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Date: Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:34:14 +0500
From: Frederick Noronha <fred@goa1.dot.net.in>
Subject: bYtES For aLL ISSUE #3 OCTOBER 1999
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01010101 bYtES For aLL * bYtES For aLL * bYtES For aLL 10101010
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n e w t e c h n o l o g i e s w i l l m e a n h a v i n g m o r e
i n t h e h a v e-n o t c a m p i f w e a r e n o t c a r e f u l
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01010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010
0101010101 SOUTH ASIA SPECIAL 1010101010
0101010101 Issue No 3 * Oct 1999 1010101010
1010101010 AN OCCASIONAL NEWSLETTER TO MAKE 0101010101
0101010101 COMPUTING AND TECHNOLOGY 1010101010
1010101010 FRIENDLY TO THE NEEDS OF THE MILLIONS 0101010101
1010101010 Compiler: Frederick Noronha fred@vsnl.com 0101010101
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VISIT OUR NEW WEB SITE http://www.bytesforall.org
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FIGHTING POVERTY WITH THE INTERNET: A new website offers the
potential to engage a new constituency of people, networked by a
common concern. The site is called NetAid. It will allow those
who log on to learn more about world poverty and find out what
they can do to help.
http://www.netaid.org
******************************************************************
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING (ICDL) is an
international centre for research, teaching, consultancy,
information and publishing activities.
ICDL distance education databases contain information on over
31,000 distance learning programmes and courses mostly in the
Commonwealth countries, over 1,000 institutions teaching at a
distance worldwide, and over 11,000 abstracts of books, journal
articles, research reports, conference papers, dissertations and
other types of literature relating to all aspects of the theory
and practice of distance education
http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/>http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/
SOURCE: George Lessard
******************************************************************
LOW-EARTH ORBITING SATELLITES FOR EMAIL: Volunteers in Technical
Assistance (VITA), together with its collaborators, is gathering
information on the use of communications by non-governmental
organizations in development. A store-and-forward email system
using existing low earth orbiting satellites to serve
humanitarian and development purposes will soon be a reality.
Information from this survey will help ensure that the system is
designed to meet real needs.
Details from: garyg@VITA.ORG Gary Garriott
SOURCE: DEVEL-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
******************************************************************
EMPOWERING VILLAGERS THROUGH IT: The information age, so far
confined to the urban population, is making an entry in rural
India. The Chennai based M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
has set up an "Information Village," with an aim to provide
location specific information to five villages near Pondicherry.
Info courtesy: INDEV e-mail digest http://www.indev.nic.in/
******************************************************************
TASKNET'S SOUTH ASIAN KNOWLEDGE NETWORK: Some 300 people involved
in international development and IT will gather in Delhi's Vigyan
Bhawan, November 23-24, 1999 for a major international conference
to explore the role of knowledge, information and technology in
development. TASKnet: Towards a South Asian Knowledge Network
will focus on turning the information revolution into a force for
economic development, social cohesion and poverty alleviation in
the 21st century.
TASKnet is a part of the global knowledge partnership committed
to sharing information, experiences and resources to promote
access and use of knowledge and information as tools of
sustainable, equitable development. It's co-hosted by National
Informatics Centre and The British Council. Other major partners
in this effort include UNDP, British Department for International
Development (DFID), UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, The World Bank,
Delegation of European Commission in India, CAPART, The Hindu,
VSNL, Development Alternatives and M S Swaminathan Research
Foundation.
More information: TASKnet Secretariat, C/O British Council, 17,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110001, E-mail:
tasknet@in.britishcouncil.org Website: http://www.tasknet.nic.in
Info courtesy: Shadrach <shadrach@in.britishcouncil.org>
******************************************************************
REGIONAL SEMINAR ON IT (BANGLADESH): The Federation of
Engineering Institutions of South and Central Asia (FEISCA) and
The Institution of Engineers, (Bangladesh),Chittagong Centre, are
jointly organizing a Regional Seminar on Information Technology
for National Development: Sharing Regional Experience from
October 28-30, 1999. Only recently have many of the developing
countries have started looking seriously into the role that IT
can play in national development. In this regional seminar, the
experts from the FEISCA countries and other developed countries
including Development financing agencies, UN Agencies and NGO's
will exchange view on how best the countries can become active
player in the IT revolution and reap maximum benefits for socio-
economic development.
Seminar objectives include human resource development;
application of IT in government agencies, in poverty alleviation,
and applications of IT in e-commerce; future opportunities for
Third World countries; development of national information
infrastructure; and nation IT policies and plans.
Submit papers to IEB, Chittagong Centre by October 15. Send in an
email copy to <iebctg@globalctg.net> too.
Registration iebctg@globalctg.net
E-mail ieb@bangla.net
******************************************************************
HARAPPA.COM from Pakistan: Interesting focus on South Asia.
Promises some "very unusual material". It calls itself the
'oldest site on the web'. Also has a mailing list, details from
owner-harappamail@list.sirius.com
You can automatically subscribe and unsubscribe to this list at
http://www.harappa.com/serai/mail.html
Information courtesy: Omar Khan, Producer
******************************************************************
VOLUNTEERING ON-LINE is an electronic newsletter produced on a
free voluntary basis which aims to encourage the participation
and involvement of all forms of voluntary work through the media
and in particular by the direct use of the Internet.
Contributing some free time every week can make all the
difference to us and especially and most important to those, who
may receive our help and support without even our knowledge.
To Subscribe, write "subscribe" to: teddy@vol.net.mt
******************************************************************
THE HUMANITY LIBRARIES PROJECT: of the Global Help Projects is a
network project of more that 100 partners. Its aim is to provide
universal free or low-cost information access through co-
operation between UN Agencies, Universities and NGO's.
http://www.oneworld.org/globalprojects/humcdrom/
******************************************************************
PAKISTAN IT SUMMITY RECOMMENDATIONS: (By Ikramul Haq) ISLAMABAD
(August 17) : New legislation on freedom of information at the
federal and provincial levels was seen as top priority for
inducting e-government for good governance in Pakistan. This was
one of several recommendations made by a working group on this
subject and presented at the concluding session of the summit on
Information Technology. The other proposal is that the government
website should be extended to three important government
activities namely procurement of goods of over Rs 10 million;
recruitment and foreign scholarships. This should be implemented
in phases first by December 1999 and full implementation by March
2000. Also mooted was setting up of a cabinet division to
promote development of IT human resources. A special cadre for IT
should be created and promotions should be linked with IT
literacy.
Details at http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0011/S1103/S1103109.htm
Information courtesy: Irfan Khan <KhanIA@super.net.pk> and the
South-Asia-IT mailing list <s-asia-it@apnic.net>
******************************************************************
CONFERENCE ON INTERNET IN THE THIRD WORLD: "Converging
Responsibility: Broadcasting and the Internet in Developing
Countries" was a conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from
September 4-6, 1999. It was attended by people from 35
institutions in 19 countries. In their report, conference
participants expressed concern about the disparities between
levels of access in various parts of the world and stressed the
importance of addressing the issue with innovative responses. "As
we enter the era of the knowledge society and the knowledge
economy, access to the infrastructure to share knowledge is
essential for social and economic progress..."
Conference participants examined a number of pilot projects
combining the radio and the Internet to mutually enhance their
development impact. Some of these, such as Latin America's
Agencia Informativa Pulsar and Indonesia's Kantor Berita Radio
68H, use the Internet to link radio stations. Others, such as
Kotmale Community Radio in Sri Lanka, are experimenting with
using radio as a "gateway" to the Internet. These projects seek
to make the Internet's information resources available to rural
and under-served communities.
Further info: http://www.comunica.org/kl/
http://www.comunica.org/kl/press.htm
******************************************************************
COMMUNICATION, INFO AND CHANGE: The Communication Initiative
Partnership. Backed by Rockefeller Foundation, UNICEF, USAID,
WHO, BBC World Service, CIDA, Johns Hopkins University Center for
Communication Programs, The European Union, Soul City, The Panos
Institute, UNAIDS. Information and dialogue on communication,
development and change.
Details: Warren Feek, Director wfeek@coastnet.com
HOME PAGE http://www.comminit.com/
STRATEGIC THINKING http://www.comminit.com/strategic.html
SEARCH http://www.comminit.com/search.html
VACANCIES http://www.comminit.com/vacancies.html
EVENTS CALENDAR http://www.comminit.com/bin/calendar/events_cal.cgi
UNIVERSITY COURSES http://www.comminit.com/university.html
THE DRUM BEAT http://www.comminit.com/drum_beat.html
THE MEDIA BEAT http://www.comminit.com/news.html
******************************************************************
MEDIA FOR DEVELOPMENT -- ABHIVYAKTI: Based in Nasik, India, this
group has been producing for the last four years a quarterly
video magazine 'Satyachitra' (True Stories) portraying struggles
and stories of the marginalised people in India. It is about 40
minutes in duration, and is in English and local language,
Marathi.
Details: Nitin Paranjape <amdnasik@bom3.vsnl.net.in>
SOURCE: DEVMEDIA mailing list.
******************************************************************
ALUMNI ENGINEERS OF the Indian Institute of Technology in
Mumbai/Bombay have started a non-profit organisation that
collects donations and sends them to the IIT Mumbai.
http://www.iitbombay.org
******************************************************************
PASSPORTS FROM INDIA, VIA THE NET: India's Central Passport
Organisation of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is making
forms and other related information available on its newly-
launched website. Information on passports, visas and Person of
Indian Origin cards will be available.
Dr Seshagiri of the National Informatics Centre said experiments
were underway to use e-mail for new application, along lines
similar to the one followed for filing income tax returns.
http://passport.nic.in
SOURCE: The Economic Times
******************************************************************
SPECIALISED SOFTWARE FOR DOCS: Docspro is a specialised software
package designed to cater to the needs of doctors who have no
prior knowledge of computers. The package is an electronic case
sheet of out-patients documenting all the conversations the
doctor has with the patient and recording the details personally
with the click of a mouse as the patient is being examined.
The package acts as a ready reference of all medicines available
for prescription. It can extract any kind of report, including
prescriptions, case history and discharge summary reports. It is
a user-friendly package with facility for online chats and net
conferences with peers across the world.
SOURCE http://www.economictimes.com/today/16tech03.htm
******************************************************************
PORTAL ON EDUCATION FACILITIES IN INDIA: Offers comprehensive
information on educational facilities and opportunities available
in the country. Web based post-graduate engineering courses will
also be available on the ETH portal in collaboration with Anna
University, Tamil Nadu. The portal provides model question papers
of standards 10 and 12 along with answers. There are also
practical tips on how to look out for jobs and prepare a bio-
data.
http://education.eth.net
SOURCE: Rediff On the Net
******************************************************************
INDIA AND ICT: In "Can the Cultures of India Survive the
Information Age?", Professor Kenneth Keniston, Director of MIT's
India Program, who is looking closely at the question of "how, if
at all, modern information and communication technologies ranging
from cell phones to ordinary telephones to networked computers
can be used to strengthen the economic position of the
disadvantaged and to preserve and enhance cultural diversity."
http://web.mit.edu/kken/Public/papers6.htm
SOURCE: Arun Mehta, India-GII mailing list.
******************************************************************
INDEV, A SITE TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT: To receive email updates,
please send a mail to
indev@bc-delhi.bcindia.sprintsmx.ems.vsnl.net.in with the message
"subscribe" with your contact details.
******************************************************************
TASKNET web site: Towards a South Asia Knowledge Network is a new
partnership initiative that is committed to sharing information,
experiences and resources to promote greater access to
information and knowledge universally. TASKNET web site provides
virtual space for individuals and organisations to air their
views on global knowledge themes. From the INDEV web-site (write
to request a full-text copy of this report to the above address).
******************************************************************
SCIENCE DISTRICT IN SOUTH INDIA (MADRAS): An information highway
in Chennai's `science district' - Adyar, Taramani area - to
share, receive, distribute and debate on frontiers of science and
technology is now closer to reality. A grand alliance of 60
scientific, technological and academic institutions of higher
learning, to enable research scholars and scientists access to
one another's common facilities such as libraries, is envisaged.
>From the INDEV web-site (write to request a full-text copy of
this report to the above address).
******************************************************************
SITA- STUDIES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLNS: The World Bank's
Information for Development Programme has recently sanctioned
Project SITA - Studies in information technology applications:
Training in computer skills for low-income women. The objective
of this project is to help women move away from the "achaar-
papad" (low-income, low status) areas of employment to high-tech
areas, and to link technology to societal concerns and make this
linkage commercially viable. From the INDEV web-site (write to
request a full-text copy of this report to the above address).
******************************************************************
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ON TELECENTRES: The International Institute
for Communication and Development (IICD) is hosting an email-based
virtual conference on telecentres. It began on September 21. The
goal is to explore several telecentre concepts for developing
countries, and to share information about practical issues
surrounding setting up and running a telecentre.
To subscribe to the conference, send a message to:
telecentres@iicd.org Do not enter a subject. In the body of the
message, type the text: SUBSCRIBE telecentres
Further information: Arjan de Jager, ICT developer
jager@iicd.org - http://www.iicd.org
Located in the Netherlands, IICD aims to assist developing
countries to keep up with the latest trends in Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs).
SOURCE: Katherine Morrow <kmorrow@bellanet.org>
******************************************************************
NETWORK OF INDIAN ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONALS: With membership of
more than 135 environment professionals from all over the world.
The archive at the website claims to have the richest collection
of details pertaining to environment. It is a electronic mailing
list whose members are from premier institutes like Indian
Institute of Forest Management, IRMA, IIT , Forest Department and
others employed and working in varied institutions like Tata
Energy Research Institute, Professors from Administrative Staff
College of India(ASCI), IIFM, IIMs, NGO's like Society for
Promotion of Wasteland Development (SPWD) , Researchers studying
at Yale, Penn and other institutions in U.S. and others.
Membership is free. Any environment professional or nature
lover can become the member. Contact rosydas@vsnl.com or visit
the website http://www.egroups.com/list/niep
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
******************************************************************
HEALTHNET NEWS: HealthNet News is a newsletter that is put
together and sent out by SatelLife, electronically, free of
charge, once a week. The newsletter consists of a compilation of
abstracts, summaries, editorials, and full-text articles taken
from prominent medical journals, with special publisher
permission. Topics included cover a wide range of information in
medicine, public health, and scientific research. The number of
articles per issue is around 8 to 10.
Details from: Robin Brett Parnes, M.P.H. rbp@usa.healthnet.org
http://www.healthnet.org
******************************************************************
POOR INDIAN VILLAGES GET VIDEO E-MAIL:Video e-mail will open up
India's Internet revolution next month to thousands of poor,
illiterate -- and awe-struck -- villagers who have never seen a
computer, AP reported. On Oct. 2, the birthday of Indian
independence leader Mohandas Gandhi, video e- mail booths were
scheduled to be inaugurated in eight towns in Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar -- two of India's poorest and most populous states.
It will cost 15 rupees -- or 35 cents -- to send or receive a
three-minute message, including a video image and voice, through an
e-mail account.
http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/breaking/merc/docs/012091.htm
Source DEVMEDIA@LISTSERV.UOGUELPH.CA
******************************************************************
TEL-isphere 99 IN THE CARIBBEAN: The Caribbean & Technology-
Enhanced Learning Seminar from 24 - 27 November 1999, St.
Michael, Barbados. Speakers include Newfoundland and Labrador
premier Brian Tobin, who boasts that his government has ensured
that the Internet reaches every school in the province and that
it has the highest per capita use of the Internet in education
across Canada. Over 50 papers have been approved for
presentation in parallel sessions and a plenary panel session is
shaping up.
Details at http://www.col.org/tel99
E-mail: tel99@col.org
******************************************************************
INDIA TOUCHES 1.5 MILLION NET USERS: Internet remains the fastest
growing media in India, says a new survey. And India currently
has 1.5 million net users, reports Uday Lal Pai, the India
correspondent of asia.internet.com The Internet has once again
proved to be the fastest growing media, according to the Indian
Readership Survey (IRS '99).
http://asia.internet.com/cyberatlas/0923-india.html
******************************************************************
INDIA TECHNOLOGY PORTAL LAUNCHED: Bangalore based Microland Group
debuted its technology-focused community site, ITspace.com. It
aims to be the resource destination of choice and preferred
personal networking platform for savvy IT decision-makers by
offering a range of news, user-generated content, discussion
forums and peer networking opportunities, writes Hans Lombardo,
Managing Editor of asia.internet.com
http://asia.internet.com/1999/9/2301-micro.html
******************************************************************
ONLINE EDUCATION CATCHING ON IN INDIA: Online training fever
grips India. While major software training institute NIIT has
already commenced online courses, Aptech is launching its online
training soon. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bangalore is
starting virtual classes. Global majors also join the fray. Lotus
Development Corporation announced its plan to set up centres for
training via the Net. Sun/Netscape is scouting for alliance to
impart training online to its corporate customers in India. While
a normal MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer) course
would need around $712 (Rs 30,000), the online version of the
same course is available at a price tag of $302 (Rs 12,800) at
NIIT's `niitnetuniversity.com.' Other courses like MCSE
(Microsoft Certified System Engineering), and 40 other skillets
like Java Programming, HTML Programming, Advanced Browsing is
available on the Net, writes Uday Lal Pai, India correspondent of
asia.internet.com
http://asia.internet.com/1999/9/2104-india.html
******************************************************************
USE OF IT IN MEDICAL PRACTICE: Subbiah Arunachalam
<arun@indy.iitm.ernet.in> is researching the use of information
technology in medical practice in the developing countries - by
doctors, surgeons and hospitals in their clinical practice.
Please send information to <subbiah_a@hotmail.com> or
<arun@indy.iitm.ernet.in>. Arunachalam is a Distinguished Fellow
of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Madras, India.
******************************************************************
ONEWORLD RADIO NEWS SERVICE: Ever since the invention of radio as
a medium, broadcasters have grappled with the problem of how to
transfer audio material over long distances - between studios,
stations and journalists in the field. Check out options at
OneWorld Radio News Service. Audio features and reports of up to
half an hour in length about human rights and environmental
issues are now available free and worldwide via the Internet.
This service uses RealAudio technology to compress audio files so
they are small enough to be transferred quickly over the
Internet. It's possible to get hold of a 20-minute documentary
programme with less than 20 minutes online. It has been encoded
to a high RealAudio standard. (Technically speaking, it's
40.3Kbps.) And it's miles better than the telephone.
http://www.oneworld.net/radio_news/index.html
******************************************************************
FREEOS.COM OFFERS OSs AND DOCUMENTATION: An India-based group
this week launched a new Web site that offers users 11 different
operating systems and their accompanying documentation, including
Linux. The FreeOS.com site is based in Bombay, India, which
staunchly opposes the lucrative practice of charging for
operating systems. Besides Linux, other operating systems
supported by FreeOS.com include, FreeBSD, BPMK, Cynus, FreeDos,
Freedows, GNU Hurd, Minix, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and VSTa. While the
site offers support for all 11 free operating systems, FreeOS.com
said that the vast majority of activity in the market revolves
around Linux and will probably remain that way for the
foreseeable future.
Contact Prakash Advani prakash@freeos.com
http://www.freeos.com
******************************************************************
WIDE-TECHNICAL COOPERATION: WIDE's mission is to facilitate
exchange of information and knowledge for technical cooperation
among developing countries (TCDC). All information maintained in
WIDE is in the public domain and is available to anyone,
anywhere, free of charge.
http://www.wide.org.br/htmlEstaticoEn/Pinfo.html
******************************************************************
DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE CENTRE in New Zealand: runs an email list
offering links to development-related resources via cyberspace.
To subscribe, contact Phillip Hewitt <phil@drc.org.nz>
Or check out http://www.drc.org.nz/
******************************************************************
VIRTUAL EDUCATION: The Commonwealth of Learning commissioned an
international group of experts to look at this phenomenon and
provide a snapshot report. The entire study is available on-line
[in pdf format] from http://www.col.org/virtualed/index.htm
Contents include 'Virtual Institutions in the Indian Subcontinent
by Dr. Sugata Mitra'.
******************************************************************
RURAL HEALTHCARE IN VIETNAM: Humanitarian assistance project to
rural healthcare in Vietnam, focused especially on children.
Organizes annual medical missions to bring reconstructive surgery
to children with orofacial deformities, and eye surgery to
children with correctible eye diseases. Also training to
healthcare staff, and develops sustainable projects to improve
health outcomes (neonatal mortality, acute respiratory illnesses,
malnutrition, cervical cancer detection etc.).
URL http://www.vietnam21.com/projectvietnam
Info courtesy: The Asian Studies WWW Monitor
******************************************************************
INDIA TO HAVE 5million Net users by 2003
INDIA will be among the four Asian markets to have five million
Internet users by the year 2003. Market research agency IDC India Ltd
made this forecast at its 12th annual industry briefing. China is
expected to have over 15m users, followed by India with about 8m, and
Australia and Korea slightly behind.
http://www.economictimes.com/today/04tech01.htm
Information courtesy: Irfan Khan <KhanIA@super.net.pk> and the
South-Asia-IT mailing list <s-asia-it@apnic.net>
******************************************************************
SHOHOJOGI-AIDS from Bangladesh a mailing list and discussion
forum based on HIV/AIDS issues.
See postings here: http://www.hivnet.ch:8000/bangladesh/tdm
******************************************************************
DRIK-LEARN INITIATIVE: an initiative to provide computer
education to the rural kids. the initiative is also associated
with Mit Media Lab in the USA. (http://www.drik.net/learn) trying
to have more information from the organizers.
******************************************************************
KIDS TURN INTO MICROSOFT CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS: In India Subia
Hashmat, 11 and Supriya Singh, 12 are probably the youngest
"person ever to attempt and clear the Microsoft Certified
Professional examination." Story at
http://www.rediff.com/computer/1999/aug/04mcp.htm
Meanwhile in Pakistan a 14-year student Bilal Iqbal "is the
youngest Microsoft Certified System Engineer". Details at
http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0011/S1102/S1102103.htm
Info courtesy: owner-s-asia-it@apnic.net
******************************************************************
TECH NEEDS OF NON-PROFIT GROUPS: After 18 months of research and
consultation to analyze the technology needs of the nonprofit
sector, the National Strategy for Nonprofit Technology (NSNT),
has developed a blueprint for how the sector can use technology
more effectively and creatively. The blueprint is published on
the web at http://www.nten.org. You may also retrieve it via
email by sending a message to jmcLOKA@hamp.hampshire.edu using as
your SUBJECT-line GET BLUEPRINT. The NSNT blueprint recommended a
series of steps be taken that, combined, should increase the
technology resources, tools and know-how of the nonprofit sector.
Information courtesy: Richard Zorza <rzorza@earthlink.net>
******************************************************************
SARAI: (sary, sho-rai) n. (Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali,
Persian, Turkish) an enclosed space in a city, or, beside a
highway, where travellers and caravans can find shelter,
sustenance and companionship...
Sarai is to study the transformations of the contemporary
cultural space in India. Sarai aims to become a focal point of
independent and critical new media culture in Delhi.
It plans to host websites, online discussion forums and news
groups; provide free and public access internet facilities and
offline/dial-up connectivity, create and maintain a non-
commercial ISP server and encourage the generation and
dissemination of alternative software and shareware; host
visiting media practitioners and scholars; conduct exchange
programmes for scholars, artists and media activists on an
international scale, etc
The Sarai initiative will have an active South Asian focus.
More info: Shuddhabrata Sengupta <raqs@vsnl.com>
http://www.sarai.net
******************************************************************
EASIER TO FIND BLOOD DONORS: (By N Venugopal HYDERABAD 16 AUGUST)
-- Thanks to the spirited efforts of two Hyderabad-based IT
companies, the hassles of finding a matching blood donor and
making a deal in an emergency are going to be lessened. One can
find a prospective blood donor and access the donor
instantaneously from a large database, with only the click of a
button. Enfolg NetSoft Solutions (ENS) and Cyber Planet Web
Services (CPWS), the two IT companies focusing on Internet-
related software services, have come out with the site
http://www.blood-donors.com, to be launched shortly.
More info: http://www.economictimes.com/today/17tech04.htm
Info courtesy: Irfan Khan <KhanIA@super.net.pk> and the South-
Asia-IT mailing list <s-asia-it@apnic.net>
******************************************************************
PLUGGED IN: THIRD WORLD STRUGGLES TO GET ONLINE
Issue: Digital Divide/ International
The Internet has been hailed as the ultimate global information
network, but the promise of bringing the world online is far from
a reality in 1999 when only 2% of the globe has access to the
Internet. Developing nations -- faced with poverty, illiteracy
and lack of telecommunications infrastructure have been slow to
stake out their place on the Net. People in many Third World
countries have been forced to be very creative in forging links
to the World Wide Web.
SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Nicole Volpe
http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/breaking/internet/docs/761187l.htm
******************************************************************
SPEECH ANALYSER FOR "INDIAN" ENGLISH: IBM Software Group on
August 17 launched the 'Indian English' version of speech
recognition software, ViaVoice, for the OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) market. IBM ViaVoice has been developed to suit the
Indian English accent with the help of Speech & Software
Technologies (India), a Tata group company. IBM had been working
for nearly a year to develop ViaVoice. In order the make the
software recognise Indian accented speech, an Indian acoustic
model with frequently-used Indian words has been built, the
company said. Speech recognition software is used for giving
commands to computers, as a dictation tool and as a reader, among
other things. The starter set vocabulary consists of 62,000 words
occurring frequently in the 16 million sentences collected from
various Indian publications. This software has been trained to
recognise words such as lakh (a hundred thousand), crore (ten
million), Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras) and other proper
nouns which are unique to India.
http://www.economictimes.com/today/18tech01.htm
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FIRST HINDI PORTAL (Sept 23) Indian Internet users need no longer
communicate in English. With the launch of an Internet portal in
Hindi, http://www.webdunia.com, the information superhighway has
been opened up for millions of people who use only Hindi as the
means for communication. Webduniya offers usual e-mail and chat
service provided by other websites, and also rich information on
India from news and current affairs to culture arts and music,
entertainment, astrology, religions, festivals and rituals.
Suvi Information Systems has developed E-patra which, it claims,
enables one to send e-mail messages in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati,
Malayalam and Punjabi even if one does not have a lingual keyboard. It
has also developed E-varta, which enables multi-lingual online chat.
******************************************************************
BRIDGING THE INFO-GAP: SDNP-PAKISTAN is the Sustainable
Development Networking Programme (http://www.sdnp.undp.org). It
is one of the first public email service providers -- having
started its services way back in March 1994.
In a nutshell, SDNP's aim is to promote sustainable development
through electronic networking. But during the initial phase of
its operations, in the absence of any public networking services
available in Pakistan, it tried to promote electronic networking
per se and act as a catalyst for creating a national network. It
was a demonstration project to show that even without any massive
capital investment or the use of state of the art networking
technologies, a cheap dialup alternative could cater for useful
national and international networking needs.
See the 'Story of SDNP Pakistan' prepared for the NetAid's
website http://www.sdnp.org.pk/aboutus1.htm
SDNP was the first network in Pakistan to introduce international
Usenet newsgroups and APC conferences in March '94. It is also
the first -- and so far the only network in Pakistan -- to launch
a host of information services. Ranging from the extremely
popular 'Cybermart' (a daily electronic leaflet of ads and
announcements) to about half a dozen active discussion lists, a
dozen distribution lists (for various kinds of news services and
net publications) and more than 30 Usenet-like newsgroups, it
provides a fairly wide choice. All these information services are
free and more are in the offing
http://www.sdnp.org.pk/service1.htm
SDNP is to also develop its own web site envisioned to become a
one-stop site for all significant development information about
Pakistan.
Info from: Hasan A. Rizvi" <rizvi@sdnpk.undp.org>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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STRUGGLING FOR WEB-ACCESS: Having Web sites on the Internet is
only half the battle. The real challenge is to provide access
nationally in a country with very little infrastructure.
http://www.economictimes.com/today/18tech04.htm
******************************************************************
INFO CENTER ON MICRO-FINANCE: PlaNet Finance has launched the on-
line information center on micro-finance, PlaNet Library, during
the month of September. It allows you to view on-line on-going
events from the world of micro finance, publications, up-to-date
newsletters from specialists and interviews. You can also gain
real access to an on-line documentation center storing scientific
and technical reports, case studies, articles, methodology,
working papers, project publications, report notes and theses.
To become a partner, visit
http://www.planetfinance.org/fr/library/library.htm or contact
library@planetbank.org
Info courtesy: Gnassounou Viwanou <vgnassou@PLANETBANK.ORG>
******************************************************************
DEAD-ENDS IN CYBERSPACE? Twenty nations all but bar the Internet
from their borders out of fear that the medium is a threat to
either national security or the social order, a French media
organization said in a report released earlier this week.
Reporters Sans Frontiers' list focuses on the countries of
Central Asia and the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Kirghizia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Also on the
list: Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North
Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and
Vietnam.
******************************************************************
INTERNET SOCIETAL TASK FORCE has its web-site at
http://istf.isoc.org You may find it interesting and useful.
******************************************************************
PAKISTAN'S INTERNET BACKBONE: (Recorder Report) Pakistan's
National Internet Backbone (NIBB) will be operative by October
1999 decreasing the time consumed in surfing for the user of
Internet manifold. It will also support the local software
industry, Pakistani Information Technology Board chairman Dr
Jawed Ghani was quoted as saying by reports from Lahore on Aug
23 said.
He said that PTCL has laid additional fibre optics lines on both
sides of the Indus of which 12 line pairs are lying un-utilised.
Only one line pair will be sufficient to meet the data
transmission needs of the country as it could carry 150 Mega
bites of database while the country's international traffic of
data is not more than 12 megabytes, he added.
http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0010/S1002/S1002106.htm
******************************************************************
INTERNET PRICING IN INDIA: Rediff on the Net has published a good
story on the pricing of internet services in India, and why,
inspite of the presence of private ISPs, the internet access
remains expensive in India.
http://www.rediff.com/computer/1999/aug/21isp.htm
******************************************************************
INT'L WOMEN'S UNIV TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE: From July 15th to
October 15th 2000, on the occasion of the world exposition in
Hanover (EXPO 2000), Germany, the International Women's
University will offer 900 female students from all over the world
the opportunity to participate in a postgraduate program in
English which will be centered in Hanover. Subjects include Body,
City, Information, Migration, Water, Work. In order to become an
ifu scholar, you are expected to commit yourself to one of the
project areas, and your academic specialization should be from a
related field.
Please note that ifu particularly looks forward to receiving
applications from women artists as well as political activists
working in NGOs. Apply before Oct 15, 1999.
Details: http://www.int-frauenuni.de
******************************************************************
ORIENTATION BANGLADESH: Orientation.com, the world's first global
network of local and regional Internet portals, in partnership
with Drik, (http://www.drik.net) a renowned visual resource
company that also boasts multimedia and ISP services in
Bangladesh has launched Orientation Bangladesh
(http://bd.orientation.com). The new Web site provides
Bangladeshis one of the first-ever independent forums for timely
news, information, and community discussions in their history.
Orientation Bangladesh delivers news, historical and cultural
information, economic and commerce data, an extensive database of
Bangla Web sites, and free email that will help fuel the
country's drive into the 21st century.
For citizens both of Bangladesh and of the world, Orientation
gives a unique opportunity to learn more about the country and
history of Bangladesh -- in the local language -- and gives
insight about where the country is headed through the emergence
of high technology. Our alliance with Drik is a critical
component to achieving this success.
Today, Drik estimates that nearly 50,000 people are online
in Bangladesh as the market continues to grow daily.
http://bd.orientation.com
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THIRD WORLD INTERNET: By David Zgodzinsky <davidz@cam.org>
The Internet will be much more important to the poorer countries
of the world than it is to their wealthier neighbors. It's a type
of reverse colonialism. For a relatively small cost, citizens of
developing countries can exploit industrialized wealthy nations
for an endless supply of that precious commodity -- information.
http://www.internetworld.com/print/monthly/1996/12/thirdworld.shtml
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NEW JOURNAL ON IS IN DEV. COUNTRIES: The Electronic Journal for
Information Systems In Developing Countries (EJISDC) strives to
become the foremost international forum for practitioners,
teachers, researchers and policy makers to share their knowledge
and experience in the design, development, implementation,
management and evaluation of information systems and technologies
in developing countries.
EJISDC targets the digital divide. Our aim is to situate
contemporary trends in ICTs within a fully global context that
moves away from the currently skewed perspective of developed
countries.
EJISDC intends to reach its audience in a manner that is
consistent with its mission. It will be published electronically.
There will be no subscription fees.
Editor-in-Chief, Roger Harris, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak,
roger@mailhost.fit.unimas.my
Visit the journal's website for further information
http://www.unimas.my/fit/roger/EJISDC/EJISDC.htm
******************************************************************
INDIAN SATCOM SYSTEM: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-
DOT), a premier telecom research organisation, has developed
India's first satellite communications system. The technology
developed by C-DOT, called Insat-MSS, uses transponders in the
Insat series of satellites and is ideally suited for providing
telephone connections in those areas where it is not cost
effective to lay the conventional cable-based network, reports in
August said.
According to sources, DoT is planning to induct 1,000 satellite
phones in its network. These phones will be installed in the
rural areas as village public telephones (VPTs).
DETAILS http://www.economictimes.com/250899/25tech02.htm
******************************************************************
SOUTH ASIA PUBLIC HEALTH FORUM DISCUSSION GROUP: This email list
is meant for the exchange of ideas and information among Public
Health Professionals Worldwide, but especially who have interest
in South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri
Lanka and Maldives). Postings are welcome about research, health
issues and social and economic changes in the region. Also feel
free to post Public Health job postings. To subscribe please
visit the website at
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Sauna/7723
or email saphf@geocities.com
******************************************************************
INEQUALITY IN COMPUTER ACCESS: The United States has more
computers than the rest of the world combined. Bulgaria has more
Internet hosts than the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, excluding
South Africa. South Asia, with 23 per cent of the world's people,
has less than one per cent of the world's Internet users.
SOURCE: Media-Mentor, George Lessard
http://www.undp.org/hdro/report.html
******************************************************************
FREE COMPUTER COURSE FOR TEACHERS: India's leading IT training
institution, NIIT, has offered a free computer literacy program,
SWIFT Start, to school teachers at all NIIT Centres around the
country beginning from Indian Teachers' Day, September 5.
NIIT will be offering the eight-hour SWIFT Start Program that
will expose teachers to the fundamentals of computers like, how
to word-process a document, how to create a spreadsheet, how to
surf on the Internet and use an email. Teachers could enrol for
this program at any nearest NIIT education centre between
September 6 and 11.
http://www.rediff.com/computer/1999/sep/04niit.htm
******************************************************************
SOFTWARE FOR NON-PROFITS: The Technology Project of the
Rockefeller Family Fund offers for free download off the web a
database package designed for nonprofits that need to track
donors, members, and supporters.
It has all in one database for activist, volunteer,demographic,
and civic participation data all in the same database, so you can
analyze these data against each other, and against membership &
donor data.
http://www.ebase.org
******************************************************************
TechKnowLogia, INT'L ONLINE Journal of Technologies for the
advancement of knowledge and learning. Subscription is free.
http://www.TechKnowLogia.org
SOURCE: Richard Labelle, Information Technology and
Management Practices for Development. email: rlab@sympatico.ca
******************************************************************
BYTESFORALL LINKS UP WITH PAKISTAN INTERNET JOURNAL: SPIDER,
the Internet magazine from Pakistan and BytesForAll have
worked out a collaboration arrangement, for reproduction
rights of material published on this unique web-site.
BytesForAll is <http://www.bytesforall.org> an online
newsletter which aims at updating readers about new and
interesting people-oriented IT (information technology)
ventures and initiatives in South Asia. Attempts that focus
on people before profits.
SPIDER magazine <http://www.spider.tm> -- the first Internet
mags on the sub-continent -- was launched by XIBERCOM and the
Dawn Group of Newspapers.
"Now, with the linkup with a Pakistan-based Internet
magazine, we have further narrowed the cybergap that exists
in this region which has enormous software skills, and a
crying-need for people-oriented software," said a news
release from BytesForAll.
SPIDER editor Ms Bina Shah said of BytesForAll: "We received
word of your online newsletter, Bytes for All, and were very
impressed with what we saw."
In keeping with its policy of generating and collating useful
information that remains accessible to the public domain, and
to the widest number of readers, BytesForAll agreed to
SPIDER's request for permission to reprint articles from the
newsletter.
SPIDER carries cover stories and feature articles on the
development of the Internet and how it affects Pakistanis all
over the world.
BytesForAll has, in its brief two-month period of existence,
already drawn enthusiastic responses from across the globe.
It is a non-profit, volunteer-driven project which "aims to
make computing and the Internet relevant to (the needs of)
the millions", particularly those in South Asia, and other
areas of the Third World.
In another development, Earl Mardle of KeyNet Consultancy
"Using ICT in the Real World" in Australia
(http://www.kn.com.au) has pledged to contribute to
BytesForAll regularly.
Commented Earl: "It would be a good exercise for me to get my
head around the issues that face most of the world's
population rather than the often trivial problems 'suffered'
by its richest inhabitants."
******************************************************************
THANKS IN A BIG WAY TO Iwan Baan <iwan@iwan.com> who is into
photography, books, multimedia at http://www.iwan.com for
supporting the BytesForAll site and making our adventure with
the web possible. Also hats off the Partha Pratim Sarker (a
friend I've never met except via email) for putting in all
the work that made http://www.bytesforall.org a possiblity.
Check out our new web-site.
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bYtES For aLL * Compiled jointly by
Frederick Noronha, Journalist Goa India fred@vsnl.com and
Partha Pratim Sarker, Drik Multimedia, Dhaka 1209 partha@drik.net
Compiled in public interest * May be freely circulated *
Pls credit source http://www.bytesforall.org
OUR UPDATES, EARLIER ISSUES AND MORE, AVAILABLE ON ABOVE SITE
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