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

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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