softwares of LMS, Digital Library, Repository learnt in > different forums and training programmes. But when question comes of > migration, data conversion or enterprise integrating those softwares > solutions, they need huge money and running here and there. > > 9. There are around 5 lakh libraries in the country including schools, > hardly 10% of these may be automated using Library Management Softwares. > We have to make them automated using open source or closed at the earliest. > Here all the stakeholders are required to join and contribute. Only talking > of open or closed will not be sufficient. > > 10. My point in discussing these issues is not to discard the open source > softwares, but more of providing the right kind Information Systems solution > in totality for Indian libraries. Of course there is open revolution > throghout world . > > with regards > > P K Upadhyay > NIC , Delhi > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay <psm_bu(a)india.com> > Date: Monday, March 16, 2009 10:18 am > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] OpenSource Debate > To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > > Dear all > > > > A good logical and time befitting debate started at last. I'm > > completely agreed with Mr. Singh and would like to add a few > > point in that .... > > > > 1. Close source commercial LMSs are non-transparent in the use > > and application of standards, whereas FLOSS based LMSs are very > > clear in this direction (take the example of Koha, right from > > the 1999 it is trying to follow and implement all the global > > internationally agreed upon standards e.g. EDIFACT, NCIP, Z39.50 > > etc.); > > 2. Close source commercial LMSs are still not compliant with Web > > 2.0 tools, techniques and philosophy. FLOSS based LMSs are quite > > accommodative in this regard, for example, Koha 3 is RSS > > compliant (it produce RSS feed for every search query issued by > > users), supports Tag submission by users to describe a resource, > > users can post their comments on a particular resource available > > in the library. In short it follows participative architecture > > or user-at-the centre stage model. Unfortunately no other LMSs > > is presently web 2.0-enableb; > > > > 3. Koha (2.x and 3.x) is web-centric in architecture; > > > > 4. Fully compatible with Unicode 5.1 and thereby ensures > > storing, processing and retrieval of Indic script based resource > > (see www.granthalaya.org for a live demo); > > > > 5. Koha 3 supports information mashup - in fact we are noe able > > to snatch cover page images from Amazon without scanning pages > > or writing a single line of code (see the site of Department of > > LIS, University of Burdwan @ > > http://burdwan01.kwc.kohalibrary.com/ - search digital library > > or LIS related terms). > > > > Hope to see a brave open world > > > > Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay > > Department of Library and Information Science > > University of Burdwan, > > Burdwan, Rajbati - 713104, WB > > --------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Sukhdev Singh" <esukhdev(a)gmail.com> > > > To: "SatishDpnd@Adroit" <satish.dpnd(a)gmail.com> > > > Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] SOUL-NewGenLib-OpenSource Debate > > > Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:16:33 +0530 > > > > > > > > > Dear All, > > > > > > I don't think we should shy away from any debate. But unfortunately > > > LIS Community in India seems to be relatively shy of healthy > > debates.> > > > > > > If I am given a chance to implement a Library Automation > > System, I > > > would prefer a model in the following order: > > > > > > 1. Open Source Solution. For the freedom it provides in terms of > > > 'owning' the systems for long term use. I won't mind taking a paid > > > support service. > > > > > > 2. Free Software. For it won't burden my budgets and won't > > trouble me > > > with approvals of higher authorities. > > > > > > 3. Commercial Solution. I would be going for it if none is available > > > in Open Source domain. I will keep myself ready for migration > > to an > > > Open Source Solution. > > > > > > I still feel that efforts required for training and implementation > > > remains the same for all models of softwares. > > > > > > I would still like to hear more on KOHA Vs NewGenLib. I am impressed > > > with the Delhi Public Library's ( http://dpl.gov.in/ ) > > implementation> of KOHA, though I have no idea of inside story > > about it. I would like > > > to see NewGenLib's implementation available for public view. > > > > > > Thanks > > > > > > --Sukhdev Singh. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 7:51 PM, SatishDpnd@Adroit > > > <satish.dpnd(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > In response to LIS-Forum Digest, Vol 72, Issue 13 : Message > > 2 and earlier > > > > discussions on the topic > > > > > > > > > > > > Dear LIS professionals > > > > > > > > The debate on NewGenLib v/s SOUL is simply not necessary > > because I feel both > > > > are meant for different segments of LIS market. SOUL > > was developed by > > > > INFLIBNET years back under the aegis of UGC to support > > academic Library > > > > community which at that time was unable to invest in > > proprietary LMS. The > > > > initial College edition of SOUL was costing merely > > Rs.15,000/- (until > > > > recently) when proprietary standalone LMS was costing Rs.1 > > lac. There are > > > > more than 1600 SOUL installations in India. Just think > > of them ! What > > > > should they do ? Get free-upgrade of SOUL 2.0 (with > > moderate costs of > > > > installation) or go for NewGenLib/Koha which is free and > > open source. SOUL > > > > 2.0 has added many more facilities to its previous > > version. It's web-based, > > > > many International Standards have been adopted and it is SIP2/NCIP > > > > compatible too. Now think of those smaller libraries > > which have only couple > > > > of staff, what should they do ? Use readily available > > upgraded LMS or > > > > switch over to free, open source NewGenLib or Koha - for > > which neither they > > > > have expertise nor time to devote. > > > > > > > > All of us those who are adopting Open Source software know > > very well that > > > > it needs substantial staff-time-investment - may it be for > > data migration, > > > > customising each function to suit to one's needs or even > > fixing small > > > > problem of default currency. Open Source LMS is only a > > powerful engine, but > > > > whether one can make a racing car out of it or not depends > > upon availability > > > > of the workshop facilities, latest tools and machinery, > > research staff to > > > > support and designing team to take care of its > > dynamics. Therefore I would > > > > not blindly support Open Source just because it is almost > > free compared to > > > > proprietary LMS - but would strongly advocate use of SOUL > > 2.0 by those who > > > > would like to concentrate more on user-services than > > breaking their heads in > > > > customising Open Source LMS. > > > > > > > > SOUL 2.0 is a step towards upgrading efficiency of LIS > > community as a whole > > > > at very negligible input costs. Those who feel the > > SOUL 2.0 rates are high > > > > should enquire for rates for proprietary LMS in the > > market, and also how > > > > much would it cost to customise Open Source with facilities > > which are > > > > offered by SOUL 2.0. > > > > > > > > I have yet not come across any fully operational Open Source > > LMS in any of > > > > the large Libraries in India. Many open source > > agencies claim that each and > > > > every module/facility can be customised, e.g. Template > > designs, RSS Feeds, > > > > Blogs, Federated Search, scheduled auto e-mail generators, > > Customised> > Reports, MIS stats, Online Reservation facility, > > built-in SIP2/NCIP, > > > > Video-streaming facility through web-OPAC, importing records > > from web > > > > catalogues, exporting records in variety of formats, remote > > log-ins, Serials > > > > Management etc., but when it comes to practical > > implementation, it takes > > > > months together to mould them to match needs of the organisation. > > > > > > > > Therefore I will never ever criticise indigenous LMS like > > SOUL. It is/was > > > > developed for specific cause/purpose and not for competing > > with proprietary > > > > LMS or to discourage use of Open Source LMS. We all > > should recommend it to > > > > all those who are short of resources and do not have > > time/expertise to > > > > customise freely available open-source. > > > > > > > > Would certainly welcome your views > > > > > > > > Happy LMSing ! > > > > > > > > satish deshpande > > > > formerly Head British Council Library Ahmedabad > > > > > > > > Mentor, Nirma University Libraries; Adviser, KM&IC, National > > Institute of > > > > Design, Ahmedabad > > > > M : 098250 30460 > > > > email : satish.dpnd(a)gmail.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In response to LIS-Forum Digest, Vol 72, Issue 13 : Message 2 > > > > > > > >> Message: 2 > > > >> Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 13:56:14 +0530 (IST) > > > >> From: "I.R.N.Goudar" <goudar(a)nal.res.in> > > > >> Subject: [LIS-Forum] SOUL-INFLIBNET-NEWGENLIB > > > >> To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > > >> Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0903091302140.24277(a)css.nal.res.in> > > > >> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > > > >> > > > >> Dear Professionals, > > > >> Herewith I have forwarded my response I sent through lis- > > forum soon after > > > >> the announcement of NewGenLib as open source software. My > > message answers > > > >> few questions raised by few LIS colleagues. Ther is no poin > > in discussing > > > >> the merits and demerits of SOUL, GRANTHALAYA, Maitreyee, > > Suchika, etc. > > > >> At this juncture of avilability of open source software, > > what should be > > > >> our (librarians) stand? What responsible institutions like > > INFLIBNET,> >> NISCAIR, DRTC, NIC, Keshavan Institute, etc > > should do? Government has > > > >> spent lot of money various agencies for the > > development of good library > > > >> automation system. Some of them were cooked half? > > Discontinued further > > > >> developments? some of them never saw the light of the day? > > Some of > > > >> them did not get good support after sale or implementation? > > While I have > > > >> full confidence in the capability and vision of present > > director of > > > >> INFLIBNET for developing SOUL as one of the good system, my > > basic question > > > >> is, at this juncture is it necessary still put efforts and spend > > > >> money on such developments, when so many open source > > softawre are > > > >> available? NEWGENLIB, apart from using open source > > flatform, uses only > > > >> open standards. It has stood test ofthe time. At national > > level we > > > >> should have customization, migration and support service > > > >> arrangements on any open system we adopt. MY LIS-FORUM > > MESSGE SENT ON > > > >> 11 JAN 2008, GIVES SOME SUGGESTIONS IN THIS MATTER (Copy > > enclosed below) > > > >> Goudar > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> ------------------------------------------------------------ > > -------------- > > > >> Dr. I.R.N. > > Goudar Tel: 91-80-25086081 > > > >> Sci F & Head, Information Centre > > for 91-80-25235315 > > > >> Aerospace Science and > > Technology Fax: 91-80-25268072 > > > >> National Aerospace > > Laboratories E-mail:goudar@css.nal.res.in<E-mail%3Agoudar(a)css.nal.res.in> > > > >> Airport Road, BANGALORE-560 017 India > > > >> http://www.icast.org.in/staff/goudar.html > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> -- > > > >> This message has been scanned for viruses and > > > >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > > >> believed to be clean. > > > >> > > > >> _______________________________________________ > > > >> LIS-Forum mailing list > > > >> LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > > >> http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > > > believed to be clean. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > LIS-Forum mailing list > > > > LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > > > http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > > believed to be clean. > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > LIS-Forum mailing list > > > LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > > http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > > Search for products and services at: > > http://search.mail.com > > > > -- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > LIS-Forum mailing list > > LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > >

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