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Bangladesh Open Source Network

"Throughout history, every generation has had to stand up for freedom. Now it's our turn"

Articles

It's not the Gates, it's the bars
by Richard Stallman (Translated by Munir Hasan)
To pay so much attention to Bill Gates' retirement is missing the point. What really matters is not Gates, nor Microsoft, but the unethical system of restrictions that Microsoft, like many other software companies, imposes on its customers.
Published: Jul 31, 2008
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Bangla Language, Bangla Academy, Wikipedia and Our Children
by Mohammad Golum Nabi
Author describe the efforts of volunteers to promote the pride of Bangla language Movement through Wikipedia. At the sametime, he requested Bangla Acadmy to take effective measures to uphold the Bangla language in cyber world. He also urges to change tje rules of the academy's membership so that the student can also be a prt of it.
Published: Feb 21, 2008
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Golam Nabi on SoftExpo 2008
by Mohammad Golam Nabi
In this column, technology columnlist Mohammad Golam Nabi expresssed his idea about Soft Expo and BASIS. He expressed that BASIS is not performing its task towards nation building.
Published: Feb 14, 2008
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Software Piracy and Bangladesh
by Munir Hasan
This artilce covers the aspect of CopyRight issue for the least developed country. As per WTO agreement, LDCs have waiver of strict application of Copy Right law. The article also brief how this issue can be handle with Open Source Software.
Published: Dec 05, 2007
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Why Software Should Not Have Owners
by Richard M Stallman and translated by Shiper Martin
Shiper translated the famous article by RMS. In this article, RMS shows why software should be free and should have certain freedom.
Published: Jun 24, 2007
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Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) is a non-profit, voluntary initiative of Bangladesh Fundamental Research Institute (BdFRI). It was launched on 24th October 2005 in Dhaka. The initial idea is to create a broad organization where the Open Source and Open Content volunteers and professionals can exchange their ideas and embark on new initiatives. In the last year after formation BdOSN has matured into an independent organization with partnerships with other Open Source based organization and individuals.

The Aim/Goal
To harness the potential of Open Source and Open Content philosophy

for the social and economic development of the country, and
to prepare the nation to avoid possible significantly negative consequences of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)-related trade repercussions arising from the widespread use of pirated software and content.

Some of the objectives

To establish a non-profit, voluntary organization that will offer processes for enhancing the abilities and capacity of individuals, groups, institutions, organizations, societies, and government in Bangladesh by using Open Source and Open Content solutions for their sustained economic and social development.
To promote Open Source and Open Content philosophy in all applicable fields for the social and economic development.
To popularize Open Source and Open Content philosophy in general and Open Source Software (OSS) in particular.
To conduct policy advocacy on Open Source and Open Content to relevant stakeholders including the government, businesses, civil society and general citizens.
To bridge the digital divide among different parts of the nation by facilitating and catalyzing the adoption, development and localization of OSS amongst individuals, groups, institutions, organizations, societies, and government of Bangladesh.
To facilitate translation, localization and development of Open Source and Open Content materials according to national needs.
To organize and assist in organizing various capacity building sessions for translation, localization, development and adoption of Open Source and Open Content materials.
To establish a network of individuals from the academia, private sector, civil society, government, general citizenry and non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) who will work collaboratively to fulfill the objectives of the organization.
To engage national and international bodies to provide necessary support, collaboration and funding to promote Open Source and Open Content in Bangladesh.
To establish a technical and professional services resource center to facilitate greater adoption of Open Source and Open Content in the academia, government, civil society organizations, and other institutions, including placing students working on Open Source/Open Content projects on internships within the industry.
To establish a "Open Source Software Support Center (OSSSC)" that will house information, resources, CD-ROMs and other syndicated open source materials from local and global sources.
To disseminate Open Source and Open Content materials to large segments of the society through various means.
To develop and maintain a national and international database of key experts and subject matter specialists on Open Source and Open Content.
To develop local capacity and create job opportunities for women and youth in Bangladesh by developing an Open Source and Open Content market.

Our Activities

Popularization Localization Bangla Wiki

Bangla Wikipedia Statistics

Articles: 18115
Images: 1356
Editors: 2999
Admins: 7
Total Edits: 353642

Date: August 28, 2008
See details in Wikipedia

Related Links

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Open Source GPL Tutorial

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Syndication

Downloads

Open Office 2.0 (Bangla) Firefox(Web Browser)

Courtesy > oswd.org

For any query or suggestions please contact Webadmin

Other Affairs

First BdOSN Code Sprint concluded with much appreciation and success

Four teams of students, led by professional software engineers from the industry, developed four Open Source Software in First BdOSN CodeSprint 2008 held in Sylhet from 15th to 17th August. The concluding ceremony was held on 17th August with the demonstration of the projects. The concluding ceremony was attended by the students, teachers as well as the participabts. Ms. Anika Mahmud, Lecturer of the department of CSE attended the same as the guest of honor. BdOSN arranged this event for the first time in Bangladesh with the support of SUST Open Source Network and CSE Society.

The SPIDER team, led by Tamim Shahriar Subeen, developed a tool which will allow the user to know the stock price on real time from cell phone. The team used Python as their programming language. Zakaria Chowdhury, along with his team - HOTCAKE, developed a rapid website development tool using PHP. Team GITTU, led by Mizanur Rahman Bipul, developed a social networking tool in Bangla and Omar Shehab, leading his team SHIAL MAMA, developed a Mozilla FireFox toolbar extension which will allow the user to type in Bangla in web page forms even if there is no Bangla support in the system.

--by BPR

Sylhet, August 17, 2008 READMORE

First CodeSprint in Bangladesh begin

Students of Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology , Sylhet and few professionals start the first Code Sprint organized by Bangladesh Open Source Network. Professionals from Tiger It Ltd, Nilavo Software, Webcraft Bd Ltd, Arena Mobile and D.Net Bangladesh are also participating in the sprint. Supported by the CSE Society and OSN of SUST, the 3 days event begins with much enthusiasm. The programmer attending the Sprint will focus on 4 projects- A visual tool for quick website development, mobile tool for stock price searching, Development of a Bangla social networking site and a simple Bangla Input plug-in for Firefox.

The Sprint was inaugurated by Khandaker Tavir , Lecturer of CSE Department SUST and also addressed by the General Secretary of BdOSN.

--by BPR

SUST, Sylhet, August 15, 2008 READMORE

UGC Chairman appreciated the members of NSTU OSN

Professor Dr Nazrul Islam Khan, the Chairman of the University Grant Commission appreciated the creative activities of the members of Open Source Network of the NSTU. In his recent visit to the university, he inaugurated the website of the CSTE Department of the University developed by NSTU OSN. On this occasion, a simple ceremony titled "Interactive Software as an Emerging Technology", was organized at the CSTE Department. Mr M.Mushfiq-E Mahabub presented the OS Philosophy and the necessity of using open source software in the country. He explained that the cost is not the only the reason, but to dominate in the field of technology, Bangladesh don't have any alternative other than using the open source software.

--by MeM

Noakhali, Bangladesh, August 09, 2008 READMORE

Talk on Zen Cart held

The monthly talk of BdOSN for the month of July 2008 held at FREPD auditorium on 26th July 2008. Mr Suhreed Sarker presented the keynote talk on the topic �e-commerce site development using Zen card�. ( Zen Cart) an open source shopping cert software is now gaining popularity among the e-commerce site developer. Mr Sarker explained that the popularity was because of its user friendly environment and new features. Some of the features included but not limited to multiple customer modes, unlimited category depth , multiple sales and discounts , XHTML template system , multiple shipping options , multiple payment options, provision for gift voucher etc. Besides the programme allowed to write and uses third party plug-ins in a comfortable manner. He showed the different aspect of the programme to the audience.

--by BPR

Dhaka, July 26, 2008 READMORE