Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 21:36:21 +0530 From: Jai Haravu To: rafiq.ansari@timesgroup.com, Dear Mr Ansari/List forum members I have seen Mr Ansari's posting to Lis-Forum on the subject of library automation software and his list of software. He was probably not aware that the Trust that I head has collaborated with a software company in Hyderbad, M/s Verus Solutions Pvt., Ltd to develop a fully n-tier web-based library automation and networking solution called NewGenLib. You may like to see the features of this software at http://www.newgenlib com. Also, kindly note that we have several versions of the software: single library, single user version single library, multi user LAN/Intranet or web version, multi-library, multi user LAN/Intranet version, and multi-library, multi-user networking/consortium version that runs on the web in an Application Service Provider (ASP) mode. The software is available under both Windows and Linux operating systems. We have used many open source components and hence it is much more affordable than similar software from the west. We also have a version which runs on an open source RDBMS called Firebird. This runs on stand alones and LAN/Intranet's. We have still to test it in a web environment. Importantly, the networking/consortium version allows the configuration of a network of libraries that use a single server and software infrastructure so that all libraries in the network need not invest in costly servers and software on each of their locations. Our present work will lead to the development of a multi-lingual version which will allow input, storage and retrieval of information in Indian languages. Unfortunately, except Hindi, nobody seems to have developed Unicode, UTF-8 fonts for other Indian languages. We are also working on building digital library functionality in a future version. Goa University and Osmania University and a few other small colleges have already implemented this software. You may like to see the Goa Academic Library's networks called GOALNET's OPAC at http://goalnet.unigoa.ac in:8080/newgenlibctxt/index.jsp. This network has the Goa Univ and 14 other institutions on it. However, please note that since Goa receives a lot of rain, there are not infrequent power outages there and the site may not sometimes be accessible. L J Haravu Trustee, Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management [http://www.kiikm.org/] 69 Krishnapuri Colony West Marredpally Sedcunderabad 500 026 Tel: 91-40-27803947