Dear Members, You may like to read following 2 news items related to Open Source. 1. Community centre runs open source ICDL http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=389&s=news 2. World's first open source television programme http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=381 I am copying it below for member's convenience. Community centre runs open source ICDL The Mogalakwena HP i-community in South Africa's Limpopo province is one of the first training centres worldwide to offer an open source software version of the International Computer Driving Licence(ICDL). The ICDL is recognised internationally as a benchmark of end-user computer skills. There is a unique quality to the HP i-community certification in that it is the only one in Africa which is centred purely on open source software, says Imraan Jassat, head of capacity building at the project. "We are delivering on an overwhelming demand from those 3000 individuals who have already gone through the HP i-community open source software training, for an internationally recognised certification. Specifically, they are certified on their knowledge and capabilities in open source software, such as OpenOffice and other tools and applications." Ninety-eight percent of the trainers at the HP i-community have already passed the ICDL foundation examination and achieved certification. The ICDL foundation course certifies that the holder is fully competent in the use of a personal computer and common computer applications and knows the essential concepts of IT. The syllabus is designed to be entirely vendor-independent which gives candidates the flexibility to acquire core skills that are suitable to a range of software environments. The ICDL is a test of practical skills and competencies and consists of seven separate modules covering computer theory and practice. Module One is a theoretical test of computing knowledge at a general level and Modules Two to Seven test skills covering such topics as concepts of information technology (IT), using a computer and managing files, word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation and information and communication. These tests can be attempted in any order and at any time and must be successfully completed within a maximum duration of three years. A skills card is issued documenting the results of the tests, and when all seven modules are successfully completed, the skills card is sent to the national ICDL licensee and a personalised certificate is issued. "We have always known that certification would be a logical part of the skills transfer process, but we have been on the lookout for the appropriate certification. Though the ICDL gives us what we need for international recognition of those skills, we still need to find the appropriate level within it for the HP i-community, because it is so rich and diverse. Of course one of the key advantages to certification on open source software is that people can learn an application that is freely available, is in line with international standards, and most importantly, copies can be distributed without fear of breaking copyright laws," says Jassat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- World's first open source television programme The South Africa-based Go Open Source campaign is filming the world's first television series dedicated to open source software. The 13-episode Go_Open will air on SABC 2 every Saturday at 17:30 from November 20. The Go_Open series is sponsored by the Go Open Source campaign. Go Open Source is funded by the Shuttleworth Foundation, HP, Canonical and the CSIR. The programme will showcase success stories, interviews with top local and international free software pioneers and the latest products and news from the open source world. "Contrary to popular belief, open source software is not only the domain of technically skilled users, since it makes a difference in the lives of everyday people from all walks of life," says Mark Shuttleworth, South African Internet billionaire and investor in Go Open Source. "Another myth is that open source software is niche in its focus. Open source applications cover the entire spectrum of computer use, consisting of operating systems, productivity suites, web browsers, e-mail clients, Internet tools and multimedia applications," he says. "Go_Open will aim to blow these myths out of the water once and for all, using real world examples that could not have happened in any other way than through the use of open source." Regards. Madhuresh Singhal Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited, Electronic City, phase II, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 100 India Phone 28521314-16 Ext.- 422 Fax 2852 6285 Mobile 098861 82822 E-mail: madhureshsinghal@yahoo.com http://nettalk2.tripod.com/