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

RFID/Barcode Reader
by Anita Kumari 18 Apr '05

18 Apr '05

Dear Colleagues As we all know RFID is more advanced technology than barcode reader. For our libraries - Which is the better option-- RFID or Barcode Reader? Kindly share your practical experience. Thanks with Regards Anita Kumari Librarian IBM India Research Lab. Block - 1, Indian Institute of Technology Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016, India Phone : +91-11-2686 1100 Ext:2161 Fax : +91-11-2686 1555 E-Mail : anitkuma(a)in.ibm.com Dear Colleagues As we all know RFID is more advanced technology than barcode reader. For our libraries - Which is the better option-- RFID or Barcode Reader? Kindly share your practical experience. Thanks with Regards Anita Kumari Librarian IBM India Research Lab. Block - 1, Indian Institute of Technology Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016, India Phone : +91-11-2686 1100 �Ext:2161 Fax : +91-11-2686 1555 E-Mail : anitkuma(a)in.ibm.com

1 0

Loss of books in Libraries
by Benny 18 Apr '05

18 Apr '05

Dear Colleagues This is to ask expert opinion about the loss of books in libraries. I know of an Engineering College in Bangalore where they charge the Librarian for the loss of any books. The poor man tried his level best to convince the Management, but they are asking for rules and written documents to support his argument. Is there some provision which states that a loss of 4 books per 1000 can be considered or any rules from UGC or NCERT in this regard?. Thanks and with regards Benny Librarian TISB www.tisb.org

3 2

Fw: [eGovINDIA] Indian Language Processing Tools
by Subbiah Arunachalam 17 Apr '05

17 Apr '05

Friends (especially those in Africa): India has made some advances in local language software. Please see the material appended below. Africa can benefit from India's knowledge, rich experience and expertise. At the Africa Regioanla Meeting held at Accra (preparatory to the WSIS at Tunis), there was a session on language software and I drew the attention of Prof. Adama Samasekou to the possibility of Africa and India working together in this area. I also suggested that C-DAC and other Indian institutions could be contacted. Incidentally, as part of the Million Books project, Prof. N Balakrishnan of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and his team have developed some very good translation software. I-Network Uganda might wish to discuss these issues in one of its meetings. Best wishes. Arun [Subbiah Arunachalam] ----- Original Message ----- From: "eindiagov" <eindiagov(a)yahoo.com> To: <eGovINDIA(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 9:32 AM Subject: [eGovINDIA] Indian Language Processing Tools > > > Indian Language Processing Tools > http://tdil.mit.gov.in/nlptools/ach-nlptools.htm > > Internet Tools and Technologies Developed by the respective > Institutes/Organizations > Sanskrit Processing Tools Developed by the respective > Institutes/Organizations > Sanskrit Authoring System > Desika Software > Shabadbodha Software > Spell checkers > > > Internet Tools and Technologies Developed by the respective > Institutes/Organizations > > Java based Solutions : IIT Kanpur > > Displaying Web Documents through Negotiation and Dynamic > Rendering : Web authors create documents in a variety of languages > using a variety of character sets and fonts. It is not possible for > the viewer of the document to have all those fonts and character > sets present on his system. Thus either the client is required to > download the fonts or install these on his/her system or install > some software on his system to help in the process. For a truly > portable solution, the client need not specially install any fonts > or software on his system. > The Java-centric solution for displaying the Devanagari > documents has been developed. Java Applet using public domain > font `Bhagwan' displays the Devanagari documents in true type font. > The applet and the font related information is around 100k. The > Server Java Applet encodes the glyphs and sends it with the document > so that Hindi Font is not required at the client side for browsing > the document. Hindi Search engine has been developed on Linux > platform. > > Automatic Font Installer : The users are required to generally > download the fonts for viewing the non-roman web sites or manually > install the fonts, which is a cumbersome task. A single executable > has been developed to carry out the process whenever the user > chooses the font installation option. The font installer program > runs on the server and installs the fonts on the client machine. > > URL Addresses in Devanagari : The current browsers don't allow > URL and filling of forms in HTML pages to be entered in Hindi. > Therefore, the world wide web needs to be multi-lingualised. It > involves conversion of URL in the local language to the > internationally agreed format, such as UNICODE, with UTF-8 encoding. > The user will be able to fill the forms in the document fetched in a > local language. Further, the user is allowed to choose between a set > of languages in which to view the document, if the document is > available in various languages. The solution is based on the Swing > components in JDK1.2 and assumes the font to be present on the local > machine. > > Indian Language Search Engine : The search engine should allow > indexing and searching of Devanagari HTML documents. The basic > components are gatherer, indexer, and Search processor. Indexer and > Search processor are being designed as these two modules deal with > syntax and semantics of the language of the text. Indexer will > perform processing such as keyword extraction, stop word removal, > stemming (handling different forms of a word), handling of word > synonyms, and term weight calculation. Search Processor looks up the > index to find the documents containing the query keywords, calculate > a relevance score, and ranks them according to the score. This > search engine will also search the keywords occurred in a composite > word (combined according to `SANDHI' rules, for example s/w will > give a match for keyboard `ram' if it finds `rameshwar' in the > document). It is assumed that the documents are in ISCII. > > Heritage Website : The website has been developed containing > material concerning traditional Indian texts centred around > the `Upnishads and the Bhaagwadgita'. The functionality provided is: > There are font-downloading applications (.exe) files. > Users can download any Indian language font and > install the font. > The commentaries include some technical words, which > have Sanskrit origin. The definitions for such > technical words are displayed with a mouse click. > Links between related shlokas within the same > Upnishad/Gita for cross referencing > Each hyperised text has a search mechanism by which > user can locate the occurrence of any word and view > that particular shlokas with it's translation and > commentary. > User selected language for viewing the Mool > Shlokas > > CD Authoring Tools for Indian Language Documents : The > technologies that are being used for publishing on the www viz. > HTML, XML, Java, Javascript etc. are also being increasingly used > for document delivery over CDs. These days the entire computer > related documentation is accessible using the web browsers. It is > expected that this trend will pervade into non-technical publishing > also. The development of Indian Language CD Publishers > ToolBox, `site management' tools and searches integrated with a > dictionary are underway. > > ActiveX based Solutions - C-DAC, Pune > > Web based E-mail :Hindi e-mail service, has been developed which > uses advanced ActiveX technologies available with Internet Explorer > 4.0 and later versions of browsers for enabling the keyboarding and > fonts for Indian languages on the client PC. This service provides a > facility to type the text in Hindi language for sending an e-mail in > Hindi which gets converted into HTML format. This converted Hindi > text in HTML and with font codes is delivered at the Email address > of the user, who can just place it on any Web Page using any > standard HTML editor like Netscape Composer. > The software components namely ActiveX Controls and > Hindi Fonts get downloaded and installed on the client's computer > when the user first time accesses the system. Every time the user > accesses the e-mail server, a check is made for the installed > components. > To be able to send/view mail, the user must first > create an account on the system by defining login name and password. > An account holder on the system can send a message to any other > account holder. The user types in the message using the Inscript > keyboard overlay. The message is stored in a database. The data on > the server is stored in ISCII. When a request for reading an e-mail > message is received, the server retrieves the message from the > database and creates a HTML file containing the message with the > Hindi font information on the fly and delivers it. > Microsoft Visual Interdev is the IDE, which uses the > power of ASP (Active Server Pages) to make web pages and connect to > the back end Database using ODBC drivers for MS SQL server. Using > ASP, queries have been made to the database from the webpage. > ActiveX technology based Hindi e-mail, search engine and Bulletin > Board System has been developed. Hindi e-mail also stores documents > in ISCII format. > > Hindi Bulletin Board System : It is under development. This web > based application allows users to create topics for discussion and > maintains threads within a topic. > > Hindi Search Engine : Development is underway which involves the > following: > > Manually surf the net and build indexes for > documents in Hindi > Invite the Hindi language document creator to submit > web pages URL with page description and keyword > in Hindi to the search engine i.e. build a web > based application to collect data in Hindi > Build special search techniques for Hindi based on > word morphology/thesaurus/sandhi etc. > Deliver HTML document index description in Hindi for > search result. > Define standards for Meta-tags etc. for Indian > languages such that future spiders can retrieve > documents for a particular language > > Multi-lingul E-mail Client : A working prototype has been > developed to facilitate the clients for sending and receiving e- > mails in Hindi without having need to have Internet connection > provided sender and receiver both have this s/w. The application > will use technologies like MAPI, Extended MAPI and COM to > communicate with the interfaces provided by MS Exchange. The > application downloads all the mails received via the POP3 server and > stores them locally on the machine. This storage of mails is taken > care of by the MS-Exchange. The application provides access to > various folders like InBox, Sent Mails, Deleted Mials and OutBox for > convenience of the user. > > Sanskrit Processing Tools Developed by the respective > Institutes/Organizations > > DESIKA - Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), > Bangalore > > The Software package, DESIKA is a Natural Language > Understanding System for Sanskrit. This software incorporates > language generation and analysis modules for plain and accented > written Sanskrit texts. It is based on the principles of ancient > Indian Sciences. DESIKA aims to process all the words of Sanskrit, > includes generation and analysis (parsing), has an exhaustive > database based on Amarakosha, the most popular Sanskrit lexicon, > rule base using the grammar rules of Panini's Ashtadhyayi and > heuristics based on Nyaya & Mimamsa sastras for semantic and > contexual processing. This software can also analyse Vedic > (scriptural) texts. > The highlight of DESIKA is the analysis module which is a > general purpose Sanskrit parser currently being extended to handle > compound and combined word forms dissolution and identification. > Vedic analysis is also under way. Rigveda and Taittiriya branch of > Krishna Yajur Veda analysis using Taittiriya pratishakya and Vaidika > Prakriya of Ashtadhyayi. > The DESIKA software helps in understanding a natural language > input (typically an isolated sentence) through paraphrasing, voice > change, query answering or summarising, to develop a language- > independent knowledge representation scheme based on ancient Indian > Sciences, to develop tools for linguistic analysis and to assist in > analysis & presentation of scriptural (accented text) knowledge, > phonetic and language research, teaching etc., It was developed on > DOS platform and has now been ported on Windows platform. > > Sanskrit Authoring System - C-DAC, Bangalore > > Sanskrit word processor is under development which will even > handle special Sanskrit conjucts. The requirements which will be > catered by this s/w are: > > Word Processing in Sanskrit > Statistical Tools like concordance, thesauri, electronic > dictionaries etc. > Transliteration Facility > Search/Sort Algorithms > Word Split Programs for Sandhi and Samasa > Fonts for various scripts, web access, web hosting, publishing etc. > Poetry Analysis (Textual/metric/statistical) > Manual content for Amarakosha, Grammar rules, Derivations, Quotes > from Vedas (scriptures) > Epic like Ramayana, Mahabharata, other Puranas, Shastraic texts in > sutra and Authentic Reference > On-line readers/primers of Indian Shastraic texts > Tools for morphological, syntactic and semantic analysis > Tools for linguistic analysis like tagging, lemmatising, > statistical studies etc. > > Syntactic and Semantic Analysis of Sanskrit Sentences - Academy of > Sanskrit Research, Melkote > > Software for syntactic and semantic analysis of Sanskrit > sentences has been developed on DOS platform with GIST card and is > being ported to Windows platform. The sentence has been considered > the basic unit for analysis since it is the backbone of verbal > communication between the human beings. The importance of words will > be known only when the meaning of sentence is known. Systematic > classification of words and a robust grammar can help in deriving > the knowledge from Sanskrit and build a system which will help in > the development of Natural Language Processing Systems.The various > modules of the system are: > > Subanta: It can handle generation and analysis of all the > case inflected forms of more than 26,000 stems. > Tinanta: It can handle the conjugational forms of roots, in > two voices, ten lakaras and three modes viz. Kevala Tiganta, Nijanta > and Sannanta. > Krdanta: It is capable of handling generation analysis and > identification of case inflected forms of 11 types of krdantas of > 150 roots. > Databases: 690 Avyayas, 26, 000 Nominal stems, 600 Verbal > roots, krdanata forms of 600 verbal roots, 5 Taddhita suffixes. > > The parts of speech handled for analysing are nouns, pronouns, > adjectives, participles, Indeclinables, Indeclinable participle and > verbs. Sentences with multiple adjectives and participles can also > be analysed. Sentences constructed by picking up any words from the > database can be syntactically analysed. But semantic analysis is > done within a limited domain. For handling the semantic analysis, a > matrix has been prepared which consists of 52 sets of nouns with > their synonyms amounting to 300 nouns, 27 actions denoted by nearly > 200 verbs. Syntactic and semantic analysis of simple passage > consisting of not more than 10 simple sentences has been done > successfully. > > Computer Assisted Sanskrit Teaching & Learning Environment > (CASTLE) - Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi > > > CASTLE s/w on DOS platform with GIST card has been developed > for Sanskrit teaching and learning as a stand-alone application. > Under this project, the synthesis aspect of Sanskrit phonology and > word morphology has been handled. The various modules developed > under this system are: > > Pratyahara: It deals with the sound classes of Paninian > grammar. It may be described as a shorthand notation to refer to a > group of items. > Sandhi: Euphonic combination relating to sound units is > called `sandhi'. It is a common module for various types of word > formation. A sandhi type depends on the final phoneme of the first > word and the initial phoneme of the second word. It also includes a > program for internal sandhi called Natva-satva vidhana. > Subanta: This module deals with the nominal inflexion. The > System inputs are noun base with its attributes and the output is > the 21+3 inflected forms of the noun. > Tiganta: Verbal conjugation is called tiganta. This module > takes the verb and lakara (tense/mood) as inputs, and generates 9 > conjugated forms of the verb in each pada. > Kridanta: The primary derivatives are called kridanta. The > inputs to the system are the semantic condition, verb root and krit > suffix. The kridanta form is the output. > Taddhita: The secondary derivatives are called taddhita. > System inputs are the semantic condition, noun base and taddhita > suffix. Taddhita form is the output. > Samasa: Compound formation is known as samasa. Two or more > words are joined to form a new word. The inputs to the system are > two or more noun bases, which are characterized by a semantic > condition, and the normal suffixes. > Sri-pratyayas: These suffixes are added to primary verbal > roots to derive secondary verbal roots. The derived verb is again > sent to the tiganta module to generate 9 conjugated forms of the > verb in each pada. > > Following Demonstrative modules for learning/teaching of > Sanskrit have also been developed: > > Teaching Varnmala: This module deals with the teaching of > Sanskrit alphabet alongwith their > characteristics. Exercises for testing knowledge of Varnmala have > also been prepared. > Sandhi Viccheda: The system takes a word as input, and > returns the constituent words. > Subanta Viccheda: The input word is split into the root word > and suffix. Besides, the grammatical attributes associated with the > root word, i.e. the noun-base are also displayed. > Tiganta Viccheda: The input word is split into the root word > and suffix. Besides, the grammatical attributes associated with the > root, which is a verbal root, are also displayed. > > > Sanskrit Authoring System > > Sanskrit Authoring System including a Sanskrit word processor > for use by Sanskrit scholars in text processing etc is being > developed at C-DAC, Bangalore. > > Desika Software > > This Software package is a Natural Language Understanding > System for Sanskrit, developed at Indian Heritage Group of the > Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Bangalore, a > Scientific Society of the Ministry of Information Technology, > Government of India, Ramanashree Plaza, 2/1, Brunton Road,Bangalore > (Karnataka). This software incorporates language generation and > analysis modules for plain and accented written Sanskrit texts. It > is based on the principles of ancient Indian Sciences. DESIKA aims > to process all the words of Sanskrit, includes generation and > analysis (parsing), has an exhaustive database based on Amarakosha, > a the most popular Sanskrit lexicon, rule base using the grammar > rules of Panini's Ashtadhyayi and heuristics based on Nyaya & > Mimamsa sastras for semantic and contexual processing. This software > can also analyse Vedic (scriptural) texts. > > Shabadbodha Software > > Shabdhabodha is an interactive application built to analyse > the semantic and syntactic structure of Sanskrit sentences. It > works on MS-DOS Platform version 6.0 or higher with GIST shell. It > has been developed at ASR, Melkote. > > Spell checkers > > Spell checkers are useful for word processing and are > mostly integrated with the word processing softwares. Spell checkers > in few Indian Languages are available. The development of Spell > checkers is covered within the scope of the current projects for > corpora development. > Punjabi Spell-checker has been developed has been developed at > CEDTI, Mohali. > > > Special requirements for Indian Language Processing (ILP) > > India is a large multilingual society with as many as eighteen > constitutionally recognised languages including English and the > National language is Hindi. There are multiple scripts for these > languages. With increase in trade and development across the country > it becomes necessary for the people to communicate in more than one > language. In such circumstances, Information Technology(IT) appears > to be a promising tool for the development of ILP systems which aim > at overcoming the language barrier. These ILP tools could be > designed using many approaches such as : > > Natural Language Interface/Environment for Data Input/Output > support. > Operating System level support at the native level for the Indianl > languages. > Indian Language shell over the existing operating systems and > applications. > Localising existing applications. > Developing specific applications. > Designing language compilers in natural languages. > > ____________________________ > > Developed by CDAC,Noida > Maintained by Department of Information Technology > > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> > Give underprivileged students the materials they need to learn. > Bring education to life by funding a specific classroom project. > http://us.click.yahoo.com/FHLuJD/_WnJAA/cUmLAA/tSwplB/TM > --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eGovINDIA/ > > <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > eGovINDIA-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com > > <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >

1 0

Future of LIS Education-India - A warning Bell?
by Dr.P.V.Konnur 17 Apr '05

17 Apr '05

Dear Friends, It would be little harder stuff to digest for some people. If I am wrong I may be criticised. I will stand corrected otherwise I wish all of us should put some efforts in this direction and should see that we gain recognition from Govt. I appreciate the efforts of Prof Rath who has placed a very pertinent and timely professional issue before us. He has also cited several examples of different professional bodies recognized by Govt. of India. His question is right �Why not ours?� This question will not be answered by any one of us. It should be addressed by the Govt. For this Government needs some representation and an en masse cry from the entire profession so that they can hear us. For which we need PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. Unfortunately, our Indian Library Association has become a doll in the hands of some vested interest Librarians who play their games as per their whims and fancies. Some times they move their coins for South Indian Librarians also to show that they give good representation. But they see that these south Indian Presidents cannot implement their ideas. Till today we have never seen any effort of ILA fighting for the cause of its members. Their main fight with Government of India is to release IFLA conference money. So that, they can spend that money also. Very few of many burning issues of the profession have been listed bellow. None of the ILA presidents could take up these issues during their tenure. So-called caretakers of ILA who are enjoying power decades together can substantiate their efforts in resolving these issues: 1.Academic status for college librarians 2.Career advancement for college librarian 3.Protest against Non Professionals being recruited against professional positions in Universities & IISc etc. 4.60% of the posts of University Libraries are not filled up.Professors of different disciplines are managing the University Libraries as In charge University Librarians. There is no protest from any one of our professional Associations. 5.Many of the Universities are calling for tender for subscription of journals and purchase of books like other commodities. There is no interference of our Professional Associations. 6.Good Office committee is another scandle wherein our ILA is a party. Now coming to IATLIS. This organization was sleeping for decades till it come to Hyderabad. I agree that there were some vibrant initiatives shown in the beginning of this organization taken over to Osmania University, but year after year when the office bearers felt that there is no body to contest for taking care of this organization, they have also reduced their interest and initiatives except running an unattended discussion forum without having any administrator. Anybody including private non-professionals can subscribe to this forum and advertise their products. Sir, this is a warning bell. Let us all alert now. If we delay any more it will be too late for us to regain the control over our profession. Let us build up pressure on our professional Associations to work for us. If they cannot do so, let them step down. There are so many young professionals who are more capable of working for us. Though I have so many things to write, I feel it will cost lot of your patience. I request you all to excuse me if I have hurt some of your (who are very honestly working for the associations but I have generalized) sentiments. It was unavoidable. Hoping to draw all your attention and needful action. Thanking you, Yours Sincerely, Dr. P.V. Konnur. University Librarian Goa University, Goa. --- Pravakar Rath <pkrath_99(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > My Dear Colleagues > > I would like bring to your notice a very pertinent and > timely professional > issue which need to be considered for our survival and > existence in the > changing scenario. As on date there are as many as 90 > universities offering > LIS Courses at different levels (Certificate, Diploma, > BLIS, MLIS, M Phil > and Ph.D). Library and Information Science being a > professional education > definitely requires maintaining standards of excellence > to develop > professional knowledge and skills in this age of > information and to create > an appropriate job market to compete in national and > global level. There are > a number of Councils for other professional and technical > educations in the > country created to maintain professional standards of > that education. Some > of them are listed below. > > The Council of Architecture (COA) was constituted under > the provisions of > the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of > India. The Act > provides for registration of Architects, standards of > education, recognized > qualifications and standards of practice to be complied > with by the > practicing architects. > > The Central Council of Homoeopathy was established under > the Homoeopathy > Central Council Act, 1973. The Council prescribes and > recognizes all > homeopathic medicine qualifications. > > The Bar Council of India is empowered to make rules to > discharge its > functions under the Advocates Act 1961. An important > rule-making power is > with reference to laying down guidelines for the > standards of professional > conduct and etiquette to be observed by advocates. > > The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), also known as > Central council, was > constituted under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. > The PCI controls > pharmacy education and profession in India up to graduate > level. The Council > prescribes the minimum standard of education for > qualification as > pharmacist. > > Dentists Council of India, constituted under the Dentists > Act, 1948, is a > Statutory Body incorporated under an Act of Parliament to > regulate the > dental education and the profession of Dentistry > throughout India > > The National Council for Teacher Education is a statutory > body set up under > the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 to > facilitate planned > and coordinated development of the teacher education > system in the country, > and for regulation and proper maintenance of norms and > standards in the > teacher education system. > > ICAR has established various research centers in order to > meet the > agricultural research and education needs of the country. > It is actively > pursuing human resource development in the field of > agricultural sciences by > setting up numerous agricultural universities spanning > the entire country. > > All India council for Technical Education has been > established under the > AICTE Act, 1987. The council is authorized to take all > steps that are > considered appropriate for ensuring coordinated and > integrated development > of technical education and for maintenance of standards. > > > Considering the reality of the situation and future of > LIS education in the > country, Our colleagues are requested to suggest what > should be the future > course of action to maintain professional standards of > LIS in the country. > Whether we should move an idea for establishing a > similar Council or any > other alternative propositions. But it is the high time > to think on this > issue and let IATLIS be requested to prepare a Blue Print > on this which > could be a basis for Brain Storming Session in the > coming IATLIS conference > in shaping the LIS education in India. > > My best wishes > > Dr Pravakar Rath > Professor and Head > Chairman, Board of Studies > Department of Library and Information Science > Mizoram University > (A Central University), > Aizawl, 796001,India > Phone-0389/2345228, 2342058 > (M) 9436154563-Aizawl > E-mail:prath@fulbrightweb.org > > _________________________________________________________________ > MSN Careers! http://www.timesjobs.com/MSN/ Sign up now! > > Dr.P.V.Konnur, University Librarian, Goa University Library, Taleigao Plateau, Goa - 403 206. Phone: 0832-2456031 (O) 0832-2451008 (R) __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Plan great trips with Yahoo! Travel: Now over 17,000 guides! http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide

2 1

[Fwd: [inars] Commons-sense: Towards an African Digital
by Subbiah Arunachalam 17 Apr '05

17 Apr '05

---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: [inars] Commons-sense: Towards an African Digital Information Commons / Vers une Réunion de l'Information Numérique Africaine From: "Peter Ballantyne (INASP)" <pballantyne(a)inasp.info> Date: Fri, April 15, 2005 6:57 pm To: "Information and agricultural services - research, innovation, extension" <inars(a)dgroups.org> -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Colleagues may be interested in this meeting: http://www.commons-sense.org Commons-sense: Towards an African Digital Information Commons, 25-27 May, 2005 The LINK Centre - Graduate School of Public & Development Management (P&DM), Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa For three days, participants from around Africa and the world will gather to strategise towards the realisation of an African Digital Information Commons. This international event, carried out with a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), will encourage understanding of how alternative approaches to copyright and content-sharing, enabled by digital technologies and electronic networks, can be used in developing countries to enhance education and innovation. The conference begins the evening of 25 May with the launch of Creative Commons South Africa (ccSA) -- an alternative copyright licencing system -- by Creative Commons Chairperson Lawrence Lessig, Law Professor from Stanford University. The next two days will feature keynote addresses, case studies and demonstrations by "information commons" pioneers from the US, Brazil, India and several African countries. Delegates will share experiences and be equipped with the tools needed to implement open content and other flexible copyright approaches to digital publishing. This conference will be of interest to publishers, authors, technologists, lawyers, educators and all others interested in how "new copyright" is pushing the boundaries of international knowledge-sharing. Fees Corporates and professionals: R1200 per person Academics and non-profit organisations: R600 per person. No charge for students, confirmed conference speakers/presenters and full-time employees of Wits University or the IDRC. Scholarships available to a limited number of applicants http://www.commons-sense.org/pages/scholarship.htm. African Digital Commons Competition R4,000 + travel, accommodation, meals and entrance to the May 26-27 "Commons-sense" conference (www.commons-sense.org) will be awarded for the "Best African Digital Commons Creative Work." The award will be presented at the launch of Creative Commons South Africa at Johannesburg's Rosebank Hotel on the evening of 25 May 2005. Judges include Larry Lessig, Christo Doherty and Marcus Neustetter. Another R2,000 will be awarded for the "Best African Digital Commons Weblog." This award will be announced online in June or July 2005, after the May "Commons-sense" conference, which will feature an international blogging forum. Judges for this award will be bloggers from around the world including Joi Ito, Megan Knight and Vincent Maher. See http://www.commons-sense.org/pages/compet.htm for more. ********************************** Commons-sense: Vers une Réunion de l'Information Numérique Africaine http://www.commons-sense.org/index_french.htm 25-27 mai, 2005 Le LINK Centre - Troisième Cycle de Gestion Publique & du Développement (P&DM), Université de Wits, Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud Pendant trois jours, des participants venant d'Afrique et du monde entiervont se rassembler pour établir une stratégie vers la réalisation d'une Réunion de l'Information Numérique Africaine. Cet événement international, réalisé avec une subvention du Centre de Recherches pour le Développement International (CRDI), encouragera à comprendre comment des approches alternatives des droits d'auteur et du partage des contenus, rendues possibles par les technologies numériques et les réseaux électroniques, peuvent être utilisées pour développer les pays afin d'améliorer l'éducation et l'innovation. La conférence commence dans la soirée du 25 mai avec le lancement de Creative Commons South Africa (ccSA) - un système alternatif de licence des droits d'auteur - par le Président de Creative Commons, Lawrence Lessig, Professeur de Droit à l'Université de Stanford. Les deux jours suivants présenteront des discours-programmes, des études de cas et des démonstrations par des précurseurs de la « Réunion de l'information » venant des États-Unis, du Brésil, d'Inde et de plusieurs pays africains. Les participants partageront leurs expériences et seront munis des outils nécessaires pour mettre en place un contenu ouvert et d'autres approches flexibles, au niveau des droits d'auteur, de la publication numérique. Cette conférence aura un intérêt pour les éditeurs, les auteurs, les technologues, les juristes, les éducateurs et toute autre personne ayant un intérêt pour comment « les nouveaux droits d'auteur » repoussent les limites du partage international des connaissances. Frais d'inscription Sociétés et professionnels: 1200 rands par personne Universitaires et organisations à but non lucratif 600 rands par personne. Entrée gratuite pour les étudiants, les conférenciers/présentateurs confirmés et les employés à plein temps de l'Université de Wits ou du CRDI. Bourses disponibles pour un nombre limité de candidats http://www.commons-sense.org/pages/french/scholarship_french.htm Compétition Patrimoine Numérique Commun Africain 4000 rands + voyage, hébergement, repas et entrée à la conférence "Commons-sense" des 26 et 27 mai seront attribués au "Meilleur Travail Créatif de Patrimoine Numérique Commun Africain". La récompense sera présentée lors du lancement de Creative Commons South Africa au Rosebank Hotel de Johannesburg dans la soirée du 25 Mai 2005. Les juges comprennent Larry Lessig, Christo Doherty et Marcus Neustetter. 2000 rands supplémentaires seront attribués au "Meilleur Blogue de Patrimoine Numérique Commun Africain". Cette récompense sera annoncée en ligne en juin ou juillet 2005, après la conférence "Commons-sense" du mois de mai, qui comportera un forum weblog international. Les juges pour cette récompense seront des blogueurs du monde entier, y compris Joi Ito, Megan Knight et Vincent Maher. More details from: Chris Armstrong Associate, LINK Centre, Wits University, Johannesburg tel: +27-11-717-3548 or +27-83-590-8744 fax: +27-11-717-3910 alternate e-mail: carmstrong(a)icon.co.za http://link.wits.ac.za --- To join this list, visit http://www.dgroups.org/groups/inars/ Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank --- You are currently subscribed to inars as: arun(a)mssrf.res.in To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-inars-41648A(a)dgroups.org

1 0

RE: [iatlis] Future of LIS Education-India
by Dr.Amruth sherikar 16 Apr '05

16 Apr '05

Hello Friends, Hello. Yes I do agree with the opinion of Dr.Roth and we do need a body which evaluates the course programmes and also the standerds. More stress must be given to the correspondence cources and they are the real people who are taking things verry light and keep earning as the main motto. With due regards >From: "Pravakar Rath" <pkrath_99(a)hotmail.com> >To: iatlis(a)yahoogroups.com >CC: nmlis(a)yahoogroups.com, iaslic(a)vsnl.net, lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >Subject: [iatlis] Future of LIS Education-India >Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 10:04:57 +0530 > >My Dear Colleagues > >I would like bring to your notice a very pertinent and timely professional >issue which need to be considered for our survival and existence in the >changing scenario. As on date there are as many as 90 universities offering >LIS Courses at different levels (Certificate, Diploma, BLIS, MLIS, M Phil >and Ph.D). Library and Information Science being a professional education >definitely requires maintaining standards of excellence to develop >professional knowledge and skills in this age of information and to create >an appropriate job market to compete in national and global level. There >are >a number of Councils for other professional and technical educations in the >country created to maintain professional standards of that education. Some >of them are listed below. > >The Council of Architecture (COA) was constituted under the provisions of >the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India. The Act >provides for registration of Architects, standards of education, recognized >qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the >practicing architects. > >The Central Council of Homoeopathy was established under the Homoeopathy >Central Council Act, 1973. The Council prescribes and recognizes all >homeopathic medicine qualifications. > >The Bar Council of India is empowered to make rules to discharge its >functions under the Advocates Act 1961. An important rule-making power is >with reference to laying down guidelines for the standards of professional >conduct and etiquette to be observed by advocates. > >The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), also known as Central council, was >constituted under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. The PCI controls >pharmacy education and profession in India up to graduate level. The >Council >prescribes the minimum standard of education for qualification as >pharmacist. > >Dentists Council of India, constituted under the Dentists Act, 1948, is a >Statutory Body incorporated under an Act of Parliament to regulate the >dental education and the profession of Dentistry throughout India > >The National Council for Teacher Education is a statutory body set up under >the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 to facilitate planned >and coordinated development of the teacher education system in the country, >and for regulation and proper maintenance of norms and standards in the >teacher education system. > >ICAR has established various research centers in order to meet the >agricultural research and education needs of the country. It is actively >pursuing human resource development in the field of agricultural sciences >by >setting up numerous agricultural universities spanning the entire country. > >All India council for Technical Education has been established under the >AICTE Act, 1987. The council is authorized to take all steps that are >considered appropriate for ensuring coordinated and integrated development >of technical education and for maintenance of standards. > > >Considering the reality of the situation and future of LIS education in the >country, Our colleagues are requested to suggest what should be the >future >course of action to maintain professional standards of LIS in the country. >Whether we should move an idea for establishing a similar Council or any >other alternative propositions. But it is the high time to think on this >issue and let IATLIS be requested to prepare a Blue Print on this which >could be a basis for Brain Storming Session in the coming IATLIS >conference >in shaping the LIS education in India. > >My best wishes > >Dr Pravakar Rath >Professor and Head >Chairman, Board of Studies >Department of Library and Information Science >Mizoram University >(A Central University), >Aizawl, 796001,India >Phone-0389/2345228, 2342058 >(M) 9436154563-Aizawl >E-mail:prath@fulbrightweb.org > >_________________________________________________________________ >MSN Careers! http://www.timesjobs.com/MSN/ Sign up now! > Dr. Amruth Sherikar, Deputy Librarian. Head Networking & Digital Resource Centre, Gulbarga University Library, Gulbarga - 585106 Karnataka INDIA Phone No. +91-8472-245713 (R) +91-8472- 269994 (D) 245724(0) 249683 (Fax) e_mail: s_amruth(a)rediffmail.com amruth_sherikar(a)hotmail.com

1 0

FW: [LIS-Forum] LIBRARY SOFTWARE
by Manik Nand lal 15 Apr '05

15 Apr '05

Dear All, Thank you very much for help. The list was useful. Best regards, Manik -----Original Message----- From: Manik Nand lal [mailto:maniknl@dabur.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 5:55 PM To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] LIBRARY SOFTWARE Dear Colleagues, Can you please let me know the list of LIBRARY SOFTWARE ( alongwith the Vendor's contact address, telephone, fax & E-Mail numbers) available in India? Thanking you & with best regards, N. MANIK DEPUTY MANAGER LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTRE DABUR RESEARCH FOUNDATION 22, SITE IV, SAHIBABAD GHAZIABAD-201010 INDIA http://www.dabur.com TEL. 91-20-2777901/2778501 EXTN.2761 91-120-2772627 (DIRECT) 91-120-2959761 (DIRECT) FAX : 91-120-2777303 _______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum

1 0

Insanity: Fire breaks out in Manipur's biggest library
by Vyasamoorthy＠icicikp.com 15 Apr '05

15 Apr '05

Dear Friends Please read the sad news below. Should love for one script end up in destroying the other? THINK. Vyasamoorthy ======================================= Regional The Hindu dated 13/4/2005 http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200504131903.htm Fire breaks out in Manipur's biggest library Imphal, April 13 (PTI): Valuable books and other materials were destroyed when unknown persons set fire to Manipur's biggest library, 'Central Library', here today, official source said. Sources said fire personnel took more than five hours to control the fire. Chief librarian H. Devendra Singh told media persons that books worth over Rs 10 crore were destroyed in the fire. Activist of social organisation, MEELAN, which has been demanding introduction of Manipuri script in schools had "earlier threatened to burn the library if their demand was not accepted by the government", sources said. At present Bengali script is in used in Manipur. Dr.P.Vyasamoorthy, Advisor, Virtual Information Centre, ICICI Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Shameerpet Mandal, RR District, Hyderabad 500078 INDIA Email: vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com Phone - Office: +91(40)23480053 Fax: +91(40)23480007 Phone Residence: +91(40)27846631

2 1

Vandalism in Manipur
by shantha venkatesan 15 Apr '05

15 Apr '05

Love for one script is not the apt phrase. This is a mere barbaric act committed owing to momentary impulse and instigation from all those who are bent upon destroying public property & priceless collections.This act needs to be condemned ruthlessly by all sane people. After committing unsocial actions how can they call themselves "social organisations" ? We need to understand through proper investigations as to how such an act got materialised as per the wishes of this organisation. Whether due precautions were taken after the threatening calls were received, Whether securities were posted after knowing the intentions of this orgn. etc. needs probing. Don't we experience emotional actions during union negotiations, strikes, admissions to top class institutions and many more which can be added to this list. All of us would like to know how to counter terrorism in educational institutes which is on the rise in modern world. Can non-violence correct the acts of terrorism ? THINK !!!!!!!!!All good samaritans should unite, co-operate and co-ordinate fearlessly in tackling such acts of vandalism Shantha Venkatesan. Senior Librarian Prof.M.M.Sharma Library U.I.C.T.Matunga (East) Mumbai400 019

1 0

"54.53.49..48..0 - Hello Friends, Are you ready for the InfoQuiz?"
by Mouna 15 Apr '05

15 Apr '05

........ just fifty plus hours to go Register soon kyonki lock kiya jayaega Rock your brains take your chancesGrand prize could be yours! Best of Luck N V Sathyanarayana - Informatics -----Original Message----- From: Mouna [mailto:mouna@informindia.co.in] Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 2:33 PM To: 'lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in' Subject: InfoQuiz 2005 - Count down begins - just six days to register Friends- the count down for the Exciting Event of the year - InfoQuiz 2005 has begun. Register soon to tease your brains and try your luck Visit www.informindia.co.in or www.infoquiz.org for details and register. With best wishes, N V Sathyanarayana - Informatics ______________________ InfoQuiz 2005 (An Informatics Silver Jubilee Celebration Event) Visit www.informindia.co.in <http://www.informindia.co.in> to register and participate in the first ever Online InfoQuiz conducted by Informatics. InfoQuiz 2005 consists of two rounds: Round-1 : Online Quiz 18th April 2005 Round-2 : Stage Quiz 5th May 2005 (Top-6 Scorers of Round-1 qualify for Round-2, scheduled to be held in Bangalore. Expenses of these Top-6 scorers will be borne by Informatics) Prize Money: Winning Team will get Rs. 50,000/- cash plus trophy from Informatics. (And, a host of other sponsored Prizes from publishers like Springer and others.) Dateline: 1. Register between 6th and 17th April 2005 2. Round - 1 (Online Quiz) : 18th April 2005 3. Round - 2 (Stage Quiz-Bangalore) : 5th May 2005 REGISTER ONLINE BETWEEN 6TH AND 17TH April 2005 at www.informindia.co.in <http://www.informindia.co.in> or contact events(a)informindia.co.in <mailto:events@informindia.co.in>

1 0