Frederick Noronha on Tue, 23 May 2000 21:57:14 +0200 (CEST) |
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<nettime> BytesForAll: May 2000 |
/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ B y t e s F o r A l l --- http://www.bytesforall.org _/ Making Computing Relevant to The Common (Wo)man MAY2000 _/ Editors: Frederick Noronha (India) Partha Sarkar (Bangladesh) _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ WRITES INDIAN COLUMNIST Praful Bidwai: Nothing qualifies India as an IT superpower -- no more than winning a few tacky Miss World crowns warrants the title beauty superpower, with India's appalling indices of maternal and female health. India is and will probably remain a modest global IT power. It is unlikely to transform Indian society unless attention is paid to the core issues of literacy, education, health and employment, as well as agriculture and industry. The current IT hype is a hot air balloon driven up by reckless speculation, in which price-earning ratios of 300 (against an average of under 30) are considered natural for IT companies, and their market capitalisation can be higher than that of established blue-chip brick-and-mortar companies which have 20 times their turnover and profits. This is not to deny that India's IT has burgeoned at a rate five times higher than the country's industrial growth as a whole in recent years. Software exports have zoomed from $150 million in 1990 to $4 billion. Computers are making inroads into small cities. The number of Internet connections has rocketed from under 100,000 four years ago to about 800,000 today. The hardware market has crossed the one-million-PCs-a-year mark. There is some real IT entrepreneurship too. Most important, computer-based services are providing mobility to some young people from underprivileged backgrounds. However, despite all this, the turnover of the domestic IT industry is less than one per cent of India's gross domestic product (compared to, say, eight per cent in the U.S.). That is not all: Indian software exports are just about 1/70th or less than 1.5 per cent of the world software market. India's share is growing slowly in a sector which has recorded 15 per cent-plus growth worldwide. India has just been ranked 54th of 55 countries in an IT survey by International Data Corporation-World Times. Its score is 871, compared to China's 915 or the U.S.' 5,041. (The highest is Sweden's 5,062, the lowest Pakistan's 719.) The penetration of Indian households by PCs is under one-fifth the world average. Today, it stands at three machines per 1,000 people. When it comes to Internet access, India firmly remains a backwater -- 0.1 per cent household penetration, or the same as sub-Saharan Africa's, as compared to Taiwan's 14 per cent. A computer costs the equivalent of the average Indian's income for two years, but only a month's American salary.. More than 90 per cent of India's IT transactions are in English, which is spoken by five per cent of the population. This IT penetration is extremely uneven, more than two-thirds in western and southern India, mainly in the big cities, with the Hindi belt hugely lagging behind and with a high gender bias. Contact the author: praful@del3.vsnl.net.in +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WRITES IRFAN KHAN <KhanIA@super.net.pk> : Bhutan is one of the least "connected" South Asian countries. here are some URLs from a BBC news story Bhutan home page http://www.bhutan-info.org/index.htm Kuensel newspaper web site http://www.kuensel.com.bt/ Bhutan tourist information http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/kingdom.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE INTERNET SOCIETAL Task Force (ISTF) has been set up under the auspices of the Internet Society to examine ways in which the Internet could be employed to address societal issues, and work towards their implementation. Recognising that considerable useful Internet content, such as radio, shareware and newspapers, could be broadcast via satellite at very low cost per end user, this group has set itself a short- term objective of enabling this. Towards this end, this group is on the lookout for: 1) existing technologies that allow low-cost data broadcasting via satellite 2) companies that make appropriate products and provide satellite services 3) experts that can put such projects together 4) people/companies interested in selecting and managing the flow of content thus delivered. [Courtesy Dr Arun Mehta amehta@cerfnet.com] Details at http://www.istf.isoc.org/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SAYS PRAKASH ADVANI: "Based on our situation here in India, which I believe applies to other developing countries, Linux has a tremendous potential and is very cost effective in that it not only lowers cost but reduces developing countries' dependence on any other country or organisation. "We are currently developing an Indian version of Linux for support of Indian Languages under Linux, so that Linux can be made accessible to the masses. The Indian Linux project is at http://www.freeos.com/indianlinux +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CLICK! THAT'S THE MAGIC cyber sound that could help you light up the alphabet for an illiterate, impoverished child in a Madhya Pradesh village. Welcome to fundaschool.org., a Web site launched by the state government in the capital today that could help you fund an entire primary school, under the famed education guarantee scheme (EGS) in Madhya Pradesh, for a mere Rs.16,000 ($400). [Courtesy India Abroad News Service] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPEN SOURCE DEMOCRACY: A Dutch-led research consortium has put in a bid for European funding to develop non-proprietary, open- source software for large-scale democratic debate, potentially supporting discussion by more than a million participants at a time. The ISSUE consortium, led by the Dutch new media company Spirit, has entered the proposal under the European Commission's 5th Framework for research and technological development, which includes a specific programme for a user-friendly information society. The proposal includes plans for industry-led technical research and development combined with research by social psychologists and political scientists; test beds in Rotterdam, Belfast (supporting the peace process), Nuremberg and Vienna, with a working prototype planed by year two of the project; and all research to be 'open source' and Linux-based (although some business prospects are also expected). A spokesman told E-Government Bulletin: "We feel that there is mileage to be had from getting people sharing ideas, experiences and software to counter the inevitable attempts by proprietary software developers to control this market. ISSUE will have an impact on professional lobbyists, on pressure groups (one is never certain if they have the public backing they claim to have), and on the discussion about referenda." See: www.issue.spirit.nl [Courtesy Dan Jellinek <dan@headstar.com> ] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EXILED TO CYBERIA? "Knowledge" is the new buzzword in some development circles, applauded as a weapon to fight poverty. But, warns Kunda Dixit, there is a danger that this jargon will just deflect attention from the persistent economic problems which prop up global inequality. [Courtesy www.oneworld.org] http://www.oneworld.org/panos/news/00-03-10/cyberia2.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE PROGRESSIVE TECHNOLOGY Project (PTP) is a new collaboration that seeks to raise the scope and scale of technology resources available to grassroots organizing groups working for environmental, economic, and social justice. PTP provides technical assistance and makes grants to develop the capacity of grassroots organizing groups to use information technology to strengthen their social change efforts. http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=759&do=gpage [Courtesy: Zubair Faisal Abbasi <zubair@isb.sdnpk.org> ] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WORLD VIEW Information System (WVIS) is for basic education organisations in Africa and South Asia. A user-friendly information system for local non governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in basic education in Africa and South Asia has been developed by World View Literacy Information Research (WVLIR). WVLIR's broad objectives are to reinforce evaluations and research among NGOs. Its founding members come from the market and opinion research industry. During the Annual Conference of European Society for Opinion and Market Research (ESOMAR) at Davos in September 1994, WVLIR's constituting meeting focused on providing information systems to basic education NGOs to initially share existing research. WVLIR is poised to connect all individuals and organisations, involved in spreading literacy in the form of basic education and/or primary education. World View Information System (WVIS) is a process based around Databases which integrates details about Organisations, Materials, Projects & Individuals on most aspects about literacy and basic education. WVIS Edition 1 is available for MS Access 97. Please download it from the internet on http://www.wvlir.com/wvis1.html or ask for its distributable CD-ROM version, available at a token price. Further suggestions welcome. Contact the Delhi office: Kalyan Mitra, Database Coordinator, World View Delhi Office, F-2, Maharani Bagh, New Delhi - 110065, India wvbo@del2.vsnl.net.in +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WRITES UNDP IT FOR DEVELOPMENT Programme director Dr Hans d'Orville: ONE RECENT N.U.A. Internet survey offers a glimpse of the magnitude: in January 1999, there were worldwide 153.25 million people online, ie. with Internet access. Of these, a mere 1.14 million were Africans, 26.55 million were in Asia and the Pacific, 4.5 million in South America, 33.39 million in Europe and in North America 87 million. What a skewed distribution! What can and should development co-operation do in such circumstances? To delineate the key areas for action and intervention, I suggest a simple formula: A+6C. The A stands for awareness and advocacy. The Cs stand for connectivity, capacity, content, creativity, communications and cash. More information at UNDP's INFO 21 Website http://www.undp.org/info21/index.htm which contains also a wealth of information on the programmes of other organisations and sectoral and regional needs as well as dedicated sites on Y2K, electronic commerce and human rights. [Courtesy Hasan A. Rizvi rizvi@isb.sdnpk.org ] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FOR A WHOLE LOT OF LINKS of official Bangladeshi web sites, visit http://www.BangladeshGov..org/ [Courtesy partha@bytesforall.org] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LINUX IS BEING favoured by some of Asia's Third World nations, said a report in IDG News Service in early April. David Legard reported that the open-source Linux operating system is being enthusiastically looked at by companies in Asia's developing nations like India, China, Korea and Malaysia, but is less popular in wealthier countries such as Japan and Singapore. In a presentation at Comdex Asia Lau picked out India and Malaysia as two countries especially keen to take advantage of the potential cost benefits of using Linux. "With Linux, you can save $500 Singapore ($290) per seat when you consider all the server and client licenses you would otherwise pay," he said. "Linux has been proved to be stable, its ease of use is improving very quickly, and all the major industry players except Microsoft have endorsed it." http://www.idg.net/go.cgi?id=246832 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A TRUE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY is like a perfect system where the knowledge gets recognised and valued and also ends up benefiting the society from where it originates. So, it is not just a question of people accessing information but also about information finding its way to the probable users and that is exactly what is lacking before we can call a society as a perfect knowledge society. http://sdnp.delhi.nic.in/resources/internetinfo/articles/heralding.htm The problem with many developing countries so far has been their inability to recognize the knowledge they possess, put a value to it and use the power of knowledge to their growth. Ironically, the value of the vernacular knowledge gets noticed in developing countries only after its value is recognized and put to use in the developed nations. Further, there are a lot of other barriers which impede the transformation to perfect knowledge societies such as Northern- centric content, linguistic barriers, and lack of skills. An abridged version of the paper in form of an editorial has been placed by One World Europe Think Tank at their website at http://www.oneworld.org/thinktank/id/index.html [Courtesy Vikas Nath Programme Officer, SDNP India] E-mail: sdnp@envfor.delhi.nic.in URL : http://www.vikasnath.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RECYCLING COMPUTERS: A Simple Solution for a Complex Problem. By Sonia Jurich, this article describes ways by which outdated computers in government and business offices can be recycled into schools. The issue, however, is that most computers that are being discarded no longer have software installed, and newer software packages do not work on them. The article describes software that restores the core functionality of old computers. http://www.techKnowLogia.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GREENSTAR WORLD Development Library is developing a core library of software reference and instruction programs for use in education programs in rural communities worldwide. Greenstar will fund a qualified individual or group, with qualifications in international education, to identify existing educational tools which exist as tutorials, interactive lessons, game-based learning, graphics, databases and Website extracts of articles and manuals. All materials must be in digital form, or convertible to digital form, and easily usable with standard tools on a Windows 95 computer system. Audiocassettes and videocassettes will also be accepted into the Library. By way of background: Greenstar is placing self-contained, solar- powered community centers in remote locations around the world. Each center has health facilities, including telemedicine, a classroom complete with distance learning equipment, and a business center, through which we will operate ecommerce in native cultural products. The solar array powers the unit and also purifies water for up to 2,200 people. http://www.greenstar.org/introduction.htm http://www.e-greenstar.com/faq.htm http://www.greenstar.org/digital-culture/ http://www.greenstar.org/e-philanthropy/index.htm [Courtesy Paul Swider <swider@earthlink.net> ] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ UK DEPARTMENT FOR International Development (DFID) and OneWorld are having an online consultation on information technology and knowledge for development. You're welcome to join in. Consultation website is live at www.OneWorld.net/consultation/dfid Q1. Is there any evidence of ICTs actually reducing poverty? To join this discussion email dfid1-request@oneworldlists.net with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line Q2. How can the Internet and increased globalisation enhance the value of traditional media for development? To join this discussion email dfid2-request@oneworldlists.net with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line Q3. How can the international community help to harness the power of knowledge to meet its development targets? To join this discussion email dfid3-request@oneworldlists.net with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line Q4. How can e-commerce and other new forms of commercial interaction facilitated by ICTs be used to promote sustainable development? To join this discussion email dfid4- request@oneworldlists.net with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line [Courtesy media@ONEWORLD.NET] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ READINESS FOR THE Networked World: A Guide for Developing Countries from the Information Technologies Group is aimed at spurring dialogue and cooperative action in addressing Digital Divide issues in the developing world. Visit it at http://www.readinessguide.org Interested in localizing the printed version and website into your language? Contact Tariq_Mohammed/FS/KSG@ksg.harvard.edu Or eDevelop@ksg.harvard.edu [Courtesy gkd@phoenix.edc.org] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BRITAIN'S SOCIAL EXLCLUSION UNIT has published a consultation framework for a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. Proposals include improving IT in deprived neighbourhoods by ensuring at least one publicly-accessible, community-based facility in each deprived neighbourhood by 2002; and encouraging people to use them by employing local champions and offering user-friendly courses. [Courtesy Colin J Williams cjw@connection.com] http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/seu/index/national_strategy.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PAKISTAN'S DRAFT "Software Protection Ordinance" is available on the Pakistan Computer Bureau's website http://www.pcb.gov.pk Comments may be sent within one week to pcb@isb.paknet.com.pk from May 11 [Courtesy Irfan Khan KhanIA@super.net.pk, S-Asia-IT] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ANOTHER POLICY: The Information Technology Commission [http://itcomm.gov.pk ; http://itcomm.org.pk] of Government of Pakistan has posted the draft IT Policy at http://itcomm.gov.pk/policy/it1.htm for feedback and comments. Comments may be sent to feedback@itcomm.org.pk [Courtesy s-asia-it] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ISPs IN INDIA ARE planning to come together to set up an Internet exchange that will help them interchange data directly. Presently, ISPs in India are having to route data through international gateways and depend on servers located outside the country. For instance, an e-mail sent from one ISP to another is currently routed through the US through an international gateway and is routed back through another gateway. [Courtesy: India ISP News Weekly, May 9; S-Asia-IT mailing list] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ KARNATAKA, THE SOUTH INDIAN province, has launched a new IT policy called 'Mahiti'. It includes the issue of bonds worth Rs. 3 billion to finance people-friendly IT-enabled services, generating jobs and building state- and district-level databases. Incubation centres for start-up companies, computerisation of land records, land registration and promotion of the local language Kannada in IT are part of the plan. [Courtesy: IANS] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contact the Editors fred@bytesforall.org partha@bytesforall.org BYTESFORALL CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN JULY 2000! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ # distributed via <nettime>: no commercial use without permission # <nettime> is a moderated mailing list for net criticism, # collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets # more info: majordomo@bbs.thing.net and "info nettime-l" in the msg body # archive: http://www.nettime.org contact: nettime@bbs.thing.net