> I request all members to suggest concrete methods by which this > project can be rescued and made into Open Source stack, instead of > merely complaining on a mailing list. >
IMO, If we can get some details on the architecture from UIDAI, we might be able to justify our concerns. So, I guess, the first step is to establish contact with the UIDAI technical group (atleast, one among the various departments/modules) --------- I have a suggestion. Can we rope in Dr. Abdul Kalam to mediate in this matter? I am quoting from what Dr. Kalam said about open source software when he was president of India: "I would like to narrate an event that took place in Rashtrapati Bhavan a few months back when I met Bill Gates, the CEO of Microsoft. While walking in the Mughal garden, we were discussing the future challenges in Information Technology including the issues related to software security. I made a point that we look for open source codes so that we can easily introduce the users built security algorithms Our discussions became difficult since our views were different.The most unfortunate thing is that India still seems to believe in proprietary solutions. Further spread of IT which is influencing the daily life of individuals would have a devastating effect on the lives of society due to any small shift in the business practice involving these proprietory solutions. It is precisely for these reasons open source software need to be built which would be cost effective for the entire society. In India, open source code software will have to come and stay in a big way for the bene fit of our billion people." The entire speech was available on NIC's website for the President of India; itpromptly was completely removed from existence the day Dr.Kalam completed his tenure! Here's a link in my company's site: (the speech is now available only in private company links, so I am sorry for the shameless plug: http://fossible.kgisl.com/fossible/users.php?mode=apj_speek I feel a person of Dr. Kalam's stature is needed in this fight, and the vested interests will have to bow down and give way. Does anyone here have contacts with Dr. Kalam? Please let us keep this chat going. --------------- Incidentally, a similar topic by Swapnil was categorised as off-topic by some, I would like to opine otherwise. FOSS is very much a social phenomenon as much as it is a matter of technology. We have to stand up and be counted to survive in the predatory world of proprietary software. I quote from Wikipedia: "The free software movement is a social and political movement with the goal of ensuring software users' four basic freedoms: the freedom to run their software, to study and change their software, and to redistribute copies with or without changes." Thanks for reading. ...KRS _______________________________________________ ILUGC Mailing List: http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
