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

No Octroi Tax on Books Transportation - Circular
by Ajay Kamble 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Dear Professionals, Book Exhibition is one of the most important activity carried out by libraries to exhibit or purchase new books for its users. When some library organise Book exhibition, They have to invite various Book Publishers and Sellers to exhibit and sell their books in book exhibition. A Circular Of Maharashtra Government regarding exemption in Octroi Tax will be useful at the time of books exhibition. You may hand it over to your supplier/publisher and help him. If you are travelling somewhere and purchased some books for your library, you can also keep this circular with you to prevent Octroi consequences. The Circular is available at www.mlsc.co.nr. -- Ajay M. Kamble Librarian Annasaheb Vartak Arts, Commerce, Science College, Vasai Road (W), Dist. Thane - 401202 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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article request- IASLIC cof. SIG Industrial information-dec 2004in
by suresh kumar 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Deatr Members, I would like to get an article presented in 2004 conf.. of IASLIC SIG Industrial information - Digital information Resources for industrial sector- A focus on enterprises growth by Sri Probhir Kumar Day for the use of my research work. I should be most grateful , if anyone can help me in this regard. N.Suresh kumar, Library Officer, FCRI( Govt. of India) , Palakkad - 678623. Mob 09447187206 Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Web based personal cataloging of books
by Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

There have been questions earlier in this forum about personal library cataloging applications. Here is sort of top ten list: http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2009/10-websites-for-book-lovers/ Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015 Ph 27846631 / 9490804278 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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New digital library of Islamic manuscripts online
by Muhammad Rafiq 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Princeton University has placed a new digital library of 200 Islamic manuscripts online for scholars to consult and study. These manuscripts were selected from some 9,500 volumes of Islamic manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and other languages of the Muslim world in the University Library's Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. Princeton's extraordinary holdings constitute the premier collection in the Western Hemisphere and among the finest in the world, according to Don Skemer, curator of manuscripts. For details, please Click Here<http://infromationhub.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-digital-library-of-islamic.h…>or visit http://infromationhub.blogspot.com/ Regards. -- Rafiq -- 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] Myths of Open Source Software
by Suvarsha W. Minj 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Hello all, Couldn't help but comment of this discussion. The meaning of the term "free" in Open Source Software (OSS) is the free as in "freedom" and not free as in "free beer". When you buy a table you are free to break it down use up the wood in ways that you want or even sell it. Similarly when you opt for OSS you can look at the code, modify it and some licenses will also allow you to commercialize it. So you can be as business and profit oriented with OSS as with closed source software vendors. That is not the differentiating point at all. But I am a strong supporter of OSS because they cannot lock in your data, so even when you want to move to another package you can get out the content that you have generated. If the OSS has a strong user community base then the likely hood of development and support is good. An OSS with a strong user base and a good vendor in your area who are able to provide support services would be a good option to go for I think. Thanks and regards, Suvarsha Information Analyst, HP Labs India, Bangalore --- On Wed, 3/18/09, Dr.Tariq Ashraf <tariq22(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Dr.Tariq Ashraf <tariq22(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Myths of Open Source Software > To: "Upadhyay P K" <pku(a)nic.in> > Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 12:20 AM > My friend Mr.P.K.Upadhyay has > touched the raw nerve.Leave apart the technological issues > ,most of the proponents of Open Source Softwares/ > Institutional repositories deride the commercial > interests of vendors/publishers howsoever genuine they may > be.They are so passionate about their being against > vendors as if it is a crime to be honest about business > and profiteering motives. Whereas the truth is that no > library or social instituion wil survive without the support > of such commercial ventures for very long.Despite the > mushrooming growth of IRs both public and private, no > library has been able to drop the subscription of journals > substantially or reduce the budget of books.In fact most of > us are always asking for more grants. I feel it is important > to have a balanced and realistic approach and not to get > possessed-some would say get bugged , by cetain > transient and temporary develpment/occurances which are > no more than high sounding jargons and romantic > view points if examined honestly and without any > vested/personal interest in perpetuating such > "myths" . > > > Sincerely > Tariq > > > On 3/17/09, Upadhyay P K <pku(a)nic.in> > wrote: > > 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. > with regards > P K Upadhyay > NIC, Delhi > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Sukhdev Singh <esukhdev(a)gmail.com> > Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 12:58 am > > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Regarding SOUL 2.0 V/s Open Source > Software > To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > > Cc: Upadhyay P K <pku(a)nic.in> > > > Thanks Friends for carrying out the debate further. > > > > Regarding Total cost of ownership(TCO), on the very > outset let me > > > quote "there is still debate over how to measure > the total cost of > > ownership of open source versus proprietary > systems". > > (http://sn.im/dx10z) . > > > > > I maintain my argument that any solution (Open, Free > or Closed) will > > require Servers, Network Infrastructure, Manpower to > handle > > installation, alternation and alignment of System > Processes (Library > > > Process here) and training of the Staff and Users of > the system. > > > > It is obvious that different libraries would be have > different > > constraints. Some may be flushed with funds while > others may be facing > > > cuts in their budgets specially in corporate sector > (They anyway might > > be having tough time in current difficult economic > situation). Some > > may be > > having highly trained manpower while others might be > having computer > > > departments at their disposal. For some the library > operations > > may be > > critical and time dependent (Large Universities > Libraries ) for others > > even manual system will still work (Small Departmental > or School > > > Libraries). And some Libraries and Librarians may > still survive and > > flourish without even thinking of automation. Let us > not loose our > > focus just because there is such an heterogeneous > environment in > > > India. But then, this is true for all spheres in > India. > > Marutis and > > bullock carts run on the same road here. > > > > We must try to understand one thing, Libraries have > very long life > > cycle. Libraries survive through generations. Atleast > they > > > survive for > > the life of their parent organizations. However > Software Life > > Cycle is > > extremely short. A software version may hardly survive > three years. > > Version updates is a matter of norm. So, continued > updates from the > > > software developer are a must. So, while selecting > > software, this > > issue has to be kept in mind. Now since, Libraries are > meant to > > survive over generations; the ideal software for > libraries would be > > > that whose developer survives over generations. Not > just survive but > > keep on developing the software with new requirements > and in > > accordance to best technologies available in time. > > > > Now let us apply this test on commercial developers. > Commercial > > > developers work for business profitability. They will > survive > > and keep > > developing till they make profit in doing so. I > remember, in late > > eighties, there were three ‘revolutionary’ > softwares – WordStar (a > > > word processing package), Lotus – 123 (a > spreadsheet) and dBASE (a > > database package). They were perhaps the most > successful > > softwares of > > their times and were taught in computer science > courses. But > > > where are > > they now? Where are their developers? Well > > their developers could > > not survive due reasons not linked to their wonderful > products. Well, > > CDS/ISIS (Winisis), which also become popular in those > days among > > > Library and Information Community, is still available > and does its > > work for which it is meant (i.e. bibliographic > databases). It > > survived, because reasons for its existence were other > than > > profit or > > > business. > > > > Perhaps, you can argue that Microsoft will survive for > generations. > > Well, I also do not foreseeing any ‘Satyam’ with > it. But, users of > > Windows XP (and many users of its previous windows) > will soon be > > > forced to migrate to newer versions (the notorious > Vista). As after > > few year s they will officially discontinue their > support > > Windows XP > > (infact they had given even this extension after lot > of hue and cry > > > from user community). Well, it not that Microsoft is > making > > loses with > > Windows XP; No it is part of their business strategy. > So, even from > > financially sound developers, there is no grantee of > continued > > > support. > > > > These are some stray examples. Anyway, to cut the > story short, > > let me > > quickly come to the moral of the story – You cannot > rely upon Vendor > > or Business backed softwares for long term entities > called Libraries. > > > So, what is the alternative available, fortunately > “Community Backed” > > softwares is the answer for long term continuity and > continuous > > updates. These are nothing else but Open Source > Softwares which are > > > developed and maintained by ‘community spirit’. > Since > > communities last > > longer then individuals and businesses, the open > source softwares > > backed by strong communities last much longer. The > community spirit > > > does wonders and cannot be explained in simple > business models – but > > it works! Well who owned Internet anyway? How > Wikipedia came to a > > level that it could be compared with Encyclopedia > Britanica. How Linux > > > keeps itself going? And what is this Web 2.0? What the > hell makes > > sites like Facebook / Orkut (and many others) so > popular. Well, there > > is this ‘community spirit’ in every such wonder. > > > > If youngsters are following this email; follow my > advice – go > > > for Open > > Source Softwares. Learn them and invest your time and > efforts in them. > > Discuss them and help your peers in learning and using > them. You may > > have to work on commercial / closed softwares in your > workplace as > > > merit is not the only criteria by which softwares are > selected. > > > > But still invest in future – and the future is > open. > > > > --Sukhdev Singh. > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:56 PM, Upadhyay P K <pku(a)nic.in> wrote: > > > > 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 > > > >> > >> 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. > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > 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 > > > > > > -- > Dr.Tariq Ashraf > South Campus, University of Delhi > Benito Juarez Marg New Delhi (India )110021 > Email: tariq22(a)gmail.com > ; tariq(a)duls.du.ac.in > > > Ph: 011-24110221 (Direct) Fax: 011-24110221 > Cell:9868335593 > Website: http://www.du.ac.in > > > The information contained in this e-mail message is > privileged, confidential, and protected from > disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any > dissemination or copying is strictly prohibited. If you > think that you have received this e-mail message in error, > please e-mail the sender. > > -- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by > MailScanner, > and is > > believed to be clean. > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Various post in IIT Delhi
by Tapas Kumar Das 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Dear Professionals *Vacancy of following post in 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 : 1. *Librarian* : 01 post (Temporary but likely to contine), Pay Scale : Rs.16400-22400/- 2. *Dy. Librarian *: 02 posts (UR-1, OBC-1), Pay Scale : Rs.12000-18300/- 3. *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. Regards -- Tapas Kumar Das Technical Assistant Central Library Mangalayatan University Aligarh, U.P. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Reg: Commercial vs. Open Source LMS
by Kshema Prakash 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Dear Colleagues, I am in all agreement with Mr. Sukhdev Singh's point of view. The debate on Commercial Vs. Open Source LMS is very much a need of time, now. As a working librarian, I wish to share my experiences with you all, which may perhaps throw some light on the efforts of our Open Source software developers. Like every other university we had tried our hands at a commercial software and as Sukhdev rightly pointed out, our vendors simply fled the scene leaving us in a lurch. Loads of our data which was a result of hardwork and overtime of our staff got locked up and we could never retrieve that. It has been such a pain!! After lot of deliberations and doubtful expressions from our faculty members and authorities, we finally managed to convince them for an open source solution with Koha. A notable point is Koha is no doubt a very stable software with a strong community base. But its implemenattion and maintenance is not an easy job for all librarians, especially in India. It requires a high level understanding of the OS (if you wish to implemet on Linux platform) and several other features. We have to perform several other duties along with computerization, which do not allow us to completely concentrate solely on this job. While we were meddling with Koha's implementation, computer experts were also flown in to help us with installation, customization and for data migration. Still, the desired result could not be produced. At such a time NewGenLib was made open source. Having a tough time with computerization amidst growing annoyance of the users, we experimented with NewGenLib and it worked !! The software is so user friendly for installation, customization as well as maintenance. Contribution of the developer, Dr. Haravu and proactive support of his team, especially Mr. Siddartha is incredible. They are so responsive and are always ready to solve the problems. What do we librarians want? It is in this respect that I strongly support Sukhdev's views that a community based software will go a long way as per the requirements of an organization. But, its a matter of support from the library community. It is for our community to support such endeavours in order to keep ourselves strong and going. We should understand that support in terms of AMC and product promotion will help the software survive. When we are forced to pay whopping amounts of AMC to a commercial vendor, why not a nominal amount of AMC to a good samaritan? Another noteworthy point is - success of the software in a library depends upon the attitude of people on both sides - the developer and the implementor. We have to agree that there are many libraries in India who are still in computerization stage and face typical problems specific to each of their organizational set-up. The reason for opting and supporting NewGenLib when compared to Koha is the simplicity of the software, ease in data migration, support from the developers and above all it suits to the requirements of a typical Indian library system. Mr. Goudar's suggestion is worth considering that Inflibnet can think of collaborating with developers of NewGenLib for all these obvious reasons. It will surely be a win-win situation for both Inflibnet as well as NewGenLib, specially because of strong leaders on both fronts - Dr. Arora and Dr. Haravu. Their experience and expertise will definitely help in the ascent of library community. I am pleased to say that today we are tension-free and satisfied as our efforts in implementing an open source software have not only been appreciated by our authorities and welcomed by our users but are also being supported by every means. >From my limited experience I have tried to humbly put forth some of my view points. Apologies for any unforseen or unintentional remarks. Think open and have a great time! Kshema Mrs. Kshema Prakash Faculty Librarian - Gr I, Contact Person e-Journals (Library) & Coordinator - Distance Library Services DEI Central Library Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University) Dayalbagh, Agra 282 0110 Uttar Pradesh, India Mob: +919897190604 http://kshema-distancelibraryservices.blogspot.com/ -- 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] 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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