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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.

4 4

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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Call For Papers--Revised Information
by Charu 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Respected Friends, Greetings for the day, I apologies for typing error made in last posting of BOSLA Conference. I request my worthy friends to read the Conference Venue as follows— C-DAC Kharghar, Navi Mumbai instead C-DAC Kharghar, I request my friends to ignore my mistake. Regards, Miss Charu Mathur. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Job opportunity
by Sambhu Nath Halder 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

DRS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL asking application from LIS professionals for the post of Librarian. Location: Andhra Pradesh** Key Skills:Requisite knowledge, skills and ability to work regarding Librarian. ** Experience: 2 - 3 ** Job Details: Role requires handling the work related to Librarian. Company Details: Contemporary, and with a futuristic outlook, DRS International School is a new age learning place that believes in teaching which will bring in a change. An intergrated part of DRS Educationl, this IB school applies various ITA methods that make learning effective and result-oriented. Contact Details: *Address :* DRS International School Survey No. 523 Opp. Apparel Park Gunlapochampally Villa ge. Medichal (M). R.R. Dist. Andhra Pradesh Reference: http://www.timesjobs.com/candidate/JobDetailView.html?adId=49449860&from=su… -- 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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Job opportunity
by Sambhu Nath Halder 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

*Rawal Institute of Engineering & Technology* invites application for the post of Librarian. Location: Faridabad ** Key Skills:Requisite knowledge, skills and ability to work regarding Librarian. Experience: 1 - 3 ** Job Details: Role requires handling the work related to Librarian. Additional Information:Applications may apply with latest resume two photograph and photocopies of all certificates and documents awarded superscribing the post applied for on the envelop within 7 days.Sohna Road Faridabad Near Vill-Zakopur Tech. Ballabgarh Faridabad E-mail: jobs(a)rawalinstitutions.com Company Details: A unit of goyal educational & welfare society. Contact Details: *Address :* To Chairman Governing Body 692 Sector 8 Faridabad Reference: http://www.timesjobs.com/candidate/JobDetailView.html?adId=49506199&from=su… -- 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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'Web founder looks to big changes'
by Shriram Pandey 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Dear List Members, 'Web founder looks to big changes' is a interesting and informative article which contains the futuristic ideas www by Tim-Berners-lee.According to him 'The web is not all done, it's just the tip of the iceberg... I'm convinced that the new changes are going to rock the world even more,' Tim Berners Lee, the creator of the Web, at the 20th anniversary celebrations at Cern. 'New changes are going to rock the world even more'. 'The future of the web lies in mobile phones'. The detail article may be available at : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7943319.stm - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Regards, Shri Ram Pandey - Asst. Librarian The LNM Institute of Information Technology(LNM IIT) Jaipur(Rajasthan) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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PC Auto Shutdown
by shankar nadoor 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

Dear All PC Auto Shutdown is a handy software that helps you automatically shutdown, power off, reboot, hibernate, suspend or log off computers at schedule time you specifies. It can shut down computers at schedule time when no user is logged in or when computers are in suspended power conservation mode. It gives you different ways to schedule the shutdown event for your needs, such as daily, weekly and only once. During the shutdown, it can clean up Recycle Bin, temporary files, IE cache, IE cookies, IE history, IE auto- complete entries and recent document list to improve system performance and protect your privacy. * URL* :http://www.drivermagician.com/autoshutdown/downloadAutoShutdown.htm Key features: - Shut down, power off, reboot, hibernate, suspend or log off computers at schedule time. - Shut down, power off, reboot, hibernate, suspend or log off computers at schedule time *when no user is logged in* - *Activate computers from suspended power conservation mode*, and* *shut down, power off, reboot, hibernate, suspend or log off computers at schedule time - Different schedules to meet your needs. - You can set up hotkeys to shut down your computer instantly. - Clean up IE cookies, history ,temporary files and Recycle Bin to protect your privacy. - Set password to avoid others changing your schedule configuration. - Customize alarm sound and countdown duration during shutdown. - Log each shutdown events. Thanking You, Regards, Shankar Nadoor Asst.Librarian MSRIT,Bangalore-54 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Congratulations to Ms.K.Usha
by Subudhi KSP 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

K.S.P.Subudhi, Scientist/Engineer SE, Library & Documentation Division, ISRO Satellite centre, Airport Road, Bangalore-560017 Dear Sir, Consequent on the superannuation of Dr.M.S.Sridhar as Head, Library & Documentation Division on 28-2-2009, Ms.K.Usha, Scientist/Engineer SF, has been designated as Head, Library & Documentation Division, ISRO Satellite centre, Bangalore-17. Ms.K.Usha's contact and mailing address is given below: Ms.K.Usha, Head, Library & Documentation Division, ISRO Satellite Centre, Airport Road, Vimanapura P.O, Bangalore-560017 Email: ushak(a)isac.gov.in Tel(Off) +91-80-25084451 Tel(Fax) +91-80-25084476 Yours faithfully, K.S.P.Subudhi -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Call for Papers
by Charu 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Respected Friends, Greetings for the day, BOSLA (Bombay Science Library Association) has invited the papers form Informaiton Progfessionals for two day seminar on “Putting Knowledge to work : Best Practice in Librarianship” during May 1-2, 2009 at C-DAC Kharagpur. Broad areas of intrest include but are not limited to : 1. Management and Leadership 2. Collection Development 3. Keeping up with the profession 4. Reference Service 5. Information Literacy 6. Resource Sharing 7. Promotional Activities 8. Training and Development for Libraries 9. Technology Access 10. Implementing Technology 11. Information Sharing and Education 12. Successful Collaborations 13. Information Media 14. Corporate Librarianship 15. Bibliometrics and Scientometrics 16. Preservation and Conservation 17. Open Archives Guidelines for submissions are : 1. The heading should include the title, followed by the name address, telephone and email address of the author(s) who will be presenting the paper. 2. The paper should be sent in the Word format. 3. The paper should not exceed more than 5 pages and must fit A4 size paper and if required must be able to print clearly. Final submission of papers can be made upto 20 April,2009. Word copy of the complete paper should be sent to or emailed to: DR. MUTTAYYA KOGANURAMATH UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN Sir Dorabji Memorial Library, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, P.B. No.8313, Deonar, MUMBAI - 400 088 INDIA Tel: 91-22-25513350 (Direct) 91-22-25563290, Ext.281(O) Mobile: 91-9967570481 Fax: 91-22-2556 2912 Email: muttayya(a)tiss.edu, koganuramath(a)rediffmail.com Regards, Miss Charu Mathur, Delhi. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Library Schools - research and development in the US
by Jai Haravu 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Dear Members I am a member on an interesting list for new generation cataogs. The discussions are varied and interesting. One recent thread concerns the poor contributions of library schools in the US to research and development and I am quoting below the posting. Members in India are critical, sometimes uneasonably, of library schools in India who work under much more constarints and I thought it would be useful to see that the situation in the US so far as new frontiers, R & D are not much different. I suppose, we should not feel smug about this but see indeed how we can also improve our own research outputs so that they make a useful contribution to the profession in general. The post I am referring to is quoted below. "The library schools tend to be very small, with small faculties and small student bodies, and without tremendous support from their parent institutions. Moreover, they are divided into two groups: those that have a significant concentration (possibly a separate degree) in information science and those that don't. There are certainly some determined and creative researchers among the faculties, but it's not a large community, even across all the schools, and the existence of a community of people among whom to discuss, argue, imagine, float ideas, encourage, compete, etc. really would help in building a body of active researchers in the areas that this group is interested in. (And even within the profession at large, there is not a culture of research and experimentation. There is instead a culture of service, and a culture of day-to-day. The library schools could help in this regard by inculcating their students and graduates with an understanding that research, experimentation, investigation, thinking, etc. are essential parts of their work. Personally, I'm not holding my breath.) Some potential for useful and well-funded research emanating from library schools would seem to lie in collaboration between for-profit entities (such as OCLC, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, III) and academics. Unfortunately, although you are singing my song (that is, the song that bemoans the dearth of creative research EITHER on the frontiers of librarianship OR within its heartland), I'm also one of those who sings in the chorus in the background and only occasionally dares a solo." Janet Swan Hill, Professor Associate Director for Technical Services University of Colorado Libraries, CB184 Boulder, CO 80309 janet.hill(a)colorado.edu -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Fw: SOUL Software
by Rajesh Chandrakar 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Dear Moderator, kindly distribute it to the forum members as the content seems to be for the forum members. With best regards Rajesh ----- Original Message ----- From: Dr. Jagdish Arora To: 'Rajesh Chandrakar' ; 'Yatrik Patel' Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 4:18 PM Subject: FW: SOUL Software I suppose, this is written for the Forum. Regards Jagdish Arora From: principal [mailto:pgcdatia@rediffmail.com] Sent: 13 March 2009 12:50 To: director(a)inflibnet.ac.in Subject: SOUL Software Dear Friends SOUL has been designed Keeping in view the needs of academic instituions.It is user friendly and for redressed of complaints and for help SOUL Support centre have been established in every zone I am using SOUL foe past 6 years and maximum work of my library in being done through SOUL. In Higher Education M.P>SOUL was selected to the used after comparing them with other software in operation SOUL is being used in about 250 institutions in M.P. SOUL2.0 was developed as per the recommendation and needs of the existing soul users. N.S. YADAV Librarian Govt. P.G. Collage Datia Mob. 9425777461 13-03-09 Dr. G. K. Shrivastava PRINCIPAL GOVT. (AUTONOMOUS) POSTGRADUATE COLLEGE, DATIA (M.P.) Phone No. - (07522) 234538, 238574 Fax -(07522) 401847: Mobile No. 094257-41428 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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VACANCY- LIBRARY ASSISTANT
by Abhishek Verma 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

DEAR MODERATOR PLEASE POST THIS ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE POST OF LIBRARY ASSISTANT IN ISRO, WHOSE WEB LINK IS......http://www.isac.gov.in/Library/advt.jsp AND THE DETAILS ARE GIVEN BELOW GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION Advertisement No: ISRO HQ/01/2009 dated 18-02-2009 The Indian Space Research programme began in the sixties with the launch of modest sounding rockets for scientific investigations. Since then, India has achieved self-reliance in both Spacecraft and Satellite Launch Vehicle Programmes with the operationalisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle [PSLV] for launching satellites in polar orbits and Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle [GSLV] for launching satellites in Geosynchronous transfer orbits.ISRO has a vibrant space programme which envisages development of cutting edge technologies for reusable launch vehicle, advanced spacecraft and space explorations. ISRO has a strong base in space science too and the first Indian scientific mission to the Moon - Chandrayaan-1 was successfully launched in October 2008. ISRO offers the position of Library Assistant-A in the pay band of Rs. 9300-34800 with grade pay of Rs. 4200 to young graduates with a Master's Degree in Library Science/Library & Information Science with First Class or equivalent. Eligibility: * Graduate + Master's Degree in Library Science/Library & Information Science with First Class or equivalent. * Master's Degree must be in First Class only. Accordingly only those who possess First Class in Master's degree need to apply. * The qualification prescribed is the minimum requirement and the same does not automatically make candidates eligible for the interview. Age Limit: * Age limit is 35 years as on 31-03-2009(40 years in case of SC/ST candidates and 38 years for OBC candidates). * Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Disabilities are eligible for age relaxation as per rules. How to apply: * Candidates may visit our web-site at www.isro.gov.in to register their applications on-line. * The candidates should register their applications on-line between 13-03-2009 and 31-03-2009. * Applications will be received on-line only. * Upon registration, applicants will be provided with an on-line Registration Number, which should be carefully preserved for future reference. * E-mail ID of the applicant will have to be given in the application compulsorily. * The on-line application has to be invariably followed-up with a `No Objection Certificate' from the employer concerned, by those already in employment under Central/State Government, Public Sector Undertakings or Autonomous Bodies, duly indicating the name and Reg. No on the reverse. * There will be an Application Fee of Rs.100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only) for each application. Demand Draft details need to be filled-in at the time of on-line registration. The candidate before filing his/her application has to take a DD for Rs.100/- from any of the Nationalized Bank in favour of the Sr. Accounts Officer, ISRO HQ, Bangalore, payable at Bangalore. The Applicant should enter the DD Number, date and name of the Bank in the space provided for the same in the web application. * After filing the application, on-line, the applicant has to send the DD with his/her Full Name (as entered in web), Post and Registration No. written on the reverse of the DD to Administrative Officer(GA), ISRO Headquarters, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore -560 231 by ordinary post superscribing on the envelope "ISRO RECRUITMENT-Library Assistant". Please note that applications, in respect of which DDs have not been received with Name as mentioned in the application and Registration Number on the reverse, will not be considered. * Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) candidates are exempted from Application Fee. However, SC/ST and PWD candidates will have to send attested Caste Certificate and Medical Certificate of Board respectively by post to Administrative Officer (GA) duly indicating the Name, Post No. and Reg.No. on the reverse. Applications of candidates claiming SC/ST/PWD status and therefore exemption from Application Fee will be considered only if the duly attested Caste Certificate/Medical Certificate is received. * The DD/Caste Certificate/Medical Certificate and `No Objection Certificate' in respect of candidates employed under Central/State Govt/PSU/Autonomous Body should reach ISRO Headquarters, Bangalore within seven days of filing the applications by the candidates and in any case not later than 10-04-2009. Selection Process: * The qualification prescribed is the minimum requirement and the same does not automatically make candidates eligible for the interview. The candidate should have First Class in the Qualifying Degree ie, M.Lib or equivalent. Based on bio-data, initial screening will be conducted to short-list candidates for interview. Candidates short-listed will be called for interview, the schedule and venue of which will be intimated. Candidates attending the interview will be reimbursed to and fro second-class train fare by the shortest route from the address given in the application to the place of interview. Pay and Allowances: * Selected candidate will be appointed as Library Assistant -A in the pay band of Rs. 9300-34800 + 4200 (Grade Pay). Total emoluments (including DA, HRA, TA, etc) at present is Rs. 21300/- per month approximately in Bangalore. The employees will be governed by the New Pension Scheme. ISRO provides attractive benefits to its employees such as medical facilities for self and dependants, subsidized canteen, free transport [or in lieu transport allowance], limited housing facility for fresh entrants [or in lieu HRA], advances for purchase of conveyance, construction of house, Leave Travel Concession, Group Insurance, etc. * The DOS/ISRO has a periodical review system under which the accomplishments of Scientific/ Technical personnel are assessed and those found suitable will be promoted to higher grade as per the existing rules after a prescribed residency period without reference to vacancies, and as amended from time to time. Other Conditions/Instructions: * The posts are temporary, but likely to continue. * The appointees are liable to be posted in any of the Centres/ Units of the Indian Space Research Organisation/Department of Space situated anywhere in India as and when required. For details of ISRO Centres/Units, please visit http://www.isro.gov.in/isro_centres.htm * Candidates called for interview will have to produce all relevant original documents in proof of details furnished in their applications submitted on-line, at the time of interview. If any information furnished on-line is found to be wrong or false, the candidate will not be interviewed and TA will not be paid. * ISRO reserves the right not to fill up all or any of the posts, if it so decides. * Only Indian nationals need apply. * No interim correspondence will be entertained. * In case of any clarification candidates may send their mail to recruit(a)isro.gov.in Do not use 'Back' and 'Forward' button of your browser while filling up online application form. To get the online application form, please click on the Post Name below. Post Number Post Name Educational Qualification No.of Posts Reservation 01 Library Assistant-A Graduate + Master's Degree in Library Science/Library & Information Science with First Class or equivalent 01 UR UR- Un-reserved (General) JOIN ISRO AND SHAPE-UP YOUR CAREER SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH TALENTED SCIENTIST COMMUNITY SUPPORT NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ---------o---------- -- Abhishek Verma Parliament Library Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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IDENTITY CRISIS
by Sadasivan KP 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Dear All, It has become a common practice among the decision-making agencies/organizations in our country - be it UGC or AICTE or Pay Commissions or their implementing Committees in various Universities, IIMs, IITs, etc.- to bracket Librarians along with Physical Education Directors. By default ( or by 'mercy' ?) the LIS Professionals are put under this common umbrella ! Sometimes our fraternity feels it even as a 'great privilege' to have been 'granted' such an 'enviable (!) status' ! One has absolutely no intention to belittle the Physical Education Profession . But what is of serious concern is : Are the LIS Professionals such an insignificant species of professionals, always to be bracketed (at the tail end) with a group whose activity domain is totally different? Are we aware of the possible dangers of the 'chain action' of such a concept in various activity environments? Do we not have an identity of our own vis-a-vis the main stream academic & research pursuits ? Are we not playing a participatory / contributory / catalytic role in the academic and research programmes of the main stream - unlike the Physical Education Profession? Are we not better identifiable with the scholarly / learning groups in the Campuses ? Are we satisfied with the plea for 'academic status' by just getting salaries & scales alone ? My decades of experience with a couple of national R&D organizations in the country had helped me to observe / conclude that such institutions/organizations and serious scientists always recognized, acknowledged and appreciated the contributions made by Libraries & Librarians. They have understood the proximity and bondage of our activities with their research programmes. I am sure, our fraternity in the R&D sector, by and large, will subscribe to this view. Registrar of a University is not clubbed with DPE. Why not Librarians too? Is not the Librarian's status/role thus unique, if not closer to the academic community? Are we prepared to digest anything in the name of 'parity' ? This is a matter of deeper impact, interpretations and inferences in the backdrop of the professional image and identity of LIS. Our esteemed LIS Forum readers may comment. SADASIVAN KP Former Head, Library & Informatics NIIST (CSIR) , Trivandrum Tel. 919447903282 (Mob) E-Mail: kps31147(a)yahoo.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Business Information on Demand
by Dharmendra 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Infobridge launches India's first customized research and Information search services to meet your information requirements. Why you require this service: 1. No need to subscribe expensive database when your usage is once in while 2. You need to go search many database to answer one single query 3. Using and searching database is too complicated and unable to get the maximum out of it. 4. Lack of knowledge on cost effective but authentic database 5. You are unable to have your own researcher We know all your issues, Now simply E-mail your query at info(a)inforbridge.info we solve your information needs. Our Information Resources: 1. Indian Private and Public Company Data ( 0.6 Million) 2. Indian core Sectors and Industry profile -200 Industries 3. Global Industry profile country wise - 2000 Industries 4. Global Company profile 5. Country Reports and Country statistics 6. European Company Data -20 Million 7. Global company Credit Reports 50 Million 8. Global News alert and Archival Search 9. Trade Statistics - India and Global 10. Global Industry Data 11. Global Economic Data 12. Indian and Global Broker Reports 13. Commodity prices -Selective 14. Project Information 15. Tender Information 16. International Trade Data (India to World / World to India) 17. Exporters / Importers / Manufacturers information 18. List of Exporters / Importers country wise / sector wise 19. Many more areas...just raise your query.... You can also please check with us , if any other information you may require besides mentioned information type. Our service Charges: Minimum charge per query will be Rs.500. The charge per query will increase depending upon the Research and Information requirements and time consumption.Send all your query at info(a)inforbridge.info Looking forward to you queries. V.Moovendhan Infobridge Information Services Tel: +91-022-25961254/25960909 Mob: +91-9833595946 Mail: moovendhan(a)inforbridge.info www.infobridge.in -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Regarding SOUL 2.0 V/s Open Source Software
by Jagdish Arora 12 Mar '09

12 Mar '09

Dear colleagues, I have been carefully going through the comments on SOUL V/s open source software for past few days. I would like straighten-out a few points that were raised by Prof. Laxman Rao in his mail addressed to professional colleagues: 1. SOUL Software works on a self-sustenance model. The INFLIBNET Centre is not investing huge money on the Software. All expenses on the SOUL including, R & D, maintenance, salary for SOUL Coordinators, Technical Assistants, etc. is born from the sale of SOUL software, in fact, the Centre have saved funds from sale of SOUL and this savings is being now used for further strengthening the support system for SOUL; 2. SOUL support and maintenance system has been strengthened now. We had only two coordintors in the past. We have now deployed five SOUL Coordinators, two more will be engaged shortly. Each SOUL Coordinator can have two to three Technical Assistants depending upon the number of installations in a given region. In all, there will be seven Coordinators and 21 Technical Assistants. SOUL Software Support Unit is also functioning from the INFLIBNET Centre for past more than 8 months. Expenses on strenghthened support system is being born from income from SOUL software. 3. SOUL 2.0 has several new features and functionalities. Senior library professionals are advised to examine the product and then give their considered opinion. I am sure Prof. Laxman Rao did not have opportunity to see SOUL 2.0. A large number of library professionals have helped us with their feed-back during development of SOUL 2.0. Actual users were in involved in various phases of development. Feedback from most of the Library professionals has been highly positive for SOUL 2.0. My Software Team at the INFLIBNET Centre has worked day and night to bring the software to this stage. The 2nd version of Software was developed in a record time to less than one year. It is in-appropriate to criticize a product without even fully exploring its features and functionalities. 4. Dr. Satish Deshpande, Dr. Haravu, Dr. Sathyanarayana (JNTU), Dr. Goudar and other colleagues have already given their considered views about open source software and co-existence of other LMS packages. The SOUL Software has its own followers. We have more than 1800 installations and number is growing inspite of existence of several open source software. We are committed to all our existing clients. The software will be given free of cost to all our existing clients with all the support that they require. 5. The INFLIBNET Centre has set-up an Open Source Software Laboratory. Our scientists are working on all open source software including NewGenLib. I would like to re-iterate here that for most library science professionals, open source essentially means “free” software, they neither have expertise nor resources to customize it. I know a couple of big libraries who are struggling with open source software LMS packages without much success. It would be our endevour not only to provide support for all or selected open source software, but also contribute to their development. 6. The price of SOUL 2.0 and its associated services were fixed as per the guidelines laid down by the our Governing Board. We had to consider cost of inputs in terms of manpower, infrastructure, etc. However, we can revisit the prices, if desired. 7. As on now, the INFLIBNET is not considering to make SOUL 2.0 an open source given the fact that it is developed for Microsift OS, a proprietary OS. We are committed to develop it further, make it completely platform independent and then we may consider to make it open source. I would like to ensure the academic community and library professionals that the INFLIBNET Centre is doing its best and results are already visible. Thanks and regards Dr. Jagdish Arora Director, INFLIBNET Centre Opp. Gujarat University Guest House Post Box No. 4116, Navrangpura Ahmedabad, Gujarat - 380009 Tel: +91 79 26305702 (Direct) +91 79 26308528, 26304695,26305971 Mobile: 09974881882 Fax: +91 79 26300990 and 26307816 E-mail: jarora(a)inflibnet.ac.in; director(a)inflibnet.ac.in -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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UNESCO releases Digital archiving of audio content using WINISIS and Greenstone software: a manual for community radio managers
by Puna Das 12 Mar '09

12 Mar '09

UNESCO releases Digital archiving of audio content using WINISIS and Greenstone software: a manual for community radio managers 12-03-2009 (New Delhi) UNESCO Office in New Delhi has published Digital archiving of audio content using WINISIS and Greenstone software: a manual for community radio managers. This self-instructional handbook is aimed at helping managers of community and FM radio stations, public service broadcasting agencies and any other organizations that deal with audio files create prototype archives of digital audio documents. Free and open source software (FOSS) helps digital inclusion of citizens in developing countries through easy-to-get and socially useful applications. UNESCO’s information processing tools assist many grassroots institutions in disseminating information to local communities. Digital archive of a community radio station can be a knowledge repository containing collective wisdom of indigenous people, as well as of regional communities and institutions. The South Asian sub-region is now at the nascent stage of community radio development, with the introduction of policy frameworks in India, Nepal and other countries. Community radio has a great development potential across the sub-region with ever increasing number of community radio stations. To maintain an archive of broadcasted contents is a legal obligation as a self-regulatory mechanism, however many stations are not equipped for doing this.. Moreover, community radio stations often need to re-use and re-broadcast many of their archived contents. This new publication is a reliable manual for digital archiving of multimedia contents, with special focus on community radio contents. Its users will find it helpful in their every-day work. The publication has its genesis in the recommendations and proceedings of two events, supported by UNESCO: National Consultation on Community Radio for Practising and Potential Community Radio Operators in India and National Consultation to Review Community Radio in Nepal, during which community radio station managers stressed the importance of archiving digital audio contents. In line with the needs of the community, the manual guides users in creating their own archives with stable, free software like WINISIS, GenISIS and Greenstone. The book also provides the URL addresses from where this software can be downloaded. The manual can be downloaded here: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/28434/12367893463digital_archiving_en.… http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=28434&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECT… Source: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=28438&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECT… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anup Kumar Das New Delhi, India http://anupkumardas.blogspot.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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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SOUL-NewGenLib-OpenSource Debate
by SatishDpnd＠Adroit 12 Mar '09

12 Mar '09

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.

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How to organize workshops and seminars more productive
by Vimal Kumar 12 Mar '09

12 Mar '09

Dear Friends, I am writing this piece for drawing the attention of library professionals who are going to organize workshops, seminar and other related events. Recently lot of announcements of such programmes received through popular online discussions forums. Most of the announcements contained minimum information and had no provision to know more about the programme. Library professionals are missing the opportunity to attend professional development activities due to the lack of getting proper information. Getting professional training and knowledge enhancement through various programmes are important for professional development. Library professionals who are involved in organizing continuing education programme deserve appreciation. Organizers should care to capture and disseminate the knowledge emanated in professional development activities. In most of the cases, no facilities arranged to capture the talk and seem no related activities after the programs. Here are my humble suggestions to make the career development programmes more worth. 1. Create a workshop/seminar website. If no technical help available, make use a blog service for this purpose. Blogs are suitable for fast and frequent content updating. 2. Provide maximum details in website. Organise information under various heads, e.g. Registration, Paper submission, Accommodation, etc. Schedule the sessions as early as possible. 3. Avoid displaying entire brochure in picture format in website. Huge brochure file will take time to display the content. 4. Make use Open Conference Systems (http://pkp.sfu.ca/?q=ocs) to automate conference activities. 5. Announce the seminar/workshop at least 30 days before. It will help the working professionals to obtain permission from authority and make arrangement for travel. 6. Remember to give programme website link in discussion forum posting. 7. If organizers have no plan to publish submitted papers, make arrangement for archive papers in institutional or any public repository (e.g. http://eprints.rclis.org) 8. Make available workshop kit online after the event. 9. Arrange facilities for post conference discussions. 10. Record key talks and publish it online using streaming audio/video services (e.g. youtube.com) In this way, library professionals not able to attend the programmes can access the content of the seminar/workshop. -- Vimal Kumar V. Asst. Librarian Asian School of Business Technopark, Trivandrum-695 581 Web: www.asb.edu.in/vimal/ Blog: http://vimalkumar.oksociety.in OK Society Volunteer. http://oksociety.in --------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I forget what I was taught. I only remember what I have learnt" -Patrick White -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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SOUL-INFLIBNET-NEWGENLIB (I.R.N.Goudar) (Saitra Sirohi) and ohers
by Jai Haravu 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Dear Members A number of useful thoughts have emerged from the discussion on SOUL, Inflibnet's role, NewGenLib and Koha. I would also like to add to the discussion, hopefully in an objective and non-partisan manner. 1.. First and foremost we need to accept the fact that open source solutions (in all domains and application areas) are increasingly considered to be not only credible alternatives but also cost-effective in the long run if the community behind such software is an active participant. Good examples of strong communities are seen in Koha and Evergreen. 2.. Part of the reason why Koha and Evergreen have strong communities is because of strong social and cultural influencess in the countries where they are most actively used, e.g., USA. I must comment here that in India, we do not have the same approach either because we don't think it is needed or simply we do not have the needed infrastructure. For instance, even today many libraries in India do not have relaible Internet access. In such cases, how can we expect better community participation. The extent to which members of a community support each other (in spite of commercial support) in India leaves much to be desired. I am afraid, our score card on sharing our resources and knowledge freely with other professionals via forums and local associations is poor. 3.. NewGenLib is a good example of inadequate community involvement. We have trained over 1000 library and IT staff in India in NewGenLib but we do not see many of them participating in community forums. 4.. I agree with Mr Mahesh of NISCAIR, that in a competitive world, all manner of products have a place in the sun. Libraries should be free to choose what they consider is useful to them. 5.. I believe that an important consideration in choosing a software is the extent to which it supports local practices. I am aware that NewGenLib has attempted to cater to the many practices (some may not be considered good practices) that libraries in India follow. For instance, some libraries still ask for quotations from vendors before they place orders for books. I know for sure that in NewGenLib we have been called upon (often at great expense) to customize the software to suit a unique requirement in a library. Similarly, in India, bodies such as AICTE and NAAC ask for ceratin types of reports during their annual inspection visits. Software developed in India (SOUL and NewGenLib) would have provided for these. 6.. Equally important is the potential that a software has to take note of and leverage new technologies, and of the rapid shifts that are taking place, e.g., the need for API's, web services, open schemas and social web features. 7.. All said and done, I would agree with the view that SOUL should also be made open source so that there would be more options for libraries. When a poorly funded venture behind NewGenLib could be made open source, I really do not see why a well funded, quasi-governmental agency cannot make it open source. 8.. Finally, I would like to state that in this world "There is no such thing as a Free Lunch". Open source developers have to survive and if they charge for services these should be paid for willingly. Koha has the backing of commercial companies in the US and elsewhere and I am sure they will not be sustainable only wth Koha if libraries do not pay for services. In the case of NewGenLib, I am aware that we have many problems convincing libraries and managements that open source does not mean FREE, it is more abour FREEDOM of choice, freedom to change, freedom from vendor hegemony, freedom to ask for new features, etc.. Thanks. Haravu Trustee, Kesavan Inst of Information and Knowledge Management 1.. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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FREE Open Access-Conf
by I.R.N.Goudar 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

NO REGISTRATION FEE (All are welcome, PLEASE FORWARD THIS MAIL TO INTERESTED, Circulate in your Institute for Faculty, Scientists, LIS staff,etc.) One Day Conference on Scholarly Communication in India in the Age of the Commons(Open Access) 26th March, 2009: 9.30AM - 4.15PM Venie: S.R. Valluri Auditorium National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore-560017 --------------- ORGANIZERS: National Aerospace Laboratories (as a part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations) Indian Academy of Sciences Centre for Internet and Society PARTICIPANTS: Welcome to Policy makers, Academicians, Scientists, Editors, Publishers, Media persons, Librarians, etc. TOPICS COVERED: Scholarly Communication, Research Publication Issues, Copyrights of Publishing Authors, Publishers Attitude, Open Access (OA) Movement, OA Scenario in the World and India OA Declarations, OA Channels: OA Journals, Repositories, OA Policy: National and Institutional Level, OA Challenges: Economic, Societal Impact of OA on Science Communication INAUGURAL KEYNOTE: Prof. HS Mukunda, Vice President, Indian Academy of Sciences SPEAKERS: Prof. John Willinsky, Stanford University Prof. Leslie Chan, University of Toronto Dr D K Sahu, MedKnow Publications Dr. Sunil Abraham, Director, Centre for Internet and Society PANEL DISCUSSION: 2.45 - 4.15 pm "Scholarly Communication and Openness: Emerging Trends" Prof. P Balaram, Director, IISc & Editor, Curr. Sci. CHAIRMAN Prof. John Willinsky, Stanford University Panelist Prof. Leslie Chan, University of Toronto Panelist Dr. A.R. Upadhya, Director, NAL Panelist Mr. N.V. Sathyanarayana, MD,Informatics India Panelist Prof. Subbiah Arinachalam, Centre for Internet and Soc. Panelist BACKGROUND: Open Access to the scientific literature means the removal of barriers, including price barrier, for accessing scholarly work. In today's knowledge based society the advent of Internet and widespread and easy access to scientific information are facilitating research and innovation. Open Access is not only changing the nature of scholarly communication but even the way research is carried out. Indeed open access is the bedrock on which the emerging global research library initiative is being built. Scientists and scientific institutions in India - some of them to be precise - have moved up in the value chain in that they access information and disseminate their findings often through barrier-free electronic channels. Out of about 4500 open access journals (OAJ) world over, India accounts for 150 titles. The major Indian contributors for OAJ include Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, MedKnow Publications and NISCAIR. About 50 institutes have set up their institutional open access repositories including IISc, NAL, NIO, RRI, IIAP, IITs, etc. Prof. Samir Brahmachari, Director General of CSIR, came up with the Open Source Drug Discovery programme as an alternative to the traditional patent-driven model of drug research. Recently CSIR has adopted open access policy as recommended by its Group of Open Access Science Publications. Thus open access - both for accessing worldwide information and for making our own research more visible - is not new to India. But one must admit that considering the size of India's research and higher education enterprise what we have achieved so far is utterly inadequate to commensurate with our ambition to become a knowledge power. We have a long way to go. And the first step is to adopt open access nationwide. This one day conference on "Conference on Scholarly Communication in India in the Age of the Commons" is organized to take stock of the current developments in Open Access and to highlight the issues that would need to be addressed to enable a wider access to scientific knowledge and to enhance the visibility of research performed in India. PS: While spot registration is allowed, we request you to kindly register through e-mail along with name, designation, address, contact telephone and e-mail. We have not made any arrangements for accommodation. Conference Site: http://www.icast.org.in/events/OA-Conf.html For more information please contact: Dr I R N Goudar Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST National Aerospace Laboratories Airport Road, BANGALORE-560017 Tel:080-25086080 Fax:25260862 Email: goudar(a)nal.res.in -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Tel: 91-80-25086081 Sci G & 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.

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Admission in Online Certificate Courses
by Charu 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Respected Friends, Greetings for the day, Indian Law Institute, Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi has announced following *Online Certificate Courses* for *April 2009* batch… *1. **Cyber laws* (This course will cover the fundamentals of Cyber Law and Cyber World, Regulatory Framework, Cyber Crime and E-Commerce) *2. **Intellectual Property Rights and Information Technology in this Internet Age* (This course will cover the basic laws of Patents, Copyright, Trademarks and Management in IPRs) *Duration:* Three months commencing form 1st April 2009. *Fees:* Rs. 3500/- or 150 US $ (for foreign students) *Last Date:* *31st Mach 2009.* * * Application Form and other relevant details can be accessed from ILI’s website, i.e. www.ilidelhi.org. Regards, Miss Charu Mathur. Delhi. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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ISiM Development Dialogue (1) with Dr. Jessica Wallack, March 11, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
by Angrosh 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

International School of Information Management, University of Mysore ISiM Development Dialogue (1) Date: March 11, 2009 Time : 3.00 PM to 4.30 PM "Knowledge is power. Information is empowering" Development Dialogues is a series of small group interactive sessions to understand the different dimensions and challenges of development, especially from the perspective of transformative potential of data for development and democracy. An initiative called, WikiGyan - Data for decision making, democracy and development is currently underway at ISiM. WikiGyan is an effort to build both tools and systems for data management, data analytics, and visualisation. Huge amounts of data is generated and collected by the governments, non governmental organisations, academic and other organisations, across societal issues - elections, health, literacy, etc. WikiGyan facilitates the management of such societal data for development. The Development Dialogue (1) scheduled for March 11, 2009 at 3.00 PM will have the following two scholars: Dr. Jessca Wallack, Director, Centre for Development Finance and Professor, Institute for Financial and Management Research, Chennai Ms. Shannon Stanhake, Senior Researcher, Centre for Development Finance, Chennai Discussants in this Dialogue include the following: Mr. P. Manivannan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Mysore Mr. R.L. Rinawma, Commissioner of Income Tax, Mysore Prof. V.K.Natraj Prof. P.K.Mishra Prof. Umapathi Brief Bio of the Scholars Dr. Jessica Wallack Dr. Jessica Wallack is Director of the Centre for Development Finance and Professor, Institute for Financial and Management Research. Her work focuses on the factors that create successful partnerships and dialogue between entrepreneurs, NGOs, corporations, and governments. Current projects include research on the politics and economics of private participation in infrastructure development in India and Latin America as well as evaluation and design of various e-governance technologies for local governments in India. She is also working on several projects on generation and dissemination of development data, and especially on data's potential role in supporting activism and local government performance. Dr. Wallack holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.A. from Harvard University. Ms. Shannon Spanhake Ms. Shannon Spanhake is Senior Researcher at Centre for Development Finance. She was recently named Grace Hopper's "Top 100 Women Innovating Science and Technology" and was rewarded with a NextEarth Fellowship after reaching the semi-finalist round in the Buckminster Fuller Inventor's competition. Her research investigates the transformative potential for technology to enable policy discourse by providing access and legibility to information through alternate modes of articulation in the production of knowledge. Spanhake serves as a technology adviser to the Ministry of the Environment and the Department of Energy in Peru, the IDA of Singapore, and is collaborating with Science agencies in both Nigeria and the UK. Thanks and regards Angrosh ********************************************* Angrosh M.A. Project Manager International School of Information Management University of Mysore, Manasagangotri Mysore - 570 006 Tel: +91-821-2514699; +91-821-2411417 Fax: +91-821-2519209 Email: angrosh(a)isim.ac.in ********************************************** -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Views on Forums Postings
by DINESH SIDDAIAH 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Views on Forums Postings I would like to express few things about Barman reply on activitie sof various Forums. Some of the issues repeatedly appearing in the forums may be boring to old members, but it is really useful to new members. If i reply about job posting, I think only few might have settled in LIS jobs, what about others who are looking for better opportunities. I feel job updates should be there. And you are telling forum news are wasting of time. If u feel it is waste of time you pl. skip the known postings. I feel LIS forum realling doing good except few repeated issues. This is my personal opinion. 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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NewGenLib workshop
by Jai Haravu 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Dear Members A reminder that the next hands-on workshop on NewGenLib will be held during 24-26 Mar 2009 at the Dept. of Library and Information Science (DLIS), Mysore University. The workshop, designed as an intensive one and will emphasize both concepts as well an individual hands-on exercises. The details of the workshop and registration for it can be downloaded from: http://www.verussolutions.biz/web/newgenlib_workshop_mysore.doc Haravu -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Required Librarian / Asst.Librarian for an Engineering College - Hyderabad
by Sridhar K 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

Dear All Aryabhata Institute of Technology & Science Engineering College requires the following Library Professionals from Hyderabad region, Please may forward your resumes to the maild id given below 1. Libraian - 01 - MLISc with good exposure to computer knowledge 2. Asst. Libraian - 01 - MLISc/BLISc with good exposure to computer knowledge Aryabhata Institute of Technology & Science Near Maheshwaram 'X" Roads, Rangareddy Dist. Andhra Pradesh e-mail: kanakanala(a)gmail.com for further information visit the website - www.aryabhata-its.ac.in -- K SRIDHAR REDDY BMKC, Hyderabad -- 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] SOUL-INFLIBNET-NEWGENLIB
by gmahesh＠niscair.res.in 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

Dear Members, Dr. Goudar has raised certain very valid points. We need to certainly laud the efforts that have gone into the development of NewGenLib. The software has emerged as a globally competitive open source ILMS and that is a commendable feat which all of us should feel proud about. But in a free market, I am not sure if it is appropriate to align with any one product as suggested. Dr. Goudar himself has pointed out that many softwares in the past did not survive. That is because these softwares were not accepted by libraries for whatever reasons including poor after sales, no marketing, partially developed and so on. Therefore, in my humble opinion, we should with an open mind accept the developments that are happening, be it Koha, SOUL or NewGenLib and leave it to the libraries to adopt whichever software they are comfortable with. Regards, G. Mahesh NISCAIR ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using NISCAIR's web mail service. "" http://niscair.res.in/ -- 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] SOUL-INFLIBNET-NEWGENLIB (I.R.N.Goudar)
by savitra sirohi 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

All, As part of a private sector software company offering commercial services for Koha, kindly allow me to offer my 2 cents on this interesting topic: 1. Why ignore Koha: the discussion inexplicably ignores Koha. Dr. Goudar even said "stop promoting Koha". Let us remember following about Koha vis a vis Newgenlib: * Wider worldwide installed base * Stronger vendor support (14 worldwide) * Wider and more active user community * Stronger feature set * A true open source software (also older) that over time has matured the powerful open source software development processes The future potential of any open source software is directly related to these factors and in my view it is likely Koha will retain and even extend its advantages over other packages. 2. SOUL as open source: This is an interesting thought. The market is better served by several competing open source and commercial packages. The problem is SOUL is Windows based. Windows licenses will likely become a barrier to adoption and market adoption is the oxygen that drives open source software development. But SOUL can only benefit by becoming open source, this might be something worth trying. 3. Open Source Software Support & Role of Government entities: People have called for Government entities to support open source software. This is a welcome move, but the implicit assumption is that the private sector is unwilling or unable to offer services at low rates. Would like to point out that today we are 1 of 3 private companies offering Koha support in India. Our rates are comparable to those offered by Government entities. Also the private sector in general is more innovative, responsive and service oriented. Governments should to get involved only in case of market failures, today when India is an IT powerhouse, taxpayer's money is better spent on more pressing areas. A transparent, competitive, mostly private sector ecosystem will best serve the consumers and the country. Thank You, Savitra Sirohi MD, Nucsoft OSS Labs http://www.osslabs.biz > > ------------------------------ > > 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 > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:25:02 +0530 (IST) > From: I.R.N.Goudar <goudar(a)css.nal.res.in> > To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > Subject: [LIS-Forum] NewGenLib-What next? > > > Dear Professionals, > > Great news! NewGenLib, library automation software has become open source > software. I appreciate the initiative and gesture of Dr. LJ Haravu and his > team of Keshvan Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management, > Hyderabad and also those who are behind this move. I am proud of this unique > gift for L&IS and KM community in the world by Indian librarian community. I > have seen the demonstration of this software, it uses open source platforms and > other tools, confirms to open source standards unlike many commercial software. > The features and the functionalities are of high standard. I am quite sure that > this move will revolutionise library automation and digital library activities > in a big way especially in India. > > This welcome development raises many questions: > > a. What would be the role of Mr. Haravu and his colleagues now onwards? > b. Who would support the further development of NewGenLib? > c. Who would give the support for installation, customization and > porting the whole data if one would like to migrate to this software? > > d. What about the libraries who have baought NewGenLib earlier? etc > > I have following suggestions in this matter: > > a. Few Government institutions like DESIDOC, DSIR, NIC, INFLIBNET and > Erstwhile INSDOC also have developed library automation software like > Maithriyee, Sanjay, SOUL, E-Granthalaya, Granthalaya, Suchika, etc. I > strongly feel that all these institutions and others interested should put > their efforts in further development and implementation of NewGenLib in all > academic, specialized, public and industrial libraries in India in a synergized > manner instead of wasting their manpower, time and money on their products. > > b. All Indian LIS schools should teach NewGenLib software as a part of their > curriculum. Institutions like, DRTC, NCSI, NISCAIR can take the lead for > developmental activities and training program. Keshavani Institute should get > sizeable aid from Governmental agencies to carry forward the activity. Dr. > Haravu's group can help the individual libraries for installation, > customization, porting, etc and charge nominally for the service. > > c. National Knowledge Commission, ILA, IASLIC, SIS and other library > associations should make note of this development and extend suitable help and > guidance. > > d. Departments of Public Libraries of different states should not only adopt > this software, but try to extend their help in the development of this > software. > > e. We should stop promoting KOHA in our country. > > f. All professionals should come forward in further development of NewGEnLib > and should help to compile good manual. Better we have a discussion group > specifically meant for this puepose. > > g. NewGenLib has a nice module for Union Catalogue. We should make use of this > to have Union Cataloges say of all Universities, State level Public Libraries, > all CSIR Labs, etc. > > Initially we should hold one day brain storming round table meeting of > selected 15-20 top level Indian librarians in the country who have > successfully automated their libraries in a big way and few LIS Faculty along > with Dr. Haravu and his technical team. I request Dr. ARD Prasad of DRTC to > take a lead in this matter. > > ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS AND HEARTFELT THANKS TO DR. HARAVU AND KESHAVAN > INSTITUTE. > > 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.

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Re: [LIS-Forum] Fw: INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul 2.0 - Very Expencive for College
by Dr. S M.SHAFI 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

The reaction of prof . Laxman Rao is timely and significant . The professionals and leaders should debate , experiment and resOlve to adopt FOSS in their profeesional endeavours. but it does not absolve associtions and nationals institutions of their prime duty to DEVELOP, upgrade VARIOUS softwares with due concern to the economics keepig in view number and level of libraries for overalll development of the society. best wishes Prof S M SHAFI On Sun, 08 Mar 2009 Prof.N.Laxman Rao. wrote : > >helo friends > >it is so unfortunate many have purchased SOUL and are experiencing both gud and bad. why can't they write their experiences. INFLIBNET is an institution and people come and go, but Institution survives. we had lot of expectations from the earlier heads including the present head, who is efficient, successful and matured professional. > >people must be able to forward their real (no bias) reactions both negative and positive. It is so sad that we do not react on any issue especially burning issues relating to our profession. we need to also OBJECTIVELY react on several issues such as performance of associations, organisations (such as NISCAIR, NATIONAL LIBRARY) book depositary act, NKC recommendations (i want to bring to ur notice that the Central Advisory Board of Education, CABE has rejected recommendations). > >LET US NOT TAKE THE INDIVIDUALS AS A CASE AND KEEP QUITE DUE TO OUR RELATION / OBLIGATION TO THEM AS THE INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSION IS IMPORTANT. > >I WROTE THE COMENT ON SOUL based on more than 100 installations in Andhra Pradesh, where not more than single digit (if i am right it is just two colleges are using partially (one of them is Mr Laxma Reddy). our comments and reactions enables the concerned to re-examine the issues for better. > >as some one suggested that the cost of SOUL is also very high. one of the comment that is stated is that it is gud on the basis of evaluation but not on real use? even the INFLIBNET can opt for NEWGENLIB and develop and provide service (iam not an advocate for single software). we can also think of other open source software also? we can see the LINUX, a open source software the way it is developing at faster rate. > >ULTIMATELY IT IS THE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE TO USE AND ENJOY OR SUFFER BY CHOOSING A SOFTWARE. > >WITH MANY YOUNGSTERS, WHO ARE DYNAMIC NEED TO COME FORWARD AND CLAIM UR RIGHT TO LEARN AND WORK. > >WITH BEST WISHES TO ALL MY PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS > >LAXMAN RAO > >--- On Sat, 7/3/09, S K DEsale <skdesale(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > From: S K DEsale <skdesale(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Fw: INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul 2.0 - Very Expencive for College librararies > > Date: Saturday, 7 March, 2009, 11:22 AM > > Dear Professionals, > > > > SOUL is also good software and it is also good to see that > > INFLIBNET is come > > up with new version.Since INFLIBNET already spend lot of > > time and money on > > SOUL so there is no point in discarding this software. > > Instead of that > > INFLBNET should think of making it open source. This will > > save > > INFLIBNET from spending on development of this software. > > INFLIBNET should > > spend more on training of this software so that more and > > more people start > > using this software. It will help to identify the problems > > in software and > > those can be corrected. > > > > I am agreed with Prof Rao that NEWGENLIB is better > > software. I have > > installed NEWGENLIB but I have problem in importing data > > from libsys to > > NEWGENLIB. Can anybody guide me on that? > > > > On 3/5/09, Prof. N. Laxman Rao. <naglaxman(a)yahoo.com> > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > dear friends > > > i hav one question to all of u, do u think tht the > > SOUL satisfy the needs > > > of academic institution. every one feels tht it is not > > user friendly and the > > > features are not really tht gud. still the INFLIBNET > > is spending huge money > > > on development and in turn we donot get service. > > regarding the product i > > > request all the professionals to give their practical > > expereince in view of > > > other software including NEWGENLIB. > > > i feel tht whn such a wonderful software is there the > > INFLIBNET shd make > > > attempts to develop the open source software and train > > the library > > > professionals from colleges in using the software. let > > the INFLIBNET join > > > with the KESAVAN INSTITUTE with a MOU and provide > > cheap but better service. > > > i will appreciate all the professionals to react > > whether the INFLIBNET shd > > > spend money on unfinished product with no or meagre > > support? > > > > > > an expert director, Dr Jagdish Arora shd seriously > > think of this and let > > > the INFLIBNET NOT waste on these things? > > > > > > thanks > > > laxman rao > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 5/3/09, ravindra kale > > <kale_ravi(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > > From: ravindra kale <kale_ravi(a)yahoo.com> > > > > Subject: INFLIBNET has launched new Version of > > Soul 2.0 - Very Expencive > > > for College librararies > > > > Date: Thursday, 5 March, 2009, 11:39 AM > > > > Respected Moderator, > > > > > > > > Kindly published this massage. > > > > > > > > Dear Library Professionals, > > > > > > > > Today, INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul > > 2.0. The > > > > Terms and Condition and price are available on > > the following > > > > link. > > > > > > > > http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/soul/SOUL2rates.pdf > > > > > > > > > > > > The Price is too expensive. INFLIBNET had > > introduced - > > > > AMC- Annual Maintenance Charges. As UGC Funded > > Institution > > > > like INFLIBNET Should rethink about the Price > > structure. > > > > Specially In Limited Version / College version > > they should > > > > provide the Software between the price 15,000 To > > 20,000 > > > > Rupees and 1 lak records and AMC âShould be > > maintain > > > > between 3,000 to 5,000 Thousand Rupees. This is > > my humble > > > > request and suggestion To Dr. Jagdish Arora, > > Director, > > > > INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad. > > > > This is what I feel and want to share with you. > > Kindly give your > > > > suggestions. > > > > > > > > > > > > Ravindra Suryakant Kale > > > > Librarian > > > > Narmada College of Management > > > > MBA Programme, > > > > Shukla Tirth Road > > > > Zadeshwer â 392 011 > > > > Bharuch > > > > Gujarat > > > > Email : kale_ravi(a)yahoo.com > > > > Phone : 9427159186 > > > > Dated : 05/03/2009 > > > > > >-- >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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Database of LIS professional in India: Please Sing Up.
by Badan Barman 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Respected Forum Members, Please register with us (Sign Up) over: http://lislinks.ning.com/ to have a near complete database of LIS professional in India. You can search the already entered records of the database via http://lislinks.ning.com/profiles/members/advancedSearch Thanking you Yours faithfully (Sri Badan Barman) Academic Consultant -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Formation of LIS Leadership Forum – Suggestions, opinions sought from experts and fellow professionals
by DINESH SIDDAIAH 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Dear LIS Professionals, *Formation of LIS Leadership Forum – Suggestions, opinions sought from experts and fellow professionals * *Aim:* To promote leadership qualities in budding, young LIS professionals. *Motive:* The motive of creating this leadership forum is to enhance leadership qualities in young, budding LIS professionals who are in search of platforms and make them to contribute their services to the profession and to the society to a greater extent. *Review: * Many experts in the field may contemplate that why we should need forum like this as already existing associations and endowments doing similar activities and they are working fine. But, the approach of this forum is different and it wants to address real challenges and threats currently encounter LIS profession. In western countries this profession is considered to be one among the top ten professions and it may be influence of highest literacy rate and more engaged in scientific and engineering activities. In our country our profession is in pathetic condition except few who doesn’t want to raise their voice to people suffering in different levels. Of course very few are doing well. * * *Objectives: * 1. To enhance the leadership qualities in young and budding LIS professionals 2. To upgrade the experienced professionals towards emerging trends and technologies 3. Promoting Reading habits in Rural and backward areas 4. To empower ourselves 5. To make more effective and efficient in working 6. To build teams and enhance the team work 7. To improve communication Skills 8. To create Motivation 9. Professional enrichment 10. Exploring new avenues * * *Events & Activities:* 1. Organizing Discussions / Interactions with experts. 2. Conducting Training Programs from top managers from management, IT and LIS. 3. Invited Lectures 4. Workshops 5. Other Innovative programs 6. Teleconferencing with the overseas experts 7. Other progressive activities 8. Arranging promotional camps in rural and backward areas *Memberships:* All the LIS professionals can become members of the leadership forum There will not be any registration charges for the members Registration will be done through online Initially it will start from Bangalore and it will extend to the other areas / cities *Financial Assistance:* The forum will function through sponsorships of business organizations, institutions, professional bodies, colleges, professional friend’s assistance and other corporations. *Appeal:* Our sincere appeal to our entire professional is to contribute your knowledge, experience, expertise to this leadership forum and embrace in building our profession par with other well established profession and it is possible only with all our professional friends help and cooperation. * * Kindly offer you suggestions, modifications, comments, opinions. After thorough analysis of all your views the forum will function. Send your views to: lislforum(a)gmail.com Thanking You, ----- Posted on behalf of LIS Leadership-Forum by Dr. Dinesh K. S. Librarian (Sl.Gr.) NCET, Bangalore. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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DRTC Annual seminar
by DRTC - General 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Indian Statistical Institute Documentation Research & Training Centre Bangalore560059, India SEMINAR on SPATIAL INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, ANALYSIS, REASONING AND MODELLING March 18-20, 2009 Website: www.isibang.ac.in/~sirarm Data related to various natural, anthropogenic and socio-economic phenomena are now available in numerous formats, most significant of which is spatial data that facilitate visualization at spatio-temporal intervals. Availability of such data from a wide range of sources in a variety of formats poses challenges to Geographic Information Science (GISci) community. The utility and application of such data could be substantially enhanced through developments in technologies related to:  Retrieval: Retrieval of noise-free information in the forms of themes (layers) from data requires robust image processing, spatial information theory techniques.  Analysis: Once theme-specific layered information is retrieved, techniques are required to analyse themes.  Reasoning: Theme specific layered information need to be integrated via spatial relationships and reasoning. Certain map algebraic concepts are of use.  Modelling: Spatio-temporal behaviour of a phenomenon needs to be visualized Much success has been achieved in the proper usage of data by addressing the above four aspects by individual groups. It is now at understandable level and there are overlaps between the concepts that emerged from different fields to deal with the above four aspects. In light of these overlaps, there exist demands to choose appropriate mathematical techniques that can offer robust solutions. As it stands, there are various techniques (e.g. mathematical morphology, fuzzy set theory, rough set theory, granular computing, map algebra) to address the challenges. The motivation stems from the following observation. For groups, which are familiar with both spatial information theory and theories involved in digital image processing and analysis, most of these ideas are quite familiar. But, surprisingly there has been little interaction between the groups respectively familiar with image processing and spatial information theory. This seminar is intended to serve as a forum for bringing together specialists in those two groups and facilitate interaction. Location: The seminar will be held in the Indian Statistical Institute-Bangalore Centre. It is about 55kms from Bangalore International Airport. Indian Statistical Institute, 8th Mile, Mysore Road, RVCE Post, Bangalore 560 059, Phone: 91 80 28483002/3/4/5/6, Fax: 91 80 28484265. ISI-Bangalore Web Page: http://www.isibang.ac.in. Seminar Website: www.isibang.ac.in/~sirarm List of Invited Speakers: Sankar Kumar Pal, John G Stell, Sanghamitra Bandyopadhya, R. Krishnan, C Bhagavathi, V. Venugopal, P. Mukund Rao, P. Venkatachalam, A. Neelameghan, B. S. P. Rao. REGISTRATION DETAILS The number of participants will be restricted to 30 and admission to the Seminar will be strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. The Seminar Speakers will include experts from India and abroad and will be drawn from both the academia and industry. The Registration fee for the seminar is Rs. 1500/-. The fee covers the cost of course material, lunch and tea. The fee should be paid in the form of a Crossed Demand Draft payable at Bangalore drawn in favour of the Indian Statistical Institute. Accommodation at a nominal cost could be arranged for a limited number of participants on a first-come-first-served basis in the Guesthouses attached to the Indian Statistical Institute. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Registration Form -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seminar on SPATIAL INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, ANALYSIS, REASONING AND MODELLING 18th20th March 2009 Registration Form 1. Name 2. Designation and affiliation 3. Address 4. Telephone Number(s) 5. Demand Draft No, Name of the Bank and Date 6. Whether Accommodation is required? YES/NO For further details contact: B. S. Daya Sagar DRTC, Indian Statistical Institute 8th Mile, Mysore Road, Bangalore 560 059, India E-mail: bsdsagar(a)isibang.ac.in N.B.: For up-to-date extended details, please browse through the seminar website at: www.isibang.ac.in/~sirarm -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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SOUL-INFLIBNET-NEWGENLIB
by I.R.N.Goudar 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

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 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:25:02 +0530 (IST) From: I.R.N.Goudar <goudar(a)css.nal.res.in> To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] NewGenLib-What next? Dear Professionals, Great news! NewGenLib, library automation software has become open source software. I appreciate the initiative and gesture of Dr. LJ Haravu and his team of Keshvan Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management, Hyderabad and also those who are behind this move. I am proud of this unique gift for L&IS and KM community in the world by Indian librarian community. I have seen the demonstration of this software, it uses open source platforms and other tools, confirms to open source standards unlike many commercial software. The features and the functionalities are of high standard. I am quite sure that this move will revolutionise library automation and digital library activities in a big way especially in India. This welcome development raises many questions: a. What would be the role of Mr. Haravu and his colleagues now onwards? b. Who would support the further development of NewGenLib? c. Who would give the support for installation, customization and porting the whole data if one would like to migrate to this software? d. What about the libraries who have baought NewGenLib earlier? etc I have following suggestions in this matter: a. Few Government institutions like DESIDOC, DSIR, NIC, INFLIBNET and Erstwhile INSDOC also have developed library automation software like Maithriyee, Sanjay, SOUL, E-Granthalaya, Granthalaya, Suchika, etc. I strongly feel that all these institutions and others interested should put their efforts in further development and implementation of NewGenLib in all academic, specialized, public and industrial libraries in India in a synergized manner instead of wasting their manpower, time and money on their products. b. All Indian LIS schools should teach NewGenLib software as a part of their curriculum. Institutions like, DRTC, NCSI, NISCAIR can take the lead for developmental activities and training program. Keshavani Institute should get sizeable aid from Governmental agencies to carry forward the activity. Dr. Haravu's group can help the individual libraries for installation, customization, porting, etc and charge nominally for the service. c. National Knowledge Commission, ILA, IASLIC, SIS and other library associations should make note of this development and extend suitable help and guidance. d. Departments of Public Libraries of different states should not only adopt this software, but try to extend their help in the development of this software. e. We should stop promoting KOHA in our country. f. All professionals should come forward in further development of NewGEnLib and should help to compile good manual. Better we have a discussion group specifically meant for this puepose. g. NewGenLib has a nice module for Union Catalogue. We should make use of this to have Union Cataloges say of all Universities, State level Public Libraries, all CSIR Labs, etc. Initially we should hold one day brain storming round table meeting of selected 15-20 top level Indian librarians in the country who have successfully automated their libraries in a big way and few LIS Faculty along with Dr. Haravu and his technical team. I request Dr. ARD Prasad of DRTC to take a lead in this matter. ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS AND HEARTFELT THANKS TO DR. HARAVU AND KESHAVAN INSTITUTE. 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.

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Formation of LIS Leadership Forum – Suggestions, opinions sought from experts and fellow professionals
by DINESH SIDDAIAH 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Dear Professional Friends, Formation of LIS Leadership Forum – Suggestions, opinions sought from experts and fellow professionals *Aim:* To promote leadership qualities in budding, young LIS professionals Motive: The motive of creating this leadership forum is to enhance leadership qualities in young, budding LIS professionals who are in search of platforms and make them to contribute their services to the profession and to the society to a greater extent. Review: Many experts in the field may contemplate that why we should need forum like this as already existing associations and endowments doing similar activities and they are working fine. But, the approach of this forum is different and it wants to address real challenges and threats currently encounter LIS profession. In western countries this profession is considered to be one among the top ten professions and it may be influence of highest literacy rate and more engaged in scientific and engineering activities. In our country our profession is in pathetic condition except few who doesn’t want to raise their voice to people suffering in different levels. Of course very few are doing well. Objectives: 1. To enhance the leadership qualities in young and budding LIS professionals 2. To upgrade the experienced professionals towards emerging trends and technologies 3. Promoting Reading habits in Rural and backward areas 4. To empower ourselves 5. To make more effective and efficient in working 6. To build teams and enhance the team work 7. To improve communication Skills 8. To create Motivation 9. Professional enrichment 10. Exploring new avenues Events & Activities: 1. Organizing Discussions / Interactions with experts. 2. Conducting Training Programs from top managers from management, IT and LIS. 3. Invited Lectures 4. Workshops 5. Other Innovative programs 6. Teleconferencing with the overseas experts 7. Other progressive activities 8. Arranging promotional camps in rural and backward areas Memberships: All the LIS professionals can become members of the leadership forum There will not be any registration charges for the members Registration will be done through online Initially it will start from Bangalore and it will extend to the other areas / cities Financial Assistance: The forum will function through sponsorships of business organizations, institutions, professional bodies, colleges, professional friend’s assistance and other corporations. Appeal: Our sincere appeal to our entire professional is to contribute your knowledge, experience, expertise to this leadership forum and embrace in building our profession par with other well established profession and it is possible only with all our professional friends help and cooperation. Kindly offer you suggestions, modifications, comments, opinions. After thorough analysis of all your views the forum will function. Send your views to: lislforum(a)gmail.com -- Posted on behalf of LIS Leadership Forum by Dr. Dinesh K. S. Librarian (Sl. Gr.), NCET -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Open Source Software - Free As In Markets
by Shriram Pandey 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Hello List members, This is a very good article on Open Source Software - Free As In Markets published in E-Government bulletin live.According to this “Free software is free as in markets, not free as in beer,” open source software analyst and trainer Nick Mailer told public sector delegates at this month’s Headstar masterclass on the use of open source solutions in the public sector.As this catchphrase suggests, free and open source software is not necessarily cost-free, but offers a freedom of ownership and use not possible with most proprietary software. Detail may be accessible at : http://www.headstar.com/egblive/?p=199 -- --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Regards, Shri Ram Pandey - Asst. Librarian The LNM Institute of Information Technology(LNM IIT) Jaipur(Rajasthan) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ -- 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] Fw: INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul 2.0 - Very Expencive for College librararies
by Prof. N. Laxman Rao. 08 Mar '09

08 Mar '09

helo friends it is so unfortunate many have purchased SOUL and are experiencing both gud and bad. why can't they write their experiences. INFLIBNET is an institution and people come and go, but Institution survives. we had lot of expectations from the earlier heads including the present head, who is efficient, successful and matured professional. people must be able to forward their real (no bias) reactions both negative and positive. It is so sad that we do not react on any issue especially burning issues relating to our profession. we need to also OBJECTIVELY react on several issues such as performance of associations, organisations (such as NISCAIR, NATIONAL LIBRARY) book depositary act, NKC recommendations (i want to bring to ur notice that the Central Advisory Board of Education, CABE has rejected recommendations). LET US NOT TAKE THE INDIVIDUALS AS A CASE AND KEEP QUITE DUE TO OUR RELATION / OBLIGATION TO THEM AS THE INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSION IS IMPORTANT. I WROTE THE COMENT ON SOUL based on more than 100 installations in Andhra Pradesh, where not more than single digit (if i am right it is just two colleges are using partially (one of them is Mr Laxma Reddy). our comments and reactions enables the concerned to re-examine the issues for better. as some one suggested that the cost of SOUL is also very high. one of the comment that is stated is that it is gud on the basis of evaluation but not on real use? even the INFLIBNET can opt for NEWGENLIB and develop and provide service (iam not an advocate for single software). we can also think of other open source software also? we can see the LINUX, a open source software the way it is developing at faster rate. ULTIMATELY IT IS THE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE TO USE AND ENJOY OR SUFFER BY CHOOSING A SOFTWARE. WITH MANY YOUNGSTERS, WHO ARE DYNAMIC NEED TO COME FORWARD AND CLAIM UR RIGHT TO LEARN AND WORK. WITH BEST WISHES TO ALL MY PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS LAXMAN RAO --- On Sat, 7/3/09, S K DEsale <skdesale(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: S K DEsale <skdesale(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Fw: INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul 2.0 - Very Expencive for College librararies > Date: Saturday, 7 March, 2009, 11:22 AM > Dear Professionals, > > SOUL is also good software and it is also good to see that > INFLIBNET is come > up with new version.Since INFLIBNET already spend lot of > time and money on > SOUL so there is no point in discarding this software. > Instead of that > INFLBNET should think of making it open source. This will > save > INFLIBNET from spending on development of this software. > INFLIBNET should > spend more on training of this software so that more and > more people start > using this software. It will help to identify the problems > in software and > those can be corrected. > > I am agreed with Prof Rao that NEWGENLIB is better > software. I have > installed NEWGENLIB but I have problem in importing data > from libsys to > NEWGENLIB. Can anybody guide me on that? > > On 3/5/09, Prof. N. Laxman Rao. <naglaxman(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > > > > > > > > dear friends > > i hav one question to all of u, do u think tht the > SOUL satisfy the needs > > of academic institution. every one feels tht it is not > user friendly and the > > features are not really tht gud. still the INFLIBNET > is spending huge money > > on development and in turn we donot get service. > regarding the product i > > request all the professionals to give their practical > expereince in view of > > other software including NEWGENLIB. > > i feel tht whn such a wonderful software is there the > INFLIBNET shd make > > attempts to develop the open source software and train > the library > > professionals from colleges in using the software. let > the INFLIBNET join > > with the KESAVAN INSTITUTE with a MOU and provide > cheap but better service. > > i will appreciate all the professionals to react > whether the INFLIBNET shd > > spend money on unfinished product with no or meagre > support? > > > > an expert director, Dr Jagdish Arora shd seriously > think of this and let > > the INFLIBNET NOT waste on these things? > > > > thanks > > laxman rao > > > > > > --- On Thu, 5/3/09, ravindra kale > <kale_ravi(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > From: ravindra kale <kale_ravi(a)yahoo.com> > > > Subject: INFLIBNET has launched new Version of > Soul 2.0 - Very Expencive > > for College librararies > > > Date: Thursday, 5 March, 2009, 11:39 AM > > > Respected Moderator, > > > > > > Kindly published this massage. > > > > > > Dear Library Professionals, > > > > > > Today, INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul > 2.0. The > > > Terms and Condition and price are available on > the following > > > link. > > > > > > http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/soul/SOUL2rates.pdf > > > > > > > > > The Price is too expensive. INFLIBNET had > introduced - > > > AMC- Annual Maintenance Charges. As UGC Funded > Institution > > > like INFLIBNET Should rethink about the Price > structure. > > > Specially In Limited Version / College version > they should > > > provide the Software between the price 15,000 To > 20,000 > > > Rupees and 1 lak records and AMC –Should be > maintain > > > between 3,000 to 5,000 Thousand Rupees. This is > my humble > > > request and suggestion To Dr. Jagdish Arora, > Director, > > > INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad. > > > This is what I feel and want to share with you. > Kindly give your > > > suggestions. > > > > > > > > > Ravindra Suryakant Kale > > > Librarian > > > Narmada College of Management > > > MBA Programme, > > > Shukla Tirth Road > > > Zadeshwer – 392 011 > > > Bharuch > > > Gujarat > > > Email : kale_ravi(a)yahoo.com > > > Phone : 9427159186 > > > Dated : 05/03/2009 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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INFLIBNET has launched new Version of Soul 2.0 - Very
by vinod mishra 07 Mar '09

07 Mar '09

  Dear Professionals, I do agree with Mr. laxman rao about developing of NEWGENLIB, Because if we have already a open source Library software like Newgenlib having features almost equal to other commercial package then we should not waste our time and money on developing other packages. We must take pain to develop open source package just like GSDL and Dspace for better solution of library automation in India. With regards, V.K.Mishra -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Koha V 3.0 Workshop at Mysore University on 9-10 April
by savitra sirohi 07 Mar '09

07 Mar '09

Dear Moderator, please allow me to post this again. The previous copy was in rich text and it appears the list server does not format such emails properly. Thanks, Savitra All, We are happy to announce a Koha v3.0 hands on workshop at Mysore University, details are given below. The Registration fee has been kept low and instructors will be software professionals experienced in live Koha implementations. Please note registration is on first cum first serve basis and a maximum of 30 seats are available in the computer lab. Thanks, Savitra Sirohi MD, Nucsoft OSS Labs http://www.osslabs.biz *********** UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE & NUCSOFT OSS Labs WORKSHOP ON KOHA Version 3.0 on THURSDAY , 9TH & FRIDAY, 10TH APRIL 2009 *********** VENUE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE MANASAGANGOTHRI UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE MYSORE -570 006 ********** LOCAL HOST DR.KHAISER NIKAM Chairperson khaiser.nikam(a)gmail.com (M) 098453 28672 *********** OSS Labs CONTACT MR. SAVITRA SIROHI savitra.sirohi(a)osslabs.biz (M) 097400 22664 *********** COURSE FEE RS.900/- (without accommodation) Payment by Cash (collected during workshop) or DD DD Drawn in Favor of "OSS Software Solutions Labs Pvt. Ltd." Last date for registration 31st March 2009 *********** COURSE CONTENT Koha Introduction Koha Features Review Participating in Koha Community Development Open Source Versus Commercial Packages Koha System Architecture Hardware Requirements Linux Installation Koha Installation System Administration Using Koha Modules Data Migration Zebra Search Configuration Multi-lingual Catalog RFID Integration Customizing Koha Troubleshooting & Support *********** ABOUT THE WORKSHOP Software DVDs will be provided Electronic training material will be provided Hands on Installation & Configuration Training Instructors with Experience in Several Live Koha implementations including: Delhi Public Library, Delhi DC Everest School District, USA Tailor Bird Commercial Library, Bangalore and more.. *********** -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Re INFLIBNET has released newversion of SOUL 2.0
by Jai Haravu 07 Mar '09

07 Mar '09

Dear Members I do not want to take sides regarding the views of Prof. Laxman Rao's and Mr. Ravindra Kale's postings on Lis-Forum. There is no doubt that INFLIBNET has spent many years of honest effort and expense in building, distributing and supporting SOUL via training, etc. Only the libraries who have used SOUL can comment on how useful or friendly, etc., it is. However, I would like to emphasize that the world over (including in the commercially oriented west), libraries are seriously moving towards open source solutions and the development of an open library environment via a project (www.oleproject.org) that is funded by the Mellon Foundation and under the leadership of Duke University and others. Other examples of the move towards open source solutions is the project of the eXtensible Catalog project (http://www.screencast.com/users/eXensibleCatalog) Evergreen, Koha are good examples of successful open source projects, both well funded and now commercially supported. In India too the Kesavan Inst. of Information and Knowledge Management (www.kiikm.org) together with a software company, Verus Solutions Pvt. Ltd., has championed the cause of open source via NewGenLib, the first Indian open source library management system (LMS). NewGenLib has been downloaded by more than 9000+ instns., worldwide and there is a growing community of users. Quite a few organizations in India have supported hands-on workshops on NewGenLib. Already two versions of the software have been released and a new version (3.0) is due for release this year. All components of NewGenLib's layers are open source ones. I might also add the following information: 1.. The new version (3.0) will have a Rich Internet Application (RIA) front-end and OPAC. 2.. We are in the process of signing an agreement with OCLC which will allow NewGenLib libraries to access WorldCat via an Application Programmers Interface (API) (and leverage WorldCat's social web features) expanding access to libraries implementing NewGenLib. 3.. The new version will have many customizable features and better support to web services of vendors such as Amazon, Google (e.g., Google Book Search, Google Scholar). 4.. KIIKM is committed to providing domain support and advice to ensure that NewGenLib is aware of new trends and technologies and applies relevant ones wherever possible. 5.. Data conversion, training and ongoing support services to open source NewGenLib users are provided at nominal costs and all support services are customer-specific and optional depending on their needs. I honestly believe that in a diverse world both SOUL and NewGenLib have a place but what is more important is the freedom that libraries must have to choose what they will use to automate their libraries. KIIKM and Verus Solutions are always open to collaboration with INFLIBNET or other organizations in India and abroad. Haravu Trustee, Kesavan Inst. of Information and Knowledge Management -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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