GNU/Linux distributions for Differently-abled people from CDAC, Mumbai

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Mumbai has released beta versions of GNU/Linux distributions for Differently-abled people. These distributions are part of the activities being carried out under “Enhancing Accessibility for FOSS Desktops” project under NRCFOSS-Phase II at CDAC, Mumbai. There are three distributions specific to three different kinds of disabilities namely:

1. GNU/Linux distribution for Visually-challenged: This is a GNU/Linux distribution (beta version – 0.1.1) created specially for visually challenged users. Visually challenged users can use it out of the box because accessibility settings required by them are already enabled.

2. GNU/Linux distribution for Physically-challenged: ‘GNU/Linux for Physically Challenged-Beta-0.1.1′ is a special distribution for physically challenged people, so that they can easily access FOSS desktops.

3. GNU/Linux distribution for Cognitively-challenged: This GNU/Linux distribution has been developed to provide an accessible desktop environment to the cognitively challenged users.

These distributions and other related documentation can be downloaded from here.

Note: It is advisable to go through documentation first before installing/using the distribution. In case of error in any download and for feedback on distributions,  one can contact at ossd[at]cdac[dot]in.

Some questions about Navi Mumbai Metro Rail Project

Recently, work on Navi Mumbai Metro Rail Project has been started in Kharghar node of Navi Mumbai. As a result, various roads at various places in Kharghar have been dug up. Trees have been cut. But as a resident of Kharghar, I feel some question need to be asked from the concerned authorities. These questions may be:

1. Which company has been awarded the contract for the project? At now place where the work is started, the name of contracted company is displayed.

2. Whether any kind of feasibility study has been conducted, not clear. Sign boards showing the proposed locations of metro stations have been erected at various points whether residential or commercial or public. Will anybody make it clear how a metro station be built in a highly dense residential area?

3. Whether the consent of central railway ministry is required before starting a metro rail project in a city. If yes, has it been taken? If not, how is the work started?

4. How long will it taken to complete the work?

5. There has been no information or news in news papers etc..

There has been many more such questions. Will authorities listen and answer in public interest?

How will I remember 2011?

2011 has set in past now. It was not  like all other previous years by any means.  I often uttered throughout the year, "यह क्रांति का साल है|". Of-course, it was been a year of "Kranti" (Revolutions) throughout the world starting from Egypt, Tunisia, Libya etc. to far away in west . People demonstrated their dissatisfaction with their respective establishments by every possible means. Our country was also no exception. In the face of "Anna", we found a symbol to fight against corruption. His initiative mobilized general public across the nation and shaken the government  and political class. It is due to this initiative that public now desperately wants to have her say in governance matters. She is no longer ready to be the victim of corruption.

This year has also witnessed events that will leave permanent marks in history.  One side, demon figures like Osama, Gadaffi met with their fate. On the other side, Steve Jobs, Jagjit Singh, Bhupen Hazarika, Dev Anand etc. left  us. Wish they might have enriched human civilization for some more years.

But, why will I remember it for the rest of my life? All these kind of events affect you a bit, but important are incidents or experiences that you undergo on personal front. So, I will remember 2011 due to those events (good or bad) that have affected me personally. There are lessons that I have learnt this year:

1. One should be extremely patient, when he faces his worst. Life always have surprises for you. Much less happened the way you want. So, whatever be the circumstances you are in, Its better you face them, handle them and come out.

2. Do not jump to a conclusion immediately. Wait, analyze, understand and then, act. Because, again Life will give a surprise to you. It may happen that nothing around you is in good shape, but keep faith in life. Good will come one day.

3. Everything you have today will leave you one day. Every story has its end. 

4. Life and loved ones in your life are precious. Preserve!

Therefore, every moment in life teaches us a new thing. I have also learnt something. Hope, 2012 is peaceful and healthy for everyone. 

GEM (GEstures with Mouse) – a mouse gesture based input mechanism from CDAC, Mumbai

CDAC, Mumbai has released beta-0.1 version of GEM (GEstures with Mouse). It is an open source input mechanism which uses gestures as input to the system. Gestures can be drawn using a mouse or some equivalent device like touch pad, joystick, pen tablet etc. Gestures can drawn either as single-part (continuous) or multi-part (discontinuous) as shown in screen shots below:

Drawing a single-part gesture in input window

Drawing a multi-part gesture in input window

This Input mechanism is intended for people suffering with different kinds of motor disabilities, who may face problems in using mouse and keyboard in conventional way. Hence, it provides them with an alternate and effective mechanism for using the system to perform various tasks such as navigation, executing commands & keyboard shortcuts, and launching applications etc. on Linux desktop.

More details about GEM can be accessed at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/accessibility.

GEM related URLs:

1. Accessibility Project Main page at CDAC, Mumbai website can be accessed at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/accessibility.

2. GEM can be download at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/projects/accessibility/gem-beta-0.1.tar.gz.

3. User documentation for GEM can be accessed at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/projects/accessibility/How-To-Use-GEM.pdf.

Feedbacks, bug reports or feature enhancement requests about the application can be sent to ossd[at]cdac[dot]in.

National Workshop on Adaptive Instruction at CDAC, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai during December 15-16, 2011

This workshop will explore the current trends in the field of personalization in the context of e-learning, particularly in instruction delivery. As we all are aware, e-learning has been around for quite a long time now. It is widely accepted by both the industry and the academics as a convenient medium for providing learning environment to the employees/students. E-learning can be made more effective by personalizing the instruction and adapting it to suit the individual learner. The workshop addresses issues and challenges in adaptive instruction and highlights the emerging trends in adaptive instruction. The participants will also get to experience the work of C-DAC Mumbai in creating and using adaptive instruction in education with Anurup . The workshop will also provide an opportunity to interact with participants from different organizations and industry practitioners interested in the emerging area.

This workshop is being organized by CDAC, Mumbai at their Kharghar, Navi Mumbai campus. More details about the workshop can be accessed at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/index.php/news_and_events/national_workshop_on_adaptive_instruction

National Workshop on FOSS Desktop Accessibility on August 26, 2011 at CDAC, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

In today’s world, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is growing day by day. We use these technologies very extensively in fulfilling our routine tasks like bill payments, banking transactions, reservations and many more to the extent that ICT is not a luxury, but necessity today. A large section of the society comprising people with disabilities finds it difficult to use ICT in the same way as normal people do. This includes the visually impaired (fully or partially blind), hearing impaired, people with cognitive disabilities (memory loss, etc.) and cerebral problems etc..

Such people have to be provided with different kinds of assistive technologies either software-based or hardware-based to make ICT accessible to them. A large number of software-based assistive technologies are normally in the form of applications running on desktops which make common desktop applications (office applications, browser etc.) accessible for the disabled person. Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) tools/techniques play an important role in creating assistive technologies that are free-of-cost, available to all, easily maintainable etc. for a large portion of population in a country like India.

The workshop intends to provide a platform for promotion and adoption of FOSS in the area of accessibility as well as creating opportunities for all stakeholders to discuss and identify the areas of accessibility that are still untouched. The workshop will host keynote and invited lectures by distinguished personalities of the field.

This workshop is being organized by CDAC, Mumbai at their Kharghar, Navi Mumbai campus. More details about the workshop can be accessed at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/index.php/news_and_events/national_workshop_on_foss_desktop_accessibility.

National Workshop on FOSS Adoption in Education on August 27, 2011 at CDAC, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

Many softwares have been developed for adopting technology in education for resource availability, sharing, and access to them even after school/college hours. There have also been developments aimed to ease other educational activities like course enrollment, conduct of examination from setting question papers to correcting answers and displaying results. Such softwares are available in the market in both forms proprietary and open source.

Unlike the proprietary softwares, Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) alternatives are free of cost, source code is available with the software, and the institution has freedom to modify the source code to customize the software as per requirement. For modification and maintenance the institution has full freedom to develop the required skills in-house with the help of faculties and system admin staff or they can choose to hire external help.

However, one of the problems is there are many FOSS tools available and a novice institution/teacher/software development organization has to take lot of efforts to short-list/choose a software for adoption. They will have to spend days looking for different softwares, their reviews, comparisons, etc. If such problems are reduced for the ease of FOSS adoption then the institutions/teachers can reap the above benefits of FOSS much more seamlessly.

The workshop intents to promote technology and FOSS adoption in educational institutions. Various FOSS tools in education will be demonstrated in the workshop. The participants will also get to experience the work of C-DAC Mumbai in promoting technology/FOSS in education. The workshop will provide an opportunity to interact with participants from different organizations and industry practitioners. The workshop will involve keynote and invited lectures by distinguished researchers and/or professionals.

This workshop is being organized by CDAC, Mumbai at their Kharghar, Navi Mumbai campus. More Details about the workshop can be accessed at http://www.cdacmumbai.in/index.php/news_and_events/national_workshop_on_foss_adoption_in_education