----- Forwarded message from Ken Kitson -----
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 19:31:53 +0100
From: Ken Kitson
Subject: [GKD] Open Knowledge Network - A Request for Technical Advice
To: gkd@phoenix.edc.org
Dear GKD Members,
My name is Dr. Ken Kitson, and I am working as the software designer for the
Open Knowledge Network which is being co-ordinated
by
One World with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin
America.
The primary goal of OKN is to use information technology to stimulate the
generation and exchange of local content between disadvantaged communities
in
the South. As such, key aspects of the software are that: it supports local
languages; is easy to install, use and fix; is capable of working offline
most
of the time; works with relevant communication methods (poor dial-up lines,
compact discs, wireless, satellite); runs on both Linux and Windows; uses
open-source software and will become an open-source project.
We have some pilot software (written in Java and PHP) running in around 30
community computing centres in India and four African countries, working in
seven languages. A demonstration site showing the live local content from
our
network can be seen on the Internet at:
http://london.openknowledge.net:8080/okn/newsheet_eng.html
We are now designing the next release of the software, and would be
particularly
interested to know if members of the GKD list:
- know of any similar projects we might collaborate with, or technology we
should investigate
- could advise which technology would be best for building up an active open
source community in the South (for example, is Java the most popular
language)
- would be interested in getting involved in contributing technical advice
to
the OKN programme by joining our discussion group at:
http://www.dgroups.org/groups/okntechnology
Many thanks for your time.
Best wishes,
Ken Kitson
Fwd: Open Knowledge Network - A Request for Technical Advice
----- Forwarded message from Ken Kitson -----
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 19:31:53 +0100
From: Ken Kitson
Subject: [GKD] Open Knowledge Network - A Request for Technical Advice
To: gkd@phoenix.edc.org
Dear GKD Members,
My name is Dr. Ken Kitson, and I am working as the software designer for the
Open Knowledge Network which is being co-ordinated by
One World with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The primary goal of OKN is to use information technology to stimulate the
generation and exchange of local content between disadvantaged communities in
the South. As such, key aspects of the software are that: it supports local
languages; is easy to install, use and fix; is capable of working offline most
of the time; works with relevant communication methods (poor dial-up lines,
compact discs, wireless, satellite); runs on both Linux and Windows; uses
open-source software and will become an open-source project.
We have some pilot software (written in Java and PHP) running in around 30
community computing centres in India and four African countries, working in
seven languages. A demonstration site showing the live local content from our
network can be seen on the Internet at:
< http://london.openknowledge.net:8080/okn/newsheet_eng.html http://london.openknowledge.net:8080/okn/newsheet_eng.html
We are now designing the next release of the software, and would be particularly
interested to know if members of the GKD list:
- know of any similar projects we might collaborate with, or technology we
should investigate
- could advise which technology would be best for building up an active open
source community in the South (for example, is Java the most popular language)
- would be interested in getting involved in contributing technical advice to
the OKN programme by joining our discussion group at:
< http://www.dgroups.org/groups/okntechnology http://www.dgroups.org/groups/okntechnology
Many thanks for your time.
Best wishes,
Ken Kitson
