From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Tue Nov 2 05:59:52 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA100179; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 05:57:07 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA100170 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 05:57:00 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 ([203.130.7.175]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id BAA26265 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 01:03:58 -0500 Message-Id: <199911020603.BAA26265@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 00:57:37 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Dubai launches cybercity X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Dubai launches cybercity By Frank Gardner in Dubai The Gulf emirate of Dubai has announced it is building the world's first free trade zone for business done over the internet. Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Muhammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum told a news conference that marketing for the $200m 'Dubai Internet City' would begin on Sunday and that operations would begin in one year's time. "My vision is simple," Sheikh Muhammed told journalists. "In the future all commercial action will be in cyberspace. But the cyber world will need a ground base on this physical world." He said the world's leading computer companies have been invited to set up offices in the zone, situated just outside Dubai, and that they will be offered 100% foreign ownership and 50-year renewable land leases. Sheikh Muhammed Al-Maktoum, who has been one of the driving forces behind Dubai's bid to diversify its income away from its dwindling oil reserves, referred to recent estimates of the global electronic commerce industry as being worth around $40bn. Internet university He told journalists that the planned Dubai Internet City is expected to attract all businesses in the internet-related industry, from venture capitalists to software and multimedia developers. The city is set to include a research and development centre, a science and technology park, and an internet university, offering short courses in e-commerce, design and management. Proposals for joining the new cybercity are likely to be discussed by many of the participants at the Gulf's largest computer show, Gitex '99, which opened in Dubai on Saturday, 30 October. Gitex, which is the world's third largest IT exhibition, draws exhibitors from both the West and South Asia. Telephone monopoly Large numbers of Indian computer specialists work in Dubai. Sheikh Muhammed said that Dubai officials had visited Bangalore, India's IT capital, and that efforts were being made to lure some of the best brains to Dubai. But while Dubai has earned itself a reputation as the commercial capital of the Gulf, business analysts point out that the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a part, has one of the most restrictive internet access policies in the world. Government officials say this is necessary to shield this Muslim country from foreign pornography and that there is no restriction on business done over the internet But in a practice which has long become outdated in much of the world, the local telephone company, Etisalat, maintains a complete monopoly on all telephone, fax and internet communications into and out of the country. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_493000/49391 5.stm From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Tue Nov 2 05:59:53 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA100182; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 05:57:08 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA100171 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 05:57:01 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 ([203.130.7.175]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id BAA26271 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 01:04:03 -0500 Message-Id: <199911020604.BAA26271@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 00:57:37 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Media Video plans low-cost PCs for education sector X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [will it be THE computer for people? the price is amazingly low. (1 US$= IRs 43.41 as of today) ik] Media Video plans low-cost PCs for education sector T S Vishwanath NEW DELHI 31 OCTOBER A LITTLE known computer software company, Media Video Limited, is now entering the world of computers with a pricing strategy that will give it a large slice of the low-end market. "We are entering the educational computers arena with computers priced between Rs 1,250 and Rs 2,750 for the semi-urban and rural market," the managing director of the company, Mr Prem Adip Rishi, told The Economic Times. "The idea is to import the low-end, 8-bit computers from south-east Asian countries and sell them in the local market. The price of eight-bit chips has fallen drastically in the international market and we hope to capitalise on that. The import duty on this is also very low," Mr Rishi said. The company is, in fact, importing all the hardware at around 40 per cent duty. The kit will have to be attached to the television and used as a computer, Mr Rishi said. The company hopes to sell over half-a-million of these computers in the country through its retail network of over 1,500 distributors, Mr Rishi said. The company, Mr Rishi said, had undertaken extensive research on the market penetration of PCs for six months before deciding to launch this product. The research proved that there is a good demand for such educational computers in the country especially in the semi-urban and rural markets where the high priced computers have not been able to make much headway, he said. Industry insiders, however, feel that the market for this product is not as large as the company thinks. However, the novelty element may play a major role in making these systems popular. The sources said it depends on Media Video handles the markets, sources said. What the industry sources, however, find as the company's strength will be the pricing strategy. With television having penetrated the rural markets they may be ready to invest an additional couple of thousands on a computer even if it is the low-end, sources said. Industry sources expect the computer prices to come down once the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) comes into force. With ITA in place products can be imported at zero duty and that would bring down prices, sources said. India had, in March last year, joined the ITA-I - signed by about 27 countries. ITA-I covers computers (including printers, scanners, monitors, hard-disk drives and power suppliers), telecom products (including fax machines, modems and pagers), semi-conductor manufacturing equipment, software products (like diskettes and CD-Roms) and scientific instruments. http://www.economictimes.com/today/01tech02.htm From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Tue Nov 2 06:38:36 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id GAA102880; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 06:38:26 +1000 (EST) Received: from goa1.dot.net.in (goa1.dot.net.in [202.54.17.30]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id GAA102865 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 06:38:18 +1000 (EST) Received: from goanews ([202.54.17.111]) by goa1.dot.net.in (8.9.2/8.9.2) with SMTP id CAA25930 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 02:10:30 +0530 (GMT) Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.19991102003804.0086dc90@202.54.17.30> X-Sender: fred@202.54.17.30 X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32) Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 00:38:04 +0500 To: s-asia-it@apnic.net From: Frederick Noronha Subject: NEWS FROM INDIA: BangaloreIT.Com coverage Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk >From SatyamOnline: News from BangaloreIT.Com, Asia's biggest IT show. Live coverage on SatyamOnline: http://news.satyamonline.com/itbangalore/itshow.asp Cyber laws soon, says IT secretary The cyber laws for the Information Technology regime will be put in place within two weeks, union Information Technology Secretary Jayakrishna said today. Addressiing the inaugural function of the internatioal infotech mega event- Banglore IT.Com 1999 at the electronic city near here, he said the second report on hardware, submitted by the Prime Minister's task force on information technology, was under thegovernment consideration. The Government would sort out all the issues relating to the IT sector before the next session of parliament. http://news.satyamonline.com/section.asp?SectionName=&FileName=19991101/cybe rlawnov1.htm E-commerce is the buzzword The second edition of the five-day Bangalore IT.Com `99 was inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna in Electronics City. More than 300 IT companies including top MNCs have converged at the mega IT fair which will be covered live by Satyamonline.com. http://news.satyamonline.com/section.asp?SectionName=&FileName=19991101/robi n1.htm E-governance should be left to states: Krishna Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today urged the Union Government to allow states to develop their own competency and strength in promoting electronic governance instead of the highly centralised model implemented at present. Inaugurating a three day national conference here held as part of the Bangalore IT.Com, he said there was need for a relook into the ten-year-old approach of the union government under which district information officers were posted from Delhi to manage and transmit information. http://www.news.satyamonline.com/section.asp?SectionName=&FileName=19991101/ egovernnov1.htm Sales Tax exemptions for e-commerce likely: Krishna In a major step forward in the information technology area, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today announced the creation of an independent IT secretariat by merging four major departments with a view to boost the sector and to attract international investment. http://www.news.satyamonline.com/section.asp?SectionName=&FileName=19991101/ ecommnov1.htm RELATED STORY SC refuses to interfere in HC order on CPP The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) received a major setback today when the Supreme Court refused to interfere with a Delhi High Court order staying the operation ofthe CPP regime (Calling Party Pays) in respect of calls made from fixed lines to cellular phones. http://www.news.satyamonline.com/section.asp?SectionName=&FileName=19991101/ trainov1.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 04:59:58 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id EAA109694; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 04:56:41 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id EAA109682 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 04:56:35 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-007.super.net.pk [203.130.5.146]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA24866 for ; Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:35:39 -0500 Message-Id: <199911040435.XAA24866@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:29:08 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [Abstract] Freedom of Information? The Internet as Harbinger of the New Dark Ages X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Freedom of Information? The Internet as Harbinger of the New Dark Ages by Roger Clarke There's a common presumption that the Internet has brought with it the promise of openness, democracy, the end of inequities in the distribution of information, and human self-fulfillment. Any such conclusion would be premature. The digital era has ambushed and beguiled us all. Its first-order impacts are being assimilated, but its second-order implications are not. Powerful institutions perceive their interests to be severely threatened by the last decade of technological change and by the shape of the emergent 'information economy'. Elements of their fight back are identified, particularly extensions to legal protectionism, and the active development and application of technologies that protect data from prying eyes. Many of the features that have ensured a progressive balance between data protection and freedom of access to data have already been seriously eroded. The new balance that emerges from the current period of turmoil may be far less friendly to public access and more like a New Dark Ages. http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue4_11/clarke/ The November 1999 issue of First Monday (volume 4, number 11) is now available at http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue4_11/ From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 05:11:29 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA110992; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 05:11:19 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA110984 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 05:11:12 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-007.super.net.pk [203.130.5.146]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA24959 for ; Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:37:07 -0500 Message-Id: <199911040437.XAA24959@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:29:09 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: (Fwd) IICD Email Report X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [selected entries from the IICD's monthly update of E-journal] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- From: ejournal@iicd.org Date sent: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 16:30:56 +0100 (CET) Title: Information Rich - Information Poor, Bridging the digital divide Author: Jane Black Date: 28/10/1999 Abstract: The Internet has ushered in the greatest period of wealth creation in history. It's rocked the way we deliver and receive information and the way we do business. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3980 Title: Results of the IICD hosted Virtual Conference Author: Jan Willem van Nus Date: 27/10/1999 Abstract: During the Virtual Conference on realising sustainable development by harnessing the power of information and communication technology (ICT) AND applying that power to the building of education and training capacity in developing countries some worthwile statements already came up. Two tracks are being elaborated: secondary schools and vocational training. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3978 Title: The Y2K challenge Author: Jan Willem van Nus Date: 22/10/1999 Abstract: Dealing with the Millennium Bug in Pakistan Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3942 Title: Project models Author: Arjan de Jager Date: 14/10/1999 Abstract: On Monday 18 October IICD will present a project model on Web-based Information Systems. The aim of this is to promote good governance and development in general. A central theme is the integration of communication technologies and information systems. Here you will find assistance in the development of such Web-based Information Systems. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3837 Title: Internet's Global Spread Not Smooth Author: Marguerite Reardon, Data Communications Date: 13/10/1999 Abstract: ITU forum discussion centers on how developing countries' experiences with the Internet Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3932 Title: Gerstner Warns Internet Change Is More Than Networks Author: Margie Semilof, Computer Reseller News Date: 13/10/1999 Abstract: Tells Telecom 99 attendees PC computing is dead, but not PCs Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3930 Title: Connecting the Other Five Billion Author: Karen Lynch, tele.com Date: 13/10/1999 Abstract: New technologies put lofty goal within closer reach Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3929 Title: The Development Impact of Mobile Phones Author: Jan Willem van Nus Date: 13/10/1999 Abstract: Mobiles have become a powerful tool for bringing the poor and isolated into the global economy. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3928 Title: NetAid Concert Raises Consciousness, Funds Author: Kate Gerwig, tele.com Date: 12/10/1999 Abstract: Belefonte and Glover back out, complaining that event promoted Cisco Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3931 Title: Mr. Kofi Annan adresses Telecom 99 Author: Kofi Anan Date: 11/10/1999 Abstract: In his speech for the forum opening session of Telecom 99 Mr. Kofi Annan indicates the possibilities and threats of ICTs for developing countries Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3918 Title: Hasan A. Rizvi, Project Director of SDNP Pakistan, visits IICD Author: Jan Willem van Nus Date: 11/10/1999 Abstract: On the 4th of October 1999 Mr. Rizvi visited IICD. He is the Project Director of the Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) in Pakistan. His approach to ICTs for development is pragmatic and involved at the same time: "I have a vision that the Internet permeates to the community," says Mr. Rizvi. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3906 Title: Broadcasting and the Internet in Developing Countries Author: Bruce Girard Date: 4/10/1999 Abstract: "Converging Responsibility: Broadcasting and the Internet in De- veloping Countries" was a conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4-6 September 1999. The proceedings are out now. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3904 Title: Telecenters Author: Arjan de Jager Date: 3/10/1999 Abstract: To go to the telecenter model and to our online discussion on telecenters click here... Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3924 Title: ICT can be used to eradicate poverty - interview with Mr. Ventura Author: Ben Geerlings Date: 25/10/1999 Abstract: "We are absolutely sure that if we could find the proper ways of introducing technologies at the appropriated points poverty can be eradicated", says Mr. Ventura, special advisor on science and technology to the prime minister of Jamaica. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3957 Title: Converging Responsibility: Broadcasting and the Internet in Developing Countries Author: Bruce Girard Date: 4/10/1999 Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3905 Title: Information and Communication Technologies for Improved Governance Author: Bhavya Lal, M.S. Date: 21/10/1999 Abstract: This paper reviews the issues facing African countries in adopting information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance governance in four areas, reducing poverty, providing basic human needs, improving public administration, and enhancing democratization. It summarizes the use of ICTs in these areas - both successes and failures - around the world and in Africa. The theme in our overview of ICT in governance is that ICTs are neutral and that human choices will determine how ICT will be used and whether the revolution in ICTs will benefit all of Africa. The paper focuses on many of the caveats that should accompany ICT deployment and ends with an action framework for practitioners anxious to get started. Full article: http://www.iicd.org/search/show-entry.ap?entryid=3956 -------------------------------------------------------------------- From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 20:17:58 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA91945; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:44 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA91924 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:37 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-058.super.net.pk [203.130.5.197]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id PAA17607 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:23:36 -0500 Message-Id: <199911042023.PAA17607@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:16:45 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: India to unveil IT policy including cyber laws next month X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk India to unveil IT policy including cyber laws next month Legislation will set framework for e-commerce and governance INDIA is to announce a comprehensive information technology policy, including cyber laws, next month, a senior official said yesterday. "The government will introduce legislation in order to provide a legal framework for electronic commerce and governance in the December session of Parliament," Information Technology Secretary PV Jayakrishnan said at the start of five-day infotech fair in the southern Indian city of Bangalore. "The government will also establish an electronic data interchange network by March 2000 to facilitate processing of bills and entries of deals worked out through the Internet," he added. Analysts say 15 per cent of the country's 3,000 brokers will start trading on Internet once the government frames rules. Initial stock trading on the Internet is likely to be restricted to two of India's biggest bourses, the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. India has 18 smaller regional bourses. Mr Jayakrishnan said the IT policy would provide a legal framework for digital signatures, digital share certification and access authentication. "Transactions through the Internet are estimated to touch US$300 million (S$498 million) by the end of 2002," he said. Experts say 50 per cent of India's software exports will come from the new growth area of electronic commerce. Indian software exports shot up 56 per cent year-on-year to US$2.3 billion in the 12 months to March. The National Association of Software and Service Companies, a 520- member grouping, said Indian software exports would reach US$3.92 billion in the current fiscal year ending March 2000. New Delhi has earmarked information technology and computer software as priority development areas, with ambitions to make India a global software power by early next century. "A corpus of one billion rupees (S$37 million) is earmarked as venture capital for IT start-ups. The government is also establishing offices in the United States to attract investments in India's IT sector," Mr Jayakrishnan said. -- AFP http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/3/nssia/nssia01.html From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 20:17:58 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA91964; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:52 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA91956 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:46 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-058.super.net.pk [203.130.5.197]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id PAA17625 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:23:44 -0500 Message-Id: <199911042023.PAA17625@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:16:45 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Karnataka sets up a ministry for IT X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Karnataka sets up a ministry for IT Our Bangalore Bureau 2 NOVEMBER THE Karnataka state government announced on Monday the creation of an independent department for information technology (IT) on the lines of the one announced by the Union government recently. The department will act as a single-window agency for clearances, incentives and permissions required by the infotech industry. The restructured department will bring together several units such as the Karnataka Government Computer Centre (KGCC), the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Karnataka Remote Sensing Centre (KRSC) and the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (Keonics). Announcing the creation of the new ministry here on Monday, state chief minister S M Krishna said the primary objective is to promote rapid e-governance and establish a communication backbone which will reach up to taluk and panchayat levels. Besides, it will aim to ensure a steady flow of IT investments, create hi-tech centres and prepare an overall comprehensive IT vision for the state for the 21st century. The portal has been set up with the primary objective of providing news and information and enabling people to easily communicate with each other. The site will help both the government and the private sector in business transactions. In phase I, which was launched on Monday, the portal targets IT professionals and subscribers to Internet services. It will allow general public pay their water, electricity and telephone bills online, besides offering value-added services such as e-news, e-mail and e-shopping. Users can access the portal from cyber cafes. In phase II, expected to be commissioned in January 2000, the site will offer full fledged e-shopping and Bangalore yellow pages. During the phase, it will expand the customer base to non-IT users and offer additional utility services such as bus and tickets booking facilities. http://www.economictimes.com/031199/03tech04.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 20:17:58 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA91975; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:56 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA91960 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:49 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-058.super.net.pk [203.130.5.197]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id PAA17628 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:23:50 -0500 Message-Id: <199911042023.PAA17628@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:16:46 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Digital guru harks back to primary school in a lesson on computers and creativity X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Digital guru harks back to primary school in a lesson on computers and creativity IF a surgeon at the end of the nineteenth century, with the help of a time machine, were to step into an operation theatre today, he would not recognise anything around him, except perhaps for the body of the patient lying on the operating table. But if this exercise was to be repeated with a school teacher from the same era, he would perhaps not feel out of place at all. This, said Professor Nicholas Negroponte in Mumbai on Wednesday, indicates that education, paradoxically, is one field where methodology has not improved for a long time due to the indifference of policy-makers. People don't believe that the most precious resources any country can have are children, he said. Or perhaps they do, but for any country's politicians, it does not make sense to invest public money to develop these resources, because investment in children, primarily through their education, will take at least 20 years to pay back, Negroponte added. "A politician has to show he is working. If he uses public money to build a bridge or a tunnel, even if that takes five or eight years to complete, there will trucks all over the place, thre will be a huge hole in the ground, jobs will be created immediately, and he will have something to show immediately to the electorate. If an investment takes 20 years to pay back, by then he will be out of office or dead," said the digital Nostradamus. Hence, primary education, where the shaping of a child's future starts, is one of the most neglected aspects of the social environment worldwide, he said. Primary education, as we know it today, stifles a child's natural urges and creativity and atte-mpts to create an auto-maton. The digital future will provide an opportunity to children to develop natural inclinations, and learn through play," he said. "By interacting with a computer, a child can learn more than by being force-fed lessons in areas that a child may have little or no interest in. This will revolutionise learning," he added. Mr Negroponte also dwelt on a pet topic, information exchange in the future between humans and computers. He started with an example - when you wink at your wife or friend at a dinner, you are transmitting information that would otherwise take a good half an hour to explain. Your wife or friend knows the background and the hint is only an affirmation of what you both know or comprehend or otherwise realise. So when he says computing will get emotional, we know he is referring to microchips becoming responsive to human emotions. "The microchip through an array of input devices will be able to decipher human emotion. We won't add emotions to the computer, instead we'll make them understand our emotions and act on them accordingly." So, your computer would play you a soothing tune when you are depressed or power up the aircon when it senses that you have exerted yourself and are feeling hot and stuffy. "Human emotions stem from the consciousness and also reflect the subconscious, and it's an uphill task to make them understand consciousness." Then of course, intelligent microchips with gigabytes of information would be implanted in our bodies - the crudest example being the humble pacemaker. A 'doctor' chip embedded in the body will supplement the human immune system and activate the creation of enzymes within the body. However, Negroponte regrets that the day is still far off when microchips will be able to directly feed information to the human brain. Of course, vision and hearing devices that would add visionary and auditory inputs to the respective centres of the brain are more possible, the professor hastens to add. And, finally the Nostradamus of the digital world, foresees a future in which we will be able to feed data to the human mind in a digital format - like a stream of bits. "The fundamental elements of the brain are binary, they are like the on and off stages in a memory device and may be one day we will be able to feed data in digital format to the human brain," he said, underlining the argument. This of course would revolutionise the way humans learn. Your mother need not teach you math or grammar. She could merely flick a switch. And, pronto, your neurotransmitters would be reorganised and updated - like Orpheus did in The Matrix. http://www.economictimes.com/today/04tech10.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 20:17:57 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA91958; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:46 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA91929 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:40 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-058.super.net.pk [203.130.5.197]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id PAA17620 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:23:42 -0500 Message-Id: <199911042023.PAA17620@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:16:45 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Andhra Pradesh State WAN is online X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today inaugurated the Andhra Pradesh State Wide Area Network or APSWAN, connecting capital Hyderabad with all the 23 district headquarters. The APSWAN, the first of its kind in the country, will serve as the backbone for all state government intranets. United Telecom and Andhra Pradesh Technology Services Limited jointly commissioned the network at a cost of Rs 55 million within five months. The multimedia network, carrying voice, data and video traffic, forms the core of the Andhra Pradesh government's initiative to promote the use of information and provide information technology infrastructure. APSWAN is to be the most powerful tool in the hands of the government to monitor welfare schemes. It will also provide easy public access to government information. Addressing district collectors over the system, Naidu said by 2020, 950 of the 1,100 mandal headquarters in the state would be connected with the APSWAN network and by March, the collectors would be interconnected with each other. He said a videoconferencing studio would be set up soon. The unique network would ensure efficiency and transparency in the functioning of all departments. http://www.rediff.com/computer/1999/nov/01apswan.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 20:17:58 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA91957; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:46 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA91927 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:39 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-058.super.net.pk [203.130.5.197]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id PAA17615 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:23:40 -0500 Message-Id: <199911042023.PAA17615@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:16:45 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Proposal for 'i-Kerala' on cards X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Proposal for 'i-Kerala' on cards S Sanandakumar KOCHI 3 NOVEMBER A BLUEPRINT for transforming the sleepy villages in Kerala to world class technology service centres will be submitted to the government by Mr Javad K Hassan, the chairman of the Rs 250-crore NeST Group of companies. Speaking to The Economic Times, Mr Javad Hassan said his project for creating an 'intelligent Kerala', was actually submitted to the government three years back. "I have decided to re-submit the proposal to the government," he said. Mr Hassan is also the chairman of the Electronics Development Commission for the government of Kerala. The project is aimed at bringing Internet to the masses, Mr Hassan said. It will provide Internet services through cable in a cost effective manner, he said. The multimedia super-highway that Mr Hassan is planning will provide a network that will provide Internet services through cable to households with television. "We can supply the technology for receiving and storing data in television," he said. Explaining that this will be the first step towards the creation of 'intelligent Kerala' he said small groups of youngsters with software development capability can make use of the facility in every village. "This will lead to the development of e- commerce, technology and software services and related services," he said. Mr Hassan has 20 years service in IBM and held such important positions like corporate director for worldwide engineering and technology and head of IBM's tape drive division and semiconductor development. He was also the president of the communications group in AMP Inc. He said though the government has not acted on his original proposal, he is re-submitting it since the use of high technology for rural development is his pet theme. A fibre optic backbone for the state can achieve this development by making the multimedia technology available to the rural households, he said. Interestingly, the proposal assumes significance in the light of the reported plans of World Tel of Mr Sam Pitroda to set up similar Internet kiosks and information superhighways in six states including Kerala. The total cost of the project is around Rs 300 crore, according to reports. The Kerala government has also drawn up a plan for interlinking the local bodies to facilitate data sharing and another project for inter-departmental networking. The latter is hoped to be achieved in a period of one year. http://www.economictimes.com/today/04tech04.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Thu Nov 4 20:17:57 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA91943; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:44 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA91925 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:16:37 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-058.super.net.pk [203.130.5.197]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id PAA17611 for ; Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:23:38 -0500 Message-Id: <199911042023.PAA17611@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 15:16:45 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [Pakistan] Paknet launches new internet service X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [according to ads in newspapers today, the rates are as low as Rs 12 per hour. Paknet's URL is www.paknet.com.pk] Paknet launches new internet service RECORDER REPORT KARACHI (November 2) : Paknet, the data communication wing of PTCL has launched a new internet service with a large infrastructure of 1500 dial-up lines in Karachi and international bandwidth of 10 MB to the internet backbone. According to PTCL sources, the Paknet national network inter-city trunks are working on 4 MB optical fibre channels that means high reliability. With this infrastructure and a new set-up of customers service centres, Paknet promises fastest internet in the country. http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0010/S1002/S1002102.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Sat Nov 6 06:02:44 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA122704; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 05:58:30 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA122697 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 05:58:21 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-075.super.net.pk [203.130.5.214]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA20535 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 00:05:42 -0500 Message-Id: <199911060505.AAA20535@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 23:59:08 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: AN INTERNET STRATEGY FOR FIGHTING WORLD POVERTY X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from NewsScan Daily, 4 November 1999] AN INTERNET STRATEGY FOR FIGHTING WORLD POVERTY Allen Hammond of the World Resources Institute makes the point that "one education Web site translated into Hindi, Mandarin, Swahili and Spanish would have a potential user base of two billion people. It can help even the poorest people invent their way out of poverty." Taking up that theme, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman calls attention to www.PlaNetfinance.org, the brainchild of French banker Jacques Attali, who wants to use the Internet as a way of making "micro-loans" to poor people. "Micro-loans range from $10 to $1,000. They go mostly to women and are given without any collateral. Micro- loan recipients use them to buy everything from sewing machines to a cell phone the whole village can use, to beauty supplies to start a salon in a Bangledesh slum. These people have the will to better themselves, they just don't have the basic cash, and that's what micro-loans provide." PlaNet Finance hopes to rate and link all the micro-banks, to make them more efficient and more effective. Friedman says, "If the processing and transaction costs of these micro-loans can be reduced, they can be bundled together and sold on a commercial basis to the Citibanks of the world... That's how you change the world -- get the big market players to do the right thing for the wrong reasons." (New York Times 3 Nov 99) http://www.nytimes.com/library/opinion/friedman/110399frie.html From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Sat Nov 6 06:02:44 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id GAA122863; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 06:00:11 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA122805 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 05:59:51 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-075.super.net.pk [203.130.5.214]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA20588; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 00:07:12 -0500 Message-Id: <199911060507.AAA20588@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 23:59:07 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Shonkh Tech rolls out indigenous medical system CC: pphf-digest@maillists.com X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Shonkh Tech rolls out indigenous medical system K C Krishnadas BANGALORE 3 NOVEMBER THE Bangalore-based Shonkh Technologies on Wednesday announced that it had readied a medical report generator (MRG) system and applied for a design patent for it. It said the technology applied in designing the system, called the Endokit-MRG, is different from the conventional process. The conventional process scans the data using endoscope probes and store the images on video tapes using a video cassette recorder but in this method, retrieving the tapes, visual quality and cost of storing are of concern. Shonkh's system can scan and store images generated by optical fibres during endoscopy on a hard disk or floppy which doctors can retrieve instantly, zoom on to specific parts and generate print outs on normal paper, said Mr B R Badrinath, head of research and development, Shonkh Technolo -gies Ltd. The Endokit-MRG systems are available in a price range of Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 6 lakh depending on the kind of printer used. This has been completely developed in- house. Mr Binay Kumar, director-corporate planning and development, Shonkh Technologies Ltd, said, the Indian market for such systems, currently, was worth Rs 135 crore and that it is growing annually at around 15 per cent. Besides the Indian market, Shonkh is also considering selling it overseas. The company said much reduced cost per image would bring down endoscopy image costs for patients. "We are also negotiating with the health ministries in countries in West Asia and the erstwhile USSR. They have evinced interest in transfer of technology to set up manufacturing in their countries while we can provide the technical support. One such deal is in the final stages," said Mr Ravi Krishnamoorthy, director, marketing, Shonkh Technologies Ltd. Shonkh already has orders from hospitals such as Mallya and Manipal for the Endokit-MRG. Dr S Rama Rao, consultant gastroenterologist, Mallya Hospital said the quality of images is extremely good and storage is an added advantage. Manipal Hospital's consultant gastroenterologist, Dr K N K Shetty said the performance and print quality were good and that the reports generated were useful. This is the second product from Shonkh's stable, the first being kiosks that can be connected to the Internet or to a server, allowing users access to an information store. Shonkh has sold 50 of these and expects volumes to pick up soon. The start-up, founded by a group of technocrats, had revenues under Rs 100 crore this fiscal and is into information technology-based products and services, including software development. http://www.economictimes.com/today/04tech02.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Sat Nov 6 21:31:52 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id VAA130401; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:30:40 +1000 (EST) Received: from nx5.HRZ.Uni-Dortmund.DE (nx5.HRZ.Uni-Dortmund.DE [129.217.131.21]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA130397 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:30:37 +1000 (EST) Received: from amadeus.statistik.uni-dortmund.de by nx5.HRZ.Uni-Dortmund.DE via smtp-local with ESMTP; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 12:30:21 +0100 Received: from localhost (tripathi@localhost) by amadeus.statistik.uni-dortmund.de (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id MAA23022 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 12:31:29 +0100 (MET) Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 12:31:29 +0100 (MET) From: Arun-Kumar Tripathi To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Subject: Improving Internet services in developing nations Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Dear S-Asia-It Community, Courtesy: The WebWorld, the website of UNESCO's Communication, Information and Informatics Sector at: http://www.unesco.org/webworld/ .... Improving Internet services in developing countries:-- UNDP's Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) and Orientation.com, a fast-growing network of local portals for emerging markets, have announced an alliance to improve internet services for community businesses in developing nations. Under the partnership arrangement, Orientation.com, which provides customized multilingual content to 20 country-specific portal sites in six regions, will showcase local development issues in a dedicated area of each site. It will also offer technical and marketing communications programme support to local partners. http://www.unesco.org/webworld/news/991106_undp.shtml ----------------- Kindest Regards Arun Tripathi From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Sun Nov 7 05:28:45 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA88145; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 05:27:41 +1000 (EST) Received: from svc00.apnic.net (svc00.apnic.net [202.12.28.131]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA88140 for ; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 05:27:37 +1000 (EST) Received: from nx5.HRZ.Uni-Dortmund.DE (nx5.HRZ.Uni-Dortmund.DE [129.217.131.21]) by svc00.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.1) with ESMTP id TAA22211 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 19:12:32 GMT Received: from amadeus.statistik.uni-dortmund.de by nx5.HRZ.Uni-Dortmund.DE via smtp-local with ESMTP; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 20:12:19 +0100 Received: from localhost (tripathi@localhost) by amadeus.statistik.uni-dortmund.de (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA26418 for ; Sat, 6 Nov 1999 20:13:27 +0100 (MET) Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 20:13:27 +0100 (MET) From: Arun-Kumar Tripathi To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Subject: Call for papers: Global IT Management, Memphis, USA, June 11-13 2000 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Greetings S-Asia-It Lists, Forwarded by me on behalf of Dr. Katherine Morrow and via Bellanet Information Dissemination List. Information Technology in Developing Countries track of the First Annual Global Information Technology Management (GITM) World Conference, June 11-13, 2000 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Submission deadline: November 15, 1999 Note: Further information on this and other tracks of the conference, and complete instructions and contact information for those who wish to respond to this call for papers, are available on the conference's web site. http://www.people.memphis.edu/~globalit/index.htm Conference chair: Dr. Prashant Palvia, ppalvia@memphis.edu RECOMMENDED TOPICS * Spreading telecommunications to rural and remote communities * Supporting rural economies * Health care delivery in rural and remote areas * Distance education for rural learning * Supporting rural commerce electronically * Electronic governance for rural communities * Policy making processes for IT in the developing world * IT to support policy decision-making * Measuring the social value of IT * Societal implications of IT implementation * Issues in teaching computing in developing countries * Computer literacy for development * Distance learning and remote education * Organisational capacity building * Cross-cultural analyses * Cultural dimensions of IT implementations * Cultural adaptation to IT * Cultural barriers to IT diffusion Papers recommended as high quality by the reviewers will be considered for publication on an expedited basis in the Journal of Global Information Technology Management (JGITM) and the Journal of Information Technology Cases & Applications (JITCA). ----------------------------- Sincerely Arun Tripathi From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Sun Nov 7 17:29:30 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id RAA91605; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 17:26:06 +1000 (EST) Received: from fh105.infi.net (fh105.infi.net [209.97.16.35]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id RAA91585 for ; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 17:25:58 +1000 (EST) Received: from akron.infi.net (AKRNB103-13.splitrock.net [209.156.82.59]) by fh105.infi.net (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id CAA11782; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 02:23:13 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <382528C7.A9C38FC0@akron.infi.net> Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 02:22:48 -0500 From: Bob Pye Jr X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 [en] (Win95; U) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: BCS-Devel CC: Devel -L Subject: Join the Global Knowledge for Development Internet List Discussion Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Fyi, Bob Pyke Jr List members may be interested in this global forum, which examines the role of knowledge and information in international development. It leads up to the GKII Conference, sponsored by World Bank, UN, etc. JOIN THE GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE FOR DEVELOPMENT INTERNET LIST DISCUSSION PURPOSE OF THIS LIST The Global Knowledge for Development List (GKD) was established to facilitate broad discussion of the role and impacts of knowledge, including information/communications technologies (ICTs), for development. With 1,500+ members from about 100 countries, GKD offers a major forum for the exchange of ideas. UNDP, the World Bank, and UNESCO, which support GKD, encourage those from around the world, especially those in the South, to use the List to express their own needs, experiences, and suggestions related to ICT and development. The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) -- an informal partnership that includes the World Bank, UNDP and an array of other public, private and not-for-profit organizations -- has asked GKD to help identify innovative cases of "knowledge for development," which could be presented at the second Global Knowledge Conference (GKII, 7-10 March 2000), in Kuala Lumpur. The Conference, "Building Knowledge Societies," will focus on three themes: * Access * Empowerment * Governance GKD is examining these themes along with other related issues to identify: * Policies, strategies, tools, and partnerships to improve access to and use of information resources by the poor in rural and urban areas alike * Case studies, best practices, and other examples of activities that have expanded access to information and knowledge throughout developing countries * Success stories of efforts, including public-private partnerships, to build "knowledge for development" capacity in developing countries * Research findings related to information/communications technologies (ICTs) and development HOW TO JOIN THE GKD LIST Anyone who has electronic mail with Internet access can subscribe to the GKD List. To join please send an e-mail to: MAJORDOMO@MAIL.EDC.ORG Do *not* enter a subject. In the body of the message, type the text: SUBSCRIBE GKD Do *not* put anything after GKD. You will receive a Welcome Letter to the List. WORLD WIDE WEB SITE FOR GKP A Global Knowledge Partnership WWW site provides archives of GKD messages. LIST MODERATOR This List is moderated by Education Development Center, a nonprofit organization. EDC is working collaboratively with the UN/World Bank system and is directly supported by the World Bank for the activities in this project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION For further information about GKD, please contact: Janice Brodman EDC jbrodman@edc.org From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Mon Nov 8 02:46:18 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id CAA82988; Mon, 8 Nov 1999 02:45:23 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id CAA82978 for ; Mon, 8 Nov 1999 02:45:16 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-116.super.net.pk [203.130.5.116]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id UAA31157 for ; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 20:57:20 -0500 Message-Id: <199911080157.UAA31157@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 20:49:20 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Karnataka's Corps of Detectives has raised a cyber crime squad X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Karnataka's Corps of Detectives has raised a cyber crime squad M D Riti in Bangalore If someone were to steal your Internet time, could you ask your local police to catch the thief? If you live in Bangalore, you could. The Rajajinagar police station in the city has registered its first case of Internet time theft... And the Karnataka Corps of Detectives, the state version of the Central Bureau of Investigation, has just launched its own cyber crime squad. The squad will deal with problems like hacking, phreaking or phone hacking, time theft and the use of Internet for militancy activities. Director General of Police V V Bhasker heads the Corps of Detectives in Karnataka: "We thought it's only right that the country's first cyber crime squad should be set up in Bangalore, which is widely acknowledged as India's cyber capital." He believes that "The amount of money that can be stolen through cyber crime is much larger than that can be stolen by all the conventional crimes like dacoity, mugging and housebreaking put together. We estimate that it could become 10 times the Rs 25-30 crore (Rs 250-300 million) lost through conventional crimes now. It might not be rampant yet, but it's better that we get into the act now and get ready to fight it as it begins." Karnataka's new computer enthusiast Chief Minister S M Krishna launched the squad. As of now, it comprises just two police officers: DIG Kishore Chandra who will head it and SP Balaraman of the Computer and Technical Services. They hope to induct another four or five personnel over the next few months from within the force. These officers will be handpicked for their aptitude and will then be trained extensively in India and abroad to tackle crime that involves computers and electronic networks. The squad lists several specific computer crimes that it proposes to include in its ambit: * Hacking, * Fraud through programme manipulation, * Tampering with cash dispensers, * Computer forgery and altering bank transactions, * Use of Internet for militancy or destructive activities, * Pornography, * Email abuse, * Gambling and betting, * Spoofing and masquerading, * Phreaking, * Interception, * Time theft, * Unauthorised access, * Alteration of data through introduction of viruses, * Logic bombs, * Computer sabotage and vandalism of hardware, software and PC accessories, * Theft of trade secrets, * Use of online bulletin boards for material relating to criminal offences, * Use of computer systems or networks to store, exchange, distribute or transact indictable material and, of course, * Offences related to e-commerce. Already, the two-man squad is feeling the heat. Barely two days after they set up shop, the chief minister enquired about he status of the team! Balaraman told Rediff: "We are delighted by his interest because it will give the police force the necessary motivational push to get it operational quickly." The unspoken, of course, is about the bottom line. Sanction of money might come quickly and this could be used to buy whatever equipment needed, or pay for training overseas. Bhasker says: "We are already in the process of identifying the right officers, even in the ranks of sub-inspectors or inspectors. We are willing to sponsor them to complete postgraduate courses like MCA, and then propose to send them abroad to get trained with organisations like the FBI, Interpol and leading forensic laboratories in the detection and prevention of computer crimes." The police endeavour to equip themselves to deal with cyber crime does not stop with the formation of this small squad. The real thrust of the effort will be to educate station staff, right from constables upwards, in the basics of computer crime, as it is the neighbourhood police station that will have to actually register a complaint of computer crime. Chandra says: "Of course, victims are welcome to directly approach us, and we will complete the procedural formality of getting their complaint registered at a station. But we want computer users to be able to avail of help at a very local level." It is natural that this squad should come under the purview of the COD, as it is this 25-year-old organisation that deals with white- collar crime in the state and also anything that might not be strictly localised. The COD also organised an all-India conference on the police's role in solving computer crimes in July this year to which they invited police officers from all over Karnataka. India has extremely strict laws for the protection of intellectual property rights, but these laws tend to remain on paper. Software piracy is rampant despite the reduction in software import duties for application software and absence of excise duties on local software. A NASSCOM study attributes the losses to the rapid growth in the size of the domestic market, but claims that the percentage of software piracy in the country has come down marginally. The software industry annually loses billions of dollars worth of business globally to piracy. End users of pirated software run the risk of incomplete documentation, non-existing after-sales support, missing upgrades and updates, and of course, the threat of a computer virus. But they still find it worthwhile to use pirated software. A similar effort to train police personnel in computer crime solving, but on a very much smaller scale, driven purely by the enterprise and initiative of one individual, was made in Karnataka last year. This particular effort was entirely the brainchild of Bhasker Rao, superintendent of Kodagu district, which houses the police-training academy. Rao introduced a dimension of cyber crime detection training into a programme to teach constables to handle PCs for use in police stations. When Rediff asked him whether constables had the knowledge or skills to make good use of such training, an indignant Rao had said: "My boys have all either passed pre-university or are graduates. They are very receptive and ready to absorb knowledge. If they eventually turn out poorly trained, the fault lies with the trainers not the students. Discipline has become a one-way flow, from officers to lower personnel, and the human resource potential of the ranks is never tapped." Sadly, none of Rao's boys' special skills seem to have been put to use in Karnataka. "We need more than the efforts of motivated individuals if we want to really tackle the growing problem of cyber crime," says Bhaskar. "That is why we decided to bring all such efforts under one common roof and section." Interestingly, the police define cyber crime as "the use of the computer dishonestly for personal gain or wrongful loss to others. When noticed, such cases will have to be registered by the police, investigated and detected for its logical conclusion by bringing the criminal to book". The cyber squad, however, much training it might be given, could never still hope to keep pace with technology as it develops. The police are aware of this, and so have wisely decided to form an expert group that can advise them properly on every case. Several of the city's leading infotech companies, like Infosys, TCS, Wipro and Microland, as well as academicians from the Indian Institute of Science, will form this group. Interestingly, the police have already promised a fee of up to Rs 50,000 per case to this expert group. "But police officers will still form the core of the actual squad, as they are well versed in evidence collection, preservation and presentation in court," points out Chandra. He says: "A strong police orientation is a must in such areas. We would also have involved lawyers, but legislation is not yet clear or specific in the area of cyber crime. We are waiting for the new cyber laws to be passed and would be happy to help drive the direction of these laws as well. For example, digital evidence is not acceptable anywhere now and this is an issue that we must reconsider." The squad also hopes to develop a network with international crime fighting organisations like the FBI and Interpol, as cyber crime has no geographical boundaries. "The Interpol headquarters at Leons in France, for example, has a novel method of collecting information on computer crime, and it has circulated this information to the whole country," says Balaraman. He says: "We would like to interact with such organisations, and upgrade our methods of detection." But if the police hope to be one up on cyber criminal, they must also have the latest hardware. How can a department that is always complaining about the lack of funds to buy equipment hope to achieve this? Will they consider accepting hardware or software gifts from the IT industry? "This is a sensitive issue and it is difficult to make a blanket declaration on it," says Chandra ruefully. "The police in other places like New York does have sponsorship to a great extent already and we too in Karnataka now use patrol vehicles given to us by companies," he points out. http://www.rediff.com/computer/1999/nov/05cops.htm From owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Mon Nov 8 02:46:21 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id CAA82974; Mon, 8 Nov 1999 02:45:15 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id CAA82959 for ; Mon, 8 Nov 1999 02:45:09 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-116.super.net.pk [203.130.5.116]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id UAA31107 for ; Sun, 7 Nov 1999 20:55:47 -0500 Message-Id: <199911080155.UAA31107@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 20:49:20 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Cabinet clears cyber laws Bill X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@ns.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Cabinet clears cyber laws Bill By Rachna Burman The Times of India News Service NEW DELHI: Exactly a year after it was first readied, the Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared the Information Technology Bill to tackle a slew of issues relating to electronic commerce, trade, business dealings and computer crime. The Bill is slated for introduction in the winter session of Parliament, information technology secretary P V Jayakrishnan told The Times of India. "This is a very major step towards e-commerce," he said, adding that no more than 10 countries in the world have laws of this nature. As per estimates, by the turn of the century, e- commerce transactions in the world are likely to exceed 20 per cent of the total. The Bill, which the earlier Vajpayee government had nearly pushed through via an ordinance, proposes to primarily create a secure regulatory environment for e-commerce by providing legal validity to Internet and other electronic transactions, including computer data as permissible evidence in court. Most regulations allow only paper records and documents, signed records, original records, physical cash, cheques, etc. The Bill proposes legal sanction to electronic records, as well as acceptance of contract by an electronic means of communication, including digital signatures. Government departments will accept the filing/creation/retention of documents in the form of electronic records; issue permits, licences or approvals in electronic form; and also issue payments in this form. It will be up to the government agency to decide the manner in which electronic records are filed, created, retained or issued. The Bill also allows facilitation of electronic interaction in trade and commerce, elimination of barriers to e-commerce arising from uncertainties over writing and signature requirements and promotion of the development of legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement e-commerce. The Bill provides for appointment of certification authorities for licensing, certifying and monitoring as well as the appointment of a controller to oversee/regulate these certifying authorities. It also proposes to establish a Cyber Regulations Appellate Tribunal with the same powers as allocated to the Appellate Tribunal of the Securities and Exchange Board of India. The Cabinet also cleared detailed definition and penalties for computer crime. This will include among others, unauthorised access to computer networks, computer databases, computer viruses, damage to computer systems, disruption of computer services, copying of software and offences such as tampering with computer source documents, electronic forgery. To avoid situations which endanger the country's security, the Bill proposes to empower specified government officials to disrupt any message transmitted in electronic/encypted form. There will be a series of consequential activities including amendments in existing acts like the Indian Evidence Act 1872, the Indian Penal Code 1860, amendments to section 2 of the Banker's Book Evidence Act and amendment of the RBI Act, 1934. http://www.timesofindia.com/today/05home2.htm From owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Tue Nov 9 21:31:32 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by alpha.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id VAA93697; Tue, 9 Nov 1999 21:28:17 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA93690 for ; Tue, 9 Nov 1999 21:28:11 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-128.super.net.pk [203.130.5.128]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id QAA11526 for ; Tue, 9 Nov 1999 16:26:47 -0500 Message-Id: <199911092126.QAA11526@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 16:18:39 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [Pakistan] PIA fleet tested for Y2K compliance successfully X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Precedence: bulk PIA fleet tested for Y2K compliance successfully KARACHI (November 9) : Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided in principle to operate its scheduled flights on December 31, 1999 and January 1, 2000. The airline has successfully tested its fleet for Y2K compliance, it informed the Defence Ministry and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to PIA, the communications, navigation, flight management, aeronautical information, transponder and other systems for automated data exchange, weather information systems and all other mission critical systems of the airline have been assessed and found Y2K compliant. The year 2000 compliance of PIA has also been confirmed by the Boeing Company, Airbus and the airline's third party vendors, PIA sources said.--APP http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0011/S1103/S1103102.htm From owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Tue Nov 9 21:31:34 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by alpha.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id VAA93707; Tue, 9 Nov 1999 21:28:26 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA93699 for ; Tue, 9 Nov 1999 21:28:18 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-128.super.net.pk [203.130.5.128]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id QAA11466 for ; Tue, 9 Nov 1999 16:25:05 -0500 Message-Id: <199911092125.QAA11466@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 16:18:39 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] First computer museum to come up in Bangalore soon X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Precedence: bulk First computer museum to come up in Bangalore soon Bangalore 8 NOVEMBER INDIA may soon have its first computarium, a museum designed to initiate children into the wonders of the information technology (IT) era through interactive gadgetry and virtual reality experiences. Work on the Rs 4-crore computarium is expected to begin in January next year with sponsorship from the biggest names in the IT business. The project, which is being undertaken by a trust consisting of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the department of science and technology, Indian telecom industry and the chief secretary of Karnataka, has already been allotted five acres of land. Organisers are confident that going by the response to the just concluded IT expo, Bangalore IT.Com, sponsorship for the project will pose no problem."The response from school children as well as IT companies at IT.Com has been so marvellous that the computarium would become a reality soon," Sugandha S Raj, programme director for the project, said. The concept is to provide "fun" while giving exposure to information technology, creating a computer-generated atmosphere to make learning mathematics or physics or even alternate learning like yoga, fun for children. The computarium, says Mr Raj, would customise its operations for local children who do not have exposure to the English language or computers. The computarium would not only have films showing the growth of information technology but also the cockpit, submarine or aircraft simulators and hi-tech gadgets like the eye tracker for the mentally challenged and elbow, knee and shoulder mouse systems for the physically challenged. About 200 IT companies have agreed to contribute to the computarium. "Our request to them is to share their experiences with us. If you are a chip manufacturer, give us a film on the how and when of it. We are not seeking money. We want inputs," Mr Raj says. - IANS http://www.economictimes.com/today/09tech06.htm From owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Wed Nov 10 15:26:22 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by alpha.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id PAA87534; Wed, 10 Nov 1999 15:24:59 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id PAA87508 for ; Wed, 10 Nov 1999 15:24:52 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-060.super.net.pk [203.130.5.199]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id KAA08226 for ; Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:31:48 -0500 Message-Id: <199911101531.KAA08226@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:25:21 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: (Fwd) Indianising Linux X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the India-GII mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Send reply to: "Venkatesh Hariharan" From: "Venkatesh Hariharan" Date sent: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 14:09:41 +0530 First of all, apologies for the cross post. The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore and FreeOS.Com are looking for 'champions' who can take up the cause of localising Linux in Indian languages. The goal of this Indianisation project is to ensure that the benefits of Information Technology percolate down to the Indian masses. We want to make technology accessible to the "other 90 percent" of India that does not speak English. The task involves localising the user-interface and help text of Linux and related applications and we expect this to take around 2 years in collaboration with several other volunteers, over the Internet. Each champion (can be an individual or a group) will have to take ownership of the localisation responsibility for one particular language. Those interested, please get in touch with me at venky@venky.org and mark a cc: to Prakash Advani at prakash@freeos.com. My telephone numbers are 080-8410627 x 115. Regards, Venky Venkatesh Hariharan Faculty Member, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore Information for Development Centre iiit-b Enterprise Forum http://www.iiit-b.org Personal Web Site: http://www.venky.org Personal e-mail: venky@venky.org --------------------------------------------------------------------- From owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Thu Nov 11 06:23:23 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by alpha.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id GAA79548; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 06:20:54 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id GAA79541 for ; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 06:20:48 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-037.super.net.pk [203.130.5.176]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id BAA18811 for ; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 01:27:40 -0500 Message-Id: <199911110627.BAA18811@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 01:21:19 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Surveys predict e-commerce boost in India X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Surveys predict e-commerce boost in India [November 10, 1999] The Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) broadly estimated that by 2001, e-commerce in India would range between Rs 29,200 crores ($6790 million) and Rs 66,800 crores ($15,534 million). Meanwhile another study conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) said e-commerce transactions in India are expected to rise from a mere Rs68 cores ($16 million) in 1998-99 to Rs 2538 crores ($590 million) volume-wise by next year. But, according to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), in the current fiscal year (1999-2000), the volume of e-commerce transactions is expected to touch $110 million. Once the IT Bill '99 becomes a law, it anticipates 500 per cent increase in e-commerce transactions in the country. According to IMRB India's personal computer penetration is only 3.5 millions (as per official records). But India is (in) famous for gray market. Internet connections currently stands at only 800,000 but are expected to rise sharply. Nasscom says the number of Internet connections in India is estimated to reach 1.5 million by 2000. "If private Internet gateways come up as expected, the figure could cross 2.5 millions by the end of 2000" says a spokesman from Nasscom. While Web Entrepreneurs are eyeing niche markets and future growth, expatriate Indians are also a key audience. An estimated 200 million Indians or people of Indian origin live abroad. According to the IDC study, the Internet penetration among PC owners in the small office small business (SOSB) segment was 19 per cent, and about 33 per cent intend to get an internet connection in the next 12 months, and the key applications include e-mail, web browsing and file transfer. In yet another interesting development, the annual survey conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) revealed that Asian CEOs are getting increasingly Net-savvy day by day. And that day is not too far when the e-business scene in Asia will be quite similar to the US or Europe. 35 per cent of the Asian CEOs had logged on more than 10 times in the four weeks preceding the survey. This, says the report, was an impressive increase from last year's 20 per cent. The number of Asian CEOs, who never had first hand Internet experience, dropped by a half to 17 per cent said PwC. http://asia.internet.com/cyberatlas/1110-india.html From owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Thu Nov 11 06:23:23 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by alpha.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id GAA79562; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 06:21:04 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id GAA79556 for ; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 06:20:58 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-037.super.net.pk [203.130.5.176]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id BAA18835 for ; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 01:27:57 -0500 Message-Id: <199911110627.BAA18835@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 01:21:19 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Indian PC firms want duty-free imports X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Indian PC firms want duty-free imports Govt plan to cut duty on components is key to end of grey market, they say INDIA'S computer manufacturing industry has urged the government to implement a national IT task force's proposal to kill the grey market in computers and fuel a domestic boom. The Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT) is pushing for duty-free import of components, as mooted by the task force. "The hardware industry has always received step-motherly treatment. The new IT action plan will right some of the wrongs of the past," said MAIT director Vinnie Mehta. "Zero-duty import of computer parts and components will instantaneously snuff out the grey market." Under the current set of policies, components such as micro- processors and hard disk drives attract import duties ranging from 5.5 per cent to 20 per cent. "The landed cost of a micro-processor is 4,173 rupees (S$158) because of a series of import and additional duties," said V K Kapur, director of computer-maker Microtek International. "This makes it hard for us to compete with cut-throat rates prevailing in the grey market." The grey market has a 50 per cent stranglehold on the domestic market for finished computers, motherboards and memory cards. As a result, MAIT estimates the government loses annual revenues to the tune of US$60 million (S$100 million). "PC volumes will explode if the IT action plan recommendations are implemented in totality," said Mr Mehta. According to a study conducted by MAIT, the new policy initiatives will spur personal computer penetration from just three for every 1,000 people to 30 per 1,000 by 2005. While the PC market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 50 per cent against today's 20 per cent, the installed base would jump from three million computers to 30 million by 2005, MAIT said. "This exponential growth would result in economies of scale and motivate the industry to slash prices by 20 to 25 per cent, thereby creating more demand and a multiplier effect," said Mr Mehta. Mr Kapur said the new government initiatives would also make foreign investors less "India-shy". MAIT said total foreign investment in IT manufacturing since India launched sweeping free-market reforms in 1991 had been a paltry US$3 million, because of the high duty structures. Giants such as IBM, Samsung Electronics, Acer and LG Electronics have responded positively to the new policy recommendations. "We have expressed our desire to set up a manufacturing base in India," said an LG official. India's software exports surged 56 per cent year on year to US$2.3 billion in the year to March, but hardware exports have levelled off at US$1 billion. But MAIT says hardware exports could hit US$5 billion by 2005 if the government created the right policy environment. -- AFP http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/3/nssia/nssia01.html From owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Fri Nov 12 00:15:02 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by alpha.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id AAA84228; Fri, 12 Nov 1999 00:11:21 +1000 (EST) Received: from ms1.thehindu.co.in ([206.103.12.100]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with SMTP id AAA84219 for ; Fri, 12 Nov 1999 00:11:10 +1000 (EST) Received: from tvm.thehindu.co.in [192.168.20.61] by ms1.thehindu.co.in [10.61.181.2] with SMTP (MDaemon.v2.7.SP5.R) for ; Thu, 11 Nov 1999 19:50:02 +0530 Received: from TVM/SpoolDir by tvm.thehindu.co.in (Mercury 1.44); 11 Nov 99 19:42:21 +0530 Received: from SpoolDir by TVM (Mercury 1.44); 11 Nov 99 19:41:46 +0530 From: "ROY MATHEW" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 19:41:42 +0530 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Internet X-mailer: Pegasus Mail v3.40 Message-ID: <1E9D5DC1262@tvm.thehindu.co.in> X-MDaemon-Deliver-To: s-asia-it@apnic.net X-Return-Path: ROY@thehindu.co.in Sender: owner-s-asia-it@alpha.apnic.net Precedence: bulk The Department of Telecommunications has virtually integrated the telephone and Internet services in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. A customer can now dial from any telephone and get connected to the Internet without User ID or password. No separate account, registration or initial lumpsum payment or renewal is required. Calls will just be metered one unit for every 90 seconds like a regular telephone call. Roy Mathew http://roymathew.cjb.net From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Mon Nov 15 04:22:07 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id EAA69828; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 04:19:23 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id EAA69727 for ; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 04:18:02 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-122.super.net.pk [203.130.5.122]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA28417 for ; Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:24:39 -0500 Message-Id: <199911150424.XAA28417@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:17:32 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Indian Gov't Plans E-Commerce Tax X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Indian Gov't Plans E-Commerce Tax By Uday Lal Pai India Correspondent, asia.internet.com [November 12, 1999--MUMBAI] Even before the cyber bill became a law, the government of India is examining the possibility of taxing E- commerce in an attempt to widen the tax base. The information was revealed to asia.internet.com by highly placed sources in Finance Ministry. The government is also planning to set up a top-level technical committee to give its recommendations on the scope of e-commerce taxation and the possible methods. The committee will have top IT brains besides senior officials from the revenue department. "The government is working out modalities of e-commerce taxation. The final modalities will be in place only after the passage of the IT Bill '99 in the winter session of Parliament." said a source in the Central Board of Excise and Customs. The move is part of government attempts to widen the tax base to over 20 million by the turn of the century. This move expected to increase the number of tax base by 3-4 per cent, if full efficiency in tax collection mechanism was ensured, felt the official. In fact, the e-c taxation has puzzled the governments throughout the globe and no comprehensive method has been developed to tax the business through the Net. Estimates suggest that, anticipated sales of tangibles on the net is expected to cross $ 5 billion by the turn of the century and revenue from the services and advertising will cross $10 billion by that time. The sources in the finance ministry said that with IT Bill becoming the law, business through e-commerce is expected to grow manifold in India. They pointed out that it has now become a necessity to decide very son what approach the country should take to tax e-commerce. "We will have to choose an effective method quickly," they said. The officials felt that o ensure that there was no leakage of tax, there would have to be some changes in law to ensure that the Income Tax officials had access to the memory and database of the operator. However, any comprehensive method of e-c taxation would require modifications in double taxation agreements with other countries. "The server used for e-commerce transactions may be located anywhere and it is impossible to locate the customer or seller making the existing taxation laws inapplicable. The problem becomes more complex when there are multiple servers. This creates immense scope for tax evasion" pointed out the official. It seems India has identified money in e-c. India is expected to be one of the major revenue losers under e-commerce as it is likely to become a big market for goods offered by the developed countries. http://asia.internet.com/1999/11/1204-india.html From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Mon Nov 15 04:22:46 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id EAA69952; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 04:22:45 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id EAA69824 for ; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 04:19:22 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-122.super.net.pk [203.130.5.122]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA28428 for ; Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:24:50 -0500 Message-Id: <199911150424.XAA28428@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 23:17:32 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Subject: Report on Telecentre Evaluation from IDRC (fwd) X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-MIME-Autoconverted: from Quoted-printable to 8bit by whois.apnic.net id EAA69948 Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the Bellanet-l mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- From: "Katherine Morrow" Date sent: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 16:33:52 -0500 TELECENTRE EVALUATION - A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Report of an International Meeting on Telecentre Evaluation Editors: Ricardo Gómez & Patrik Hunt, IDRC FAR HILLS INN, QUÉBEC, CANADA SEPTEMBER 28-30, 1999 The full report (312 pages) is now available in PDF format from the IDRC Telecentre Research web page at http://www.idrc.ca/pan/telecentres.html . An HTML version will be made available at a later date. CONTENTS PREFACE 5 REPORT ON THE MEETING 7 Guiding Principles of Telecentre Evaluation 7 Key issues and concerns . Synthesis and Direction 9 Telecentre Evaluation and Research: a global perspective (R. GÓMEZ, P. HUNT, E. LAMOUREUX) 15 PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS 31 Knowledge System for Sustainable Food Security (V. BALAJI) 32 Experiments in community access to new communication and information technologies in Bogota (Luis F. BARON) 37 Socialise the modem of production - The role of telecentres in development (Peter BENJAMIN & Mona DAHMS) 51 The Universal Access Model - Cabinas Publicas in Peru (Yuri HERRERA BURSTEIN) 71 Computer and Communications Use in Low-Income Communities (Steve CISLER, et al.) 79 LearnLink, Assessment and Evaluation (Eduardo CONTRERAS-BUDGE) 93 For the Educated People only ... Reflections on a Visit to two Multipurpose Community Telecentres in Uganda (Mona DAHMS) 97 Establishing a Public Internet Centre in Rural Areas of Mongolia (Narangerel DANDAR) 107 Learning Lessons from Telecentres in Latin America and the Caribbean (Karin DELGADILLO, Raúl BORJA) 111 Education for All in the Information Age (Laurel ELMER) 123 Evaluating Telecentres within National Policies for ICTs in Developing Countries (Roger W. HARRIS) 133 Gender analysis of telecentre evaluation methodology (Rebecca HOLMES) 141 Designing Research for Telecentre Evaluation (Heather E. HUDSON) 153 Telecentre Evaluation: A Tele-community Perspective (Loyola JOSEPH) 169 Buwama and Nabweru Multipurpose Community Telecentres: Baseline Surveys in Uganda (Samuel KYABWE & Richard KIBOMBO) 175 RadioNet: Community Radio, Telecentres and Local Development (Emmanuelle LAMOUREUX) 199 Impact of the Internet: some conceptual and methodological issues, or how to hit a moving target behind the smoke screen (Michel J. MENOU) 207 Multipurpose Community Telecenters in Selected Philippine Barangays (Merlita OPEÑA) 223 On Estimating Telecentre Demand in Mexican Rural Municipios (Scott S. ROBINSON) 229 Telecenter evaluation issues - the Salvadoran experience (Clemente SAN SEBASTIÁN) 235 Telecentre Evaluation Methods and Instruments: What works and why? (George SCHARFFENBERGER) 241 Outcome Mapping: A Method for Reporting on Results (Terry SMUTYLO) 255 Understanding the Role of Community Telecentres in Development - A Proposed Approach to Evaluation (Anne WHYTE) 275 ------- End of forwarded message ------- From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Mon Nov 15 14:59:39 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id OAA105138; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 14:58:24 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id OAA105129 for ; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 14:58:16 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-088.super.net.pk [203.130.5.227]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id KAA07271 for ; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 10:05:07 -0500 Message-Id: <199911151505.KAA07271@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:58:53 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Study shows how slum-kids speedily take to computer (Fwd) X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [a very interesting piece from the GKD mailing list.] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 23:52:39 +0500 From: Frederick Noronha INDIAN EXPERIMENT SHOWS HOW SLUM-KIDS SPEEDILY TAKE TO COMPUTERS By Frederick Noronha >From slums to cyberspace? This may seem an impossibly large gap to bridge. But Indian educationists have undertaken an experiment which showed up amazing findings about the potential of even unlettered children to take to computers. Slum children in New Delhi taught themselves basic computer skills, and even managed to do some surfing on the Internet, after they were given access to a computer without any instructions or even a teacher. This experiment using a "minimally invasive" approach to education brought in "both strange and wonderful" results. Its findings were recently reported in a technical journal by two educationists of the Cognitive Engineering Research Centre of a prominent Indian computer-education firm, NIIT. The term "minimally-invasive" is incidentally borrowed from surgery! Under this experiment, a computer was kept next to a Delhi slum colony. It was housed in an outdoor kiosk, constructed in a way that it could be accessed both from the NIIT office as well as from the adjoining slum colony. Like in any Indian slum, this one too contained a large number of children of all ages, from 0-18. Most do not go to school. None of them are particularly familiar with the English language. Inspite of this, the slum kids took to the computer like a fish to water. They began experimenting with various applications, and switching from one website to another. Children invented their own vocabulary to describe some aspects of the working of the computer. They also formed impromptu classes to teach one another. Surprised researchers reported back: "Children (who are mostly unlettered) learnt basic operations of the computer for browsing and drawing within a few days...." They also said that within a month of interaction, children were able to discover and use features such as new-folder creation, cutting and pasting, shortcuts, moving/resizing windows and using MS Word to create short messages even without a keyboard." Initially, the slumdwellers did not have a clue as to what was the purpose of the computer-kiosk, built into the wall of the NIIT. "I don't think they quite understood what we wanted to do. As long as it did not take up their space, they did not really care," commented the researchers, Sugata Mitra and Vivek Rana. There was quite a lot of enthusiasm. They wanted to know what it was,why it was being put up there. "Most of the kids thought it was a video game being put up for free," reported the researchers. Some questions they asked included: "Is it a video game? What is a computer? How will we be benefited? But we don't know how to operate the computer!!!" Elders wanted to know who would take care of the computer. None of the questions were answered with any instructional sentence. "We gave general answers such as, 'It is a fun machine,'" reported the researchers. Initially, the computer, which had access to the Internet through a dedicated 2 Mbps connection, was linked to the Altavista (www.altavista.com) site on the internet. At the start, keyboard access was not given. No instructions were given either; the only exception being the final testing of the system with the 'touch pad', or the pointing device provided. This instruction too was not given deliberately. Early users were the little boys from the slum colony, in the 6- 12 age group. They just fiddled around with the touch pad, and found it interesting. Next, they perhaps accidentally learnt how to click from the touch pad itself. After that, they found they could relate to the concept of 'channels'. From a video camera spying down on the experiment from a nearby tree, it was found that they children were prompting one another: "Go to channels... there must be TV". In a few hours, they learnt to manipulate and click the mouse. Enthusiasm stayed high, and in the next two or three days, the kids were trying to open the 'Start Menu', opening new windows, opening the 'My Computer' from the desktop, opening other applications. From a distance, through the video camera, the educationists kept a close watch on what the children were doing. This project was launched in earlier this year. Barely a week after launching the experiment in end-January 1999, the slum kids found a teacher of their own! Sanjay Chowdhary is a second year Bachelor of Arts student, who has done a basic course in computer from India's open university, IGNOU. Reported the researchers: "Since he is the only one who knows computers in the colony, all kids give him great respect. He has been found teaching them how to operate the touch pad (the pointing device). It must be realised that the 'intervention' here is situational. The children found the best resource they could." Within ten days, the mostly-unlettered kids learnt to shut down the computer. In a fortnight's time, the researchers found themselves removing hundreds of 'shortcuts' from the desktop. "This shows that someone is really finding it interesting to create these shortcuts," said Mitra and Rana, reporting their findings in the journal of the Computer Society of India, a professional body. The kids started shifting to sites like disneyblast.com and MTVonline. They tried out applications like the calculator, paint and even chat. They could not do much with chat though, since they had not been provided the keyboard. When the researchers asked the people for their comments on the new addition in the form of the computer, the women were skeptical. "Yeh daal-roti dega kya? (Will this give us food?)" they asked. Attempts to persuade the women to use the computer came up against a wall. Within a fortnight, the researchers found clock.exe (the clock) running on the desktop. Many new folders were found created on the desktop. "This could be the handywork of a school student, or a group of them,who have learned to create a new folder, and are enjoying it," commented the researchers. Someone changed the start-up screen for the WinNT computer. In under a month of playing around with the computer, someone actually learnt maximising and minimising windows. They soon figured out how to change the wallpaper sitting, and that one can change the wallpaper to any Internet picture. One site of a North Indian Hindi newspaper, www.naidunia.com, evoked some interest as the 10-12 year old children wanted to see their horoscope for the day. But some others were more keen on using the Paint application. Lessons learnt from this experiment are interesting. It shows that it is not just middle-class children from urban areas of the Third World who are able to self-instruct and obtain help from the environment when required. So, it might be incorrect for just urban Indian parents to marvel at the speed with which their children are able to master the computer, once given access. "Once available, the computer-kiosk was used immediately by children, aged about 5 to 16 years old. These children had a very limited understanding of the English alphabet and could not speak the language," noted Mitra and Rana. These children also 'invented' their own vocabulary to define terms on the computer. For example, they used terms like 'sui' (needle) for the cursor, 'channels' for websites and 'kaam kar raha hai (it's working) for the hourglass or busy symbol. Soon, the slum kids were strongly opposed to the idea of removing the kiosk. Parents felt that while they could not learn the operation of the kiosk, or did not see its need, they felt it was very good for the children. "It is imperative to repeat such experiments in other locations before one can generalise from these observations or come to any conclusion regarding the educational benefits of such a non- invasive method," the researchers cautioned. Steps would be needed to also design PC kiosks that can operate outdoors in tropical countries. Wireless connectivity to the Internet would need to be devised for kiosks in areas not physically close to organisations with Internet access. But they used this experiment to suggest that it might be possible to question the apprehensions from academicians and others "that the ability to access and the quality of training provided will hinder the use of the Internet in the (Indian) subcontinent". "We have found people (on the subcontinent) questioning the utility of the schemes that rely on the Internet. (On the grounds that) there are too few people in the region who have access," they point out. In their view, this may not be a good argument. To stress their point, the researchers point to the widespread impact of films, in a region where most people don't have sufficient resources for their daily meals. Yet they patronise cinema in a big way. India produces the largest number of films in the world. Mitra and Rana point out that the cost of acquiring a personal computer and an Internet connection at home is around Rs 70,000 (US$ 1600). Recurring yearly phone bills would come to Rs 10,000 (US$235) a year. "In a country where the average annual income is about Rs 6000, these amounts are not small," they point out. Other experiments in South Asia have also been reported on. One experiment was carried out in unsupervised learning of computers. In the village of Udang of West Bengal, Mamar Mukhopadhyay and his team placed a few computers in a rural school. Children were allowed to use them after minimal instructions. Word processing, spreadsheets and database management systems were readily learnt by both teachers and students, who then went on to create a rural resources and healthcare database. They conceded that several more experiments would be needed in different areas to "investigate whether self-learning will occur uniformly among disadvantaged children" before wider conclusions can be reached. But, they said, it was shown to be possible to design PC-kiosks that can operate outdoors in tropical climates. Such kiosks would need to be protected against heat, temperature, dust, humidity and possible vandalism, of course. ------- End of forwarded message ------- From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Tue Nov 16 04:51:37 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id EAA81546; Tue, 16 Nov 1999 04:48:50 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id EAA81497 for ; Tue, 16 Nov 1999 04:47:37 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-044.super.net.pk [203.130.5.183]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA20063 for ; Mon, 15 Nov 1999 23:51:47 -0500 Message-Id: <199911160451.XAA20063@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 23:45:15 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: (Fwd) Tulane Seminar Series, please forward to all that are interested. X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the DEVEL-L mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 17:37:33 -0500 From: BJ Cameron ****************Invitation to a seminar**************** "Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Challenges and Strategies for Developing Countries" Tulane Institute for International Development (TIID) invites you to its November Seminar under the 1999 Tulane International Development Seminar Series. Speaker: Luther S. Williams That knowledge is highly correlated with economic development (income per capita) and innovations that lead to new market niches is well established, the issue of causality notwithstanding. In this lecture, development will be discussed from a knowledge perspective with emphasis on universal education, scientific and technical training/ workforce preparation, local research and development activities, knowledge integration, and information transfer/dissemination. As knowledge gaps represent critical challenges to developing countries, the unitary hypotheses, enabling environment and resources and strategic approaches for the address of this problem via knowledge acquisition, absorption, dissemination and standards for knowledge attributes will be discussed. Employing the "Green Revolution", Biotechnology, and Computational Sciences/ Informational Technology as paradigms of knowledge Development, notable examples of effective use of knowledge by specific developing nations will be examined. *****Time & Date***** The seminar will commence at 5.30 p.m. and end at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday November 18, 1999. ***Venue*** Tulane Institute for International Development 901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 1100 Arlington, Virginia 22203 (Ballston Metro; Street parking, and parking in 901 North Stuart available) This seminar is free and open to all, if you would like to attend the seminar: RSVP is required by Monday, November 15th. Telephone: (703) 243-0871 or e-mail: mmotoya@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu About the Speaker: Dr. Luther Williams, a visiting scholar at the Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer, served as the Assistant Director for Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education and Human Resources at the National Science Foundation from 1990 to 1999. Previous duties include service as the senior science advisor to the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Deputy Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, and faculty and administrative Positions at several universities, including: Purdue, MIT and Washington University in St. Louis. He received his Ph.D. degree in biology from Purdue University. ***Missed a Seminar??? *** Please Visit our Web site at http://payson.tulane.edu/mad/seminars . Here you can find text, audio and slides shows from previous presentations. ------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------- From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Thu Nov 18 05:42:38 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA68595; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:39:07 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA68578 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:38:57 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-094.super.net.pk [203.130.5.233]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA19069 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:45:38 -0500 Message-Id: <199911180545.AAA19069@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:33:08 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Subject: Doing IT the Indo-Lankan way X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-MIME-Autoconverted: from Quoted-printable to 8bit by whois.apnic.net id FAA68591 Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Doing IT the Indo-Lankan way Our Bangalore Bureau 16 NOVEMBER NIIT’S vice-president L Balasubramaniam feels that there is one way of combating the perceived threat from China, the Philippines and Hungary to India’s status as the most cost-effective developer of quality software. At Monday’s Indo-Sri Lanka JBC in Bangalore, he suggested that India make use of Sri Lanka as a base for software. While spelling out the advantages, he also listed the disadvantages in the existing infrastructure in Sri Lanka not being adequate to build up a pool of software programmers. Even existing programmers in Sri Lanka were, he noted, relocating elsewhere. If start-ups start up in Sri Lanka, they could even be showcased at SITE which, in its full form, stands for the South India Trade Exhibition, held once a year in the 40,000 sq ft of air-conditioned space provided by the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre in the heart of Colombo. Despite the exclusive association, SITE takes pride in the fact that it showcases mainly small and medium industries. “The big can and do take care of themselves,” says S K Hazari, president of the India-Asean-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry. SITE is organised by Intertrade Lanka Management (Pvt) Ltd, the exhibition arm of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industries of Sri Lanka whose president Lal de Mel is confident that what Singapore has done, India and Sri Lanka can do. Intertrade’s general manager S Dave anticipates that SITE 2000 will do better than the 1999 version which featured 242 delegates and 103 companies, attracted over 9,000 visitors and did spot business in excess of Rs 40 lakh (INR), apart from subsequent signing of contracts worth Rs 140 lakh . SITE 2000 will have a special focus on food and herbal products, gifts, stationery, office consumable, cotton yarn, plastics, printing, packaging, electrical and electronic goods and industrial consumable. http://www.economictimes.com/today/17tech08.htm From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Thu Nov 18 05:42:38 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA68767; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:41:54 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA68761 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:41:48 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-094.super.net.pk [203.130.5.233]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA18998 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:42:29 -0500 Message-Id: <199911180542.AAA18998@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:33:09 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Internet Use in Asia to Explode by 2005 X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the asia-women mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- From: "Nani Buntarian" To: Date sent: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 21:58:53 +0700 this message is a posting to < asia-women@jca.apc.org > Newsbytes Asia: Internet Use in Asia to Explode by 2005 A new survey finds that the amount of people using the Internet in Asia will increase by 422 percent in the next six years and will number 228 million by 2005. Authors of the survey, London based Philips Group, estimate that there are currently 43.6 million Asians online and predict that by 2006, that figure could be 370 million, representing a 62 percent increase on current figures. While the majority of users will be concentrated in Japan for the next few years, by 2005, Internet use in China will surpass that in any other country in the region. By 2005, 37.6 percent of Asian Internet users will be Chinese, representing 85 million users. Another survey by IDC finds that despite the fact that Asian users would rather surf the Web in their native language, a growing number are going to English language Web sites. ------- End of forwarded message ------- From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Thu Nov 18 05:42:37 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA68792; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:42:09 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA68782 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:42:03 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-094.super.net.pk [203.130.5.233]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA19049 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:44:15 -0500 Message-Id: <199911180544.AAA19049@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:33:10 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Bangladesh among 'most exposed' to Y2K bug X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the Cybercom India mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 22:31:54 +0500 From: Frederick Noronha Bangla among 'most exposed' to Y2K bug by Ershadul Huq, India Abroad News Service Dhaka, Nov 16 - Bangladesh is among 12 countries "most-exposed" and vulnerable to the millennium bug despite being one of the first to form a national committee to tackle the Y2K problem, according to a leading global information technology consulting group. The Cartner group, in a rating chart, pitched Bangladesh at level four -- which means there is a 66 per cent chance corporate failures will occur due to the Y2K problem -- even though it is one of the countries with the lowest access to computers. The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AMCHAM) has warned its members to leave this country to avoid the millennium glitch. "The uncertainties are so enormous that it is impossible to make any intelligent forecast of what's really in store, said AMCHAM president Forrest Cookson in a letter to the members about the consequences. "If you are outside Bangladesh, plan to stay away for at least a week until you find out what has happened and there is time for adjustments to be made." Members should arrange extra supplies, such as candles and drinking water and have a substantial amount of cash on hand before the new millennium strikes, Cookson advised. He also warned members that their business equipment might be vulnerable. Cookson said it was difficult to assess the situation Bangladesh would be facing as the government was not prepared to tackle the problem. He said the sectors that are most likely to be Y2K-affected include electricity generation, telecommunications, medical equipment, gas and air traffic control. Bangladesh formed a national Y2K committee in May 1998 with 36 members to assess the exposure of different sectors to the problem and to prepare an action plan on the 2000 date change. In April, the committee formed special groups to work on eight sectors -- finance, energy, telecommunications, information, transport, industry, medical equipment, health and defence. Towards the middle of this year, State Minister for Planning Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir had said the Y2K bug was unlikely to unleash any catastrophic damage in Bangladesh as the country had very limited use of computers. However, foreign and local experts say it is difficult to predict what will happen when Bangladesh greets year 2000 since there has not been any meaningful action yet. "Most of what has been done is the survey of computers that do not play critical roles in government or industrial operations," said a local expert who spoke on condition of anonymity. The expert claimed there were several areas where chips were used for processing and nothing had been done yet to save those systems from the millennium bug. Another expert suggested that there should be action at two levels -- one to identify the problems which might arise and another to come up with emergency action plans for weathering bigger breakdowns that cannot be prevented. He proposed an administrative process wherein the officers responsible would see whether the critical sectors have carried out requisite analyses and take responsibility for the Y2K-readiness status their own sectors. A clear, written statement of responsibility would ensure more aggressive action towards preparing for the millennium transition, he said. "The reliance on vague, committee-based responsibility would not lead to any meaningful preparation," he added. ------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------- From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Thu Nov 18 05:42:37 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA68780; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:42:01 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA68770 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:41:55 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-094.super.net.pk [203.130.5.233]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA18860 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:39:24 -0500 Message-Id: <199911180539.AAA18860@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:33:08 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Pakistan Telecommunication Company improves link with outside world X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Pakistan Telecommunication Company improves link with outside world RECORDER REPORT ISLAMABAD (November 16) : Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced the commissioning of its link with South Asia, Middle East and Western Europe (SEA-ME-WE-III) Submarine Cable System from November 1, 1999. The SEA-ME-WE-III is a 3rd generation high capacity of 30 countries led by France Telecom and Singapore Telecom for providing high capacity digital communication links of 10 Gigabite Capacity from Southeast Asia to Middle East and to Western Europe via the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea for 403333 MIUs KM (Minimum Investment Unit KM). One MIU corresponds to 2 Mbytes/See tributary equivalent to 30 digital voice channels each of 64 Kbites. With the availability of both the Satellite and Submarine Fibre Optic Systems enhanced quality service with diversity and reliability for International Communications will be provided. In the long-term PTCL will financially benefit from this investment in terms of high traffic, cheaper annual charges compared to space segment charges of the satellite and higher revenue yields in addition to efficiency. It will also reduce call establishment time as communications through satellite takes more time to establish a telephone call. For the first time, Pakistan has appeared on the world canvas of Submarine Fibre Optic Network. With the commissioning of SEA-ME-WE- III now the PTCL will be able to provide higher bandwidth for Information Technology and Internet services with minimum waiting period. This submarine cable has been laid by an International Consortium in which PTCL is one of the partners. Since November 1999 Pakistan is connected to the High Capacity International Information Highway, based on a Strategy for utilisation and pricing of the Fibre Optic System Capacity PTCL will gradually shift its international traffic from the existing satellite system to Submarine Fibre Optic Cable. The strategy including tariff for leasing the capacity to the private telecom sector and corporate customer will be announced soon. Copyright 1999 Business Recorder (www.brecorder.com) http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0010/S1002/S1002110.htm From owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Thu Nov 18 05:42:38 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA68823; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:42:26 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA68811 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:42:19 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-094.super.net.pk [203.130.5.233]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA18928 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:40:56 -0500 Message-Id: <199911180540.AAA18928@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:33:09 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Coming up -- a Silicon Valley in Indonesia X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@whois.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Coming up -- a Silicon Valley in Indonesia Soeryadjaya in venture with Indon, Japanese govts to develop project By Yang Razali Kassim [SINGAPORE] Edward Soeryadjaya, the resilient comeback kid of Indonesian business, has teamed up with the Indonesian and Japanese governments to build Indonesia's own Silicon Valley. Called Cybercity, the project will be sited in Jakarta. It will be a centre for e-commerce, software research and development, telecommunications and multimedia and is intended to position the capital as a regional information technology hub. If fully realised, it will compete head-on with other emerging regional information technology hubs such as Singapore, Hongkong and Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor. Funded by both private and public capital, it will also act as an incubator for emerging Indonesian technopreneurs and become an education centre in information technology. The proposed Cybercity will be built on the 450-hectare old Kemayoran airport six km from the city centre and will be an integrated development in which people can work and play. It will have six zones -- for the Cybercity nucleus, light industry, education and training, hotel and residential use and recreation and entertainment. Mr Soeryadjaya, disclosing these in an exclusive interview with The Business Times in Jakarta recently, said he will be using his Singapore-based listed L&M Group Investment Ltd as a catalyst for some of the multimedia projects. But the primary vehicle to create Cybercity will be PT Jakarta International Trade Fair Corporation (JITC), a 59 billion rupiah (S$14 million) joint venture between the Indonesian and Japanese sides. "I came up with the idea of Cybercity to put as many IT players and businessmen in one place. With the right concept and a different approach, we hope this will be a good niche to attract new capital," Mr Soeryadjaya said. Documents released to BT show that the Indonesian side comprises Mr Soeryadjaya's PT Griya Nusantara Pratama (GNP), the State Secretariat (Setneg) representing the central government, and the Jakarta city government (DKI) which owns the land on which Cybercity will be built. In turn, the city government and PT GNP are taking part in the project through a joint venture company called PT Jayanusa Pradana (JNP). Together, the three Indonesian parties -- GNP, the city government and the State Secretariat -- will own 57.5 per cent of JITC. Mr Soeryadjaya's interest in the total Indonesian stake will amount to nearly 40 per cent of the 57.5 per cent held by the Indonesian side. His PT GNP has already pumped in US$30 million (S$50 million) in equity, he said. The remaining 42.5 per cent of JITC will be controlled by the Japanese partners, who comprise the Japanese government and 57 private sector players. Together, they have formed a consortium called the Jakarta Development Corporation-Japan (JDC-Japan). The Japanese government will come in through the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), which involves, among others, the Japanese ministries of finance, foreign affairs and trade and industry, Mr Soeryadjaya said. Since last month, the OECF has merged with the Exim Bank of Japan to become the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the world's biggest bank. The OECF has been providing some one-third of Indonesia's foreign aid. On the Japanese private sector, some of the big names roped in include Sumitomo, Toyota, Mitsubishi and the Industrial Bank of Japan. The project has been many years in the offing but things speeded up recently before the change of leadership in Indonesia. Mr Soeryadjaya is close to both President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice- President Megawati Sukarnoputri, but he plays down the ties. His comeback through Cybercity also coincides with the re-emergence of the Soeryadjaya family's flagship business, PT Astra, which has suffered a severe decline in fortunes in recent years. His links with Mr Abdurrahman (or Gus Dur) dates back to Bank Nusumma days when he teamed up with Gus Dur to start a network of rural banks for the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Islamic movement then led by Gus Dur. His first wife was the adopted daughter of Indonesia's first president Sukarno. She died in 1977 in Singapore. Mr Soeryadjaya recently married Atilah Rapatriati, the grand-daughter of a Mangukenegaran king in Solo city in Central Java. Atilah's brother is married to Sukmawati, the sister of Vice-President Megawati. Among close circles, the 53-year-old Mr Soeryadjaya is known by his Muslim name, Muhammad Irwan. The entry of official Japanese funds as equity capital is significant, marking a major shift in the way Tokyo is channelling its aid to developing countries. "The Japanese government is coming in, not as a loan giver, but as an equity holder. It means they are committing themselves for the very long-term," Mr Soeryadjaya said. This is just as well. For it would have been difficult if Cybercity was to depend largely on private sector funding because of the long payback period, low returns and depressed property market. "You won't get the needed funds to develop the area and the project," he added. Cybercity will cover 44 ha of the 450 ha of land of the old Kemayoran airport. Some 10 ha will be used for the core, called the Cybercentre, which will be a multimedia city. Also to be sited in Cybercentre is Global TV, a new television channel that will provide round-the-clock news-based programmes. http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/3/nfrnt/nfrnt01.html From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Sun Nov 21 02:36:51 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id CAA93152; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 02:36:51 +1000 (EST) Received: from akunet.org (qasid.akunet.org [208.244.71.2]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with SMTP id CAA93147 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 02:36:42 +1000 (EST) Received: from akunet.org by akunet.org (SMI-8.6/SMI-SVR4) id VAA05960; Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:36:56 -0500 Message-ID: <3836CE8D.EEB235D2@akunet.org> Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:38:37 +0500 From: Ahmed Omair X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.61 [en] (Win95; I) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: S-Asia-IT Subject: Saudi Telecom Criticized for Poor Internet Services Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Saudi Telecom Criticized for Poor Internet Services http://www.ditnet.co.ae/itnews/newsnov99/newsnov15.html Almost one year after Internet services were introduced into the rich kingdom, sub-standard equipment and congestions are hindering widespread Internet use and the development of e-commerce By Fawaz Jarrah, DIT Online Editor DUBAI: November 14, 1999 High access rates and poor network infrastructure are preventing widespread use of the Internet and the development of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, according to industry sources. The continuation of this state of affairs, at a time e-commerce hubs are being planned in the region, is expected to deprive the Saudi economy of many opportunities. "It has been almost one year since Internet access became available in the kingdom, yet the service is still much below standard and generally expensive for users," said a source close to Saudi Internet service providers (ISPs), who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said the service was unreliable, suffering from slow connections and frequent disconnection of users and businesses from the Net. This was causing financial losses to ISPs and business users, and was frustrating home-users, he added. The source blamed the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) for delays in developing its infrastructure and telephone lines, which were disrupting the service. He said users were frequently being cutoff from the Net either because the link was lost between the STC and ISPs or between the ISPs and users. This was damaging the relationship between the users and ISPs who were worried they would start losing clients, said the source. Another major obstacle that was preventing more people from subscribing to ISPs' services was the insufficient number of modem ports available to ISPs. "The number of modem ports was supposed to have increased by a much faster rate," said the source. About 40 ISPs were licensed in Saudi Arabia out of more than 70 applicants since the Internet was introduced in January. Each ISP was allocated 125 modem ports and left to decide on the number of subscribers taken per port. STC recommended five subscribers per port for "quality service" and 10-12 subscribers for "good service", and it advised that a ceiling of 20 subscribers per port should not be broken. However, 15 to 17 subscribers per modem are generally considered detrimental to the service by most standards. Going by the average quota of subscribers per modem for a good service, the total number of Internet subscribers that could be taken in the kingdom would only be 50,000, which is a small number compared to a population of about 18 million. Seeking expansion, many ISPs started taking around 20 subscribers per modem, which is adding to the problem by causing network congestion. "ISPs are bound to lose on their investments if the current situation drags on. They are crippled by the inefficiency of the service they get from the Saudi telecom, which is much behind in the expansion schedule it had announced. As a result ISPs are unable to plan their operational and marketing schemes," said the source. The source said the bad service would encourage alternative Internet access services like the satellite service VSAT (Very Small Aperture satellite Terminal), which serves home and business users. VSAT system, which uses uploading path through the regular ISP link but allows direct downloading through a satellite dish, may be more expensive initially, but it is much faster than the regular telecom link. The source called on STC to implement "an immediate and radical solution to the problem within a clear and fixed time frame that could enable ISPs to make their future planning." He also called on the Saudi Telecom to reconsider the high rates it charged, which constituted a heavy financial burden on both ISPs and users. The Internet Service Unit at the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, where a massive firewall filters the national Internet connection before it goes to Saudi Telecom, has set the rates ISPs can charge their clients between 190 Saudi Riyal (US$52) and 450 Saudi Riyal (US$123) per month for a range of Internet service options. The rates, which are the highest in the region, are more than 500 percent higher than those in the United States. Internet access is made even more expensive by the additional call rates that Saudi Telecom charges users when dialing up their ISPs. Users are charged double the regular telephone rates when using the Internet. STC claims that the additional rates are to help cover the cost of setting up an expensive infrastructure. However, the telecom is paid a hefty 408,000 Saudi Riyals (about US$111,000) per month by the Internet Service Unit for every E1 line leased - several folds more expensive than international rates. Meanwhile, criticism of Internet services in the kingdom by home and business users has been increasing. DITnet has monitored many complaints from Saudi Arabia on the Arabic service of the Web site's bulletin board, Al-Muntada. "Who is responsible for this bad service? Is it the ISPs, Saudi Telecom, or King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology?," questioned one subscriber. "Not only that the service is bad, it's offered at unreasonably high prices," said another. Focus seemed to have been lost as to why the Internet was introduced to Saudi Arabia, said a Saudi ISP source, who refused to be further identified. He said the Internet was generally seen as a major tool to help develop information technology in the kingdom. Such a goal required the setting up of a national network that facilitated online publishing and e-commerce. "The task to build such a network was initially entrusted with the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, then the project was handed to Saudi Telecom. Up till now the network has not materialized, and there are no indications as to when it will," said the source. "The low standard of Internet services in the Saudi Arabia as compared with the services in neighboring countries will deny the national economy some important opportunities for growth that e-commerce and other online services can bring," he said. -- Ahmed Omair [ao@akunet.org] & [ahmed.omair@aku.edu] Technical Support (Online Services) The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Tel: 92-21-48593437 (Direct) Fax: 92-21-4934059 From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Sun Nov 21 03:48:34 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id CAA93152; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 02:36:51 +1000 (EST) Received: from akunet.org (qasid.akunet.org [208.244.71.2]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with SMTP id CAA93147 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 02:36:42 +1000 (EST) Received: from akunet.org by akunet.org (SMI-8.6/SMI-SVR4) id VAA05960; Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:36:56 -0500 Message-ID: <3836CE8D.EEB235D2@akunet.org> Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:38:37 +0500 From: Ahmed Omair X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.61 [en] (Win95; I) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: S-Asia-IT Subject: Saudi Telecom Criticized for Poor Internet Services Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Saudi Telecom Criticized for Poor Internet Services http://www.ditnet.co.ae/itnews/newsnov99/newsnov15.html Almost one year after Internet services were introduced into the rich kingdom, sub-standard equipment and congestions are hindering widespread Internet use and the development of e-commerce By Fawaz Jarrah, DIT Online Editor DUBAI: November 14, 1999 High access rates and poor network infrastructure are preventing widespread use of the Internet and the development of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, according to industry sources. The continuation of this state of affairs, at a time e-commerce hubs are being planned in the region, is expected to deprive the Saudi economy of many opportunities. "It has been almost one year since Internet access became available in the kingdom, yet the service is still much below standard and generally expensive for users," said a source close to Saudi Internet service providers (ISPs), who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said the service was unreliable, suffering from slow connections and frequent disconnection of users and businesses from the Net. This was causing financial losses to ISPs and business users, and was frustrating home-users, he added. The source blamed the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) for delays in developing its infrastructure and telephone lines, which were disrupting the service. He said users were frequently being cutoff from the Net either because the link was lost between the STC and ISPs or between the ISPs and users. This was damaging the relationship between the users and ISPs who were worried they would start losing clients, said the source. Another major obstacle that was preventing more people from subscribing to ISPs' services was the insufficient number of modem ports available to ISPs. "The number of modem ports was supposed to have increased by a much faster rate," said the source. About 40 ISPs were licensed in Saudi Arabia out of more than 70 applicants since the Internet was introduced in January. Each ISP was allocated 125 modem ports and left to decide on the number of subscribers taken per port. STC recommended five subscribers per port for "quality service" and 10-12 subscribers for "good service", and it advised that a ceiling of 20 subscribers per port should not be broken. However, 15 to 17 subscribers per modem are generally considered detrimental to the service by most standards. Going by the average quota of subscribers per modem for a good service, the total number of Internet subscribers that could be taken in the kingdom would only be 50,000, which is a small number compared to a population of about 18 million. Seeking expansion, many ISPs started taking around 20 subscribers per modem, which is adding to the problem by causing network congestion. "ISPs are bound to lose on their investments if the current situation drags on. They are crippled by the inefficiency of the service they get from the Saudi telecom, which is much behind in the expansion schedule it had announced. As a result ISPs are unable to plan their operational and marketing schemes," said the source. The source said the bad service would encourage alternative Internet access services like the satellite service VSAT (Very Small Aperture satellite Terminal), which serves home and business users. VSAT system, which uses uploading path through the regular ISP link but allows direct downloading through a satellite dish, may be more expensive initially, but it is much faster than the regular telecom link. The source called on STC to implement "an immediate and radical solution to the problem within a clear and fixed time frame that could enable ISPs to make their future planning." He also called on the Saudi Telecom to reconsider the high rates it charged, which constituted a heavy financial burden on both ISPs and users. The Internet Service Unit at the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, where a massive firewall filters the national Internet connection before it goes to Saudi Telecom, has set the rates ISPs can charge their clients between 190 Saudi Riyal (US$52) and 450 Saudi Riyal (US$123) per month for a range of Internet service options. The rates, which are the highest in the region, are more than 500 percent higher than those in the United States. Internet access is made even more expensive by the additional call rates that Saudi Telecom charges users when dialing up their ISPs. Users are charged double the regular telephone rates when using the Internet. STC claims that the additional rates are to help cover the cost of setting up an expensive infrastructure. However, the telecom is paid a hefty 408,000 Saudi Riyals (about US$111,000) per month by the Internet Service Unit for every E1 line leased - several folds more expensive than international rates. Meanwhile, criticism of Internet services in the kingdom by home and business users has been increasing. DITnet has monitored many complaints from Saudi Arabia on the Arabic service of the Web site's bulletin board, Al-Muntada. "Who is responsible for this bad service? Is it the ISPs, Saudi Telecom, or King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology?," questioned one subscriber. "Not only that the service is bad, it's offered at unreasonably high prices," said another. Focus seemed to have been lost as to why the Internet was introduced to Saudi Arabia, said a Saudi ISP source, who refused to be further identified. He said the Internet was generally seen as a major tool to help develop information technology in the kingdom. Such a goal required the setting up of a national network that facilitated online publishing and e-commerce. "The task to build such a network was initially entrusted with the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, then the project was handed to Saudi Telecom. Up till now the network has not materialized, and there are no indications as to when it will," said the source. "The low standard of Internet services in the Saudi Arabia as compared with the services in neighboring countries will deny the national economy some important opportunities for growth that e-commerce and other online services can bring," he said. -- Ahmed Omair [ao@akunet.org] & [ahmed.omair@aku.edu] Technical Support (Online Services) The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Tel: 92-21-48593437 (Direct) Fax: 92-21-4934059 From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Sun Nov 21 18:56:36 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id SAA130723; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 18:56:35 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id SAA130714 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 18:56:30 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-131.super.net.pk [203.130.5.66]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id OAA06410 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 14:03:18 -0500 Message-Id: <199911211903.OAA06410@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 13:57:21 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: People For Internet Responsibility (pfir.org) X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the CPSR-Global mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 06:35:40 -0600 From: Marsha Woodbury X-URL: http://www.egroups.com/list/cpsr-global/ ANNOUNCING PFIR: "People For Internet Responsibility" http://www.pfir.org November 16, 1999 PFIR is a global, grassroots, ad hoc network of individuals who are concerned about the current and future operations, development, management, and regulation of the Internet in responsible manners. The goal of PFIR is to help provide a resource for individuals around the world to gain an ability to help impact these crucial Internet issues, which will affect virtually all aspects of our cultures, societies, and lives in the 21st century. PFIR is non-partisan, has no political agenda, and does not engage in lobbying. PFIR has been founded (in November, 1999) by Lauren Weinstein of Vortex Technology in Woodland Hills, California and Peter G. Neumann of SRI International in Menlo Park, California. Both have decades of continual experience with the Internet and its ancestor ARPANET, Lauren originally at the UCLA lab which was the ARPANET's first site, and Peter at the net's second site, located at SRI. Peter is the chairman of the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Committee on Computers and Public Policy, and the creator and moderator of the Internet RISKS Forum. Lauren is a member of that same committee, and he is the creator and moderator of the Internet PRIVACY Forum. With the rapid commercialization of the Internet and its World Wide Web during the 1990's, there are increasing concerns that decisions regarding these resources are being irresponsibly skewed through the influence of powerful, vested interests (in commercial, political, and other categories) whose goals are not necessarily always aligned with the concerns of individuals and the people at large. Such incompatibilities have surfaced in areas including domain name policy, spam, security, encryption, freedom of speech issues, privacy, content rating and filtering, and a vast array of other areas. New ones are sure to come! While corporate, political, and other related entities most certainly have important roles to play in Internet issues, it is unwise and unacceptable for their influences to be effectively the only significant factors affecting the broad scope of Internet policies. There are numerous examples. While e-commerce can indeed be a wonderful tool, it is shortsighted in the extreme for some interests to treat the incredible creation that is the Internet as little more than a giant mail order catalog, with ".com" associated hype on seemingly every ad, billboard and commercial. Protection of copyrights in a global Internet environment, without abusive monitoring, is a challenge indeed. The Internet can be a fantastic tool to encourage the flow of ideas, information, and education, but it can also be used to track users' behaviors and invade individuals' privacy in manners that George Orwell never imagined in his "1984" world. PFIR is a resource for discussion, analysis, and information regarding Internet issues, aimed at providing a forum for *ordinary people* to participate in the process of Internet evolution, control, and use, around the entire world. PFIR is also a focal point for providing media and government with a resource regarding Internet issues that is not controlled by entities with existing major vested financial, political, or other interests. This is accomplished through the PFIR Web site, the handling of telephone and e-mail queries, and through digests, discussion groups, reports, broadcast and Internet radio efforts, and other venues. For full details about People For Internet Responsibility, including information regarding how you can participate in or keep informed about PFIR activities (including the PFIR Digest mailing list), please visit the PFIR Web site at: http://www.pfir.org Individuals, organizations, media, etc. who are interested in more information regarding PFIR or these Internet issues are invited to contact: Phone, Fax, or E-mail: Lauren Weinstein TEL: +1 (818) 225-2800 FAX: +1 (818) 225-7203 lauren@pfir.org Please send any physical mail to: PFIR c/o Peter G. Neumann Principal Scientist Computer Science Lab SRI International EL-243 333 Ravenswood Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493 USA -------------------------------------------------------- From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Sun Nov 21 19:08:36 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id TAA66296; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 19:08:35 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id TAA66288 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 19:08:30 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-131.super.net.pk [203.130.5.66]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id NAA05807 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 13:48:09 -0500 Message-Id: <199911211848.NAA05807@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 13:41:31 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Bridging the Information Gap: SDNP, Pakistan X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [appeared in Dawn, 18 Nov 1999] Bridging the Information Gap: Sustainable Development Networking ---------------------------------------------------------------- Programme (SDNP), Pakistan -------------------------- The Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) is one of the pioneers of Internetworking in Pakistan. It is one of the first public email service providers -- having started its services way back in March '94 -- setting standards of reliability and efficiency for other service providers to follow. It's a global programme of UNDP -- to promote sustainable development through the use of ICTs -- managed by IUCN - The World Conservation Union, in Pakistan. Initially, 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. Started as a demonstration project to show the effectiveness of cheap dialup networking technologies to access useful information and expert advice from global networks, it also catered to the need for an efficient, reliable and reasonably priced email service. It got a kick start when it helped in mitigating an environmental disaster. It was when an unscrupulous operator had dumped a few tons of a highly toxic chemical substance, meta-dinitrobenzene near a railway station in Karachi. It caused a number of casualties before the local administration impounded the material, and not knowing what it was -- they were lead into believing that it was potassium or sodium cyanide from the toxic effects that it had caused -- dumped it into the Lyari river. However, when the material was correctly identified through the efforts of IUCN Pakistan, SDNP posted an SOS to a number of relevant newsgroups and conferences on the Internet. The response was nothing short of overwhelming -- both through fax and e-mail. More than 50 organizations and individuals responded with concrete suggestions and offers of help with the happy result that the toxic material was safely incinerated under expert supervision. SDNP has been working to create a highly conscious and active cyber-community in Pakistan which can make an optimum use of the Internetworking technologies for the uplift of the country. It is 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. In its current phase, it's going to launch online Internet services from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. In addition, the information services would be extended to the World Wide Web (WWW). Todate, there is a serious paucity of local content, especially development information related to Pakistan. SDNP would strive to change this situation by building the capacity of key information sources (organizations) in the country to enable them to publish, maintain and upgrade information on the Web. It would be in addition to host their web pages, essentially free of cost. This training initiative has already been launched. SDNP would also develop its own web site, envisioned to be a gateway for all significant development information about Pakistan. It will serve as a meta-repository by not only hosting web pages but creating links to other sites where relevant info can be found. All these information resources would be indexed and searchable through an RDBMS. Some other related activities -- like setting up a virtual library and software for Development Information Systems (DIS) -- are also being contemplated. SDNP has a global partnership with HP. Since 1996, HP has served as a "Trusted Advisor" to the SDNP Programme. Over 10 SDNP developing countries benefit from receiving HP networking solutions that help changing the way people live, work and communicate. ------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------- From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Mon Nov 22 05:42:50 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA67876; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 05:42:49 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA67870 for ; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 05:42:43 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-100.super.net.pk [203.130.5.239]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA32604 for ; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 00:02:54 -0500 Message-Id: <199911220502.AAA32604@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 23:56:09 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: (Fwd) ICTs and Small Enterprise: Research Findings Online X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the Devel-L mailing list] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 15:56:06 GMT From: Dr Richard Heeks A new report: 'Information, ICTs and Small Enterprise: Lessons from Botswana' is available from the IDPM Web site at: http://www.man.ac.uk/idpm/idpm_dp.htm#devinf_wp It summarises interim findings from a research project in Botswana about the information systems and information needs of small enterprises. It also presents recommendations on ICT use in small enterprises. As usual with our papers, there is an educators' guide for those wishing to use the paper for individual or group training. Richard Heeks --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Richard Heeks Senior Lecturer, Information Systems & Development Institute for Development Policy & Management University of Manchester Precinct Centre Manchester M13 9GH U.K. Phone: +44-161-275-2870 Fax: +44-161-273-8829 Email: richard.heeks@man.ac.uk IDPM Web: http://www.man.ac.uk/idpm --------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- End of forwarded message ------- From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Mon Nov 22 16:01:13 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id QAA89060; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 16:01:13 +1000 (EST) Received: from fh105.infi.net (fh105.infi.net [209.97.16.35]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA89047 for ; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 16:01:07 +1000 (EST) Received: from akron.infi.net (AKRNB102-30.splitrock.net [209.156.82.30]) by fh105.infi.net (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id BAA18164; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 01:00:32 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <3838DBD1.5057CDD7@akron.infi.net> Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 00:59:45 -0500 From: Bob Pyke Jr X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 [en] (Win95; U) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: South Asia List CC: BCS-Devel , GKD , IT Nepal Subject: [Fwd: [pn] Asia/US Internet Use] Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="------------F77B6E85644074CC95AC0F9A" Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------F77B6E85644074CC95AC0F9A Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit FYI, Bob Pyke Jr --------------F77B6E85644074CC95AC0F9A Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: Received: from relay4.hawaii.edu (relay4.hawaii.edu [128.171.94.12]) by fh105.infi.net (8.8.8/8.8.8) with SMTP id VAA13192 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 21:35:46 -0500 (EST) Received: from listserver.its.hawaii.edu ([128.171.94.11]) by relay4.Hawaii.Edu with SMTP id <374106(4)>; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 16:35:22 -1000 Received: from localhost.its.hawaii.edu ([127.0.0.1]) by listserver.its.hawaii.edu with SMTP id <311007(1)>; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 16:34:58 -1000 Received: from relay4.hawaii.edu ([128.171.94.12]) by listserver.its.hawaii.edu with SMTP id <310415(6)>; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 16:34:32 -1000 Received: from brainy1.ie-eg.com ([194.79.96.40]) by relay4.Hawaii.Edu with SMTP id <373873(1)>; Sun, 21 Nov 1999 16:34:18 -1000 Received: from [194.79.106.70] ([194.79.106.79]) by brainy1.ie-eg.com (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id EAA16602 for ; Mon, 22 Nov 1999 04:32:21 +0200 (EET) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" X-Sender: markw@pop-server.hawaii.edu Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 16:40:15 -1000 To: papyrus-news@hawaii.edu From: Mark Warschauer Subject: [pn] Asia/US Internet Use Reply-To: markw@hawaii.edu Sender: owner-papyrus-news@hawaii.edu X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.2.07 -- ListProc(tm) by CREN ********************************************************************* This message was distributed by Papyrus News, a free e-mail distribution list on the global impact of information technology on language, literacy, and education. Feel free to forward this message to others, preferably with this introduction. For information on Papyrus News, including how to (un)subscribe or access archives, see . ********************************************************************* The following is excerpted from NUA Internet Surveys. See bottom for subscription info... Mark ******************************************************************** DEMOGRAPHICS Archives: ******************************************************************** Computer Industry Almanac Inc.: Chinese Users to Outnumber US Users by 2010 The latest figures from Computer Industry Almanac show that by the end of this year, there will be 110 million online in the US and by 2002, that figure will be 165 million. According to the group, Japan will be home to 18 million users, the UK will have 14 million users, Canada will have 13 million and Germany will have just over 12 million users. Globally the group expect there to be 490 million users by 2002 and of that, US users will account for just under half. Reasons for the high US projections were; high penetration of PCs in the US, relatively cheap access rates, high population density and the proliferation of ecommerce sites based in the US. The authors of the report commented that Asian and European countries will close the gap with the US when new technology such as DSL and cable-modems enter the market. Internet users in countries such as China and India will outnumber those in the US by 2010 due to a combination of their high population density and their current investment in infrastructure. __________________________________________________________________ Newsbytes Asia: Internet Use in Asia to Explode by 2005 A new survey finds that the amount of people using the Internet is Asia will increase by 422 percent in the next six years and will number 228 million by 2005. Authors of the survey, London based Philips Group, estimate that there are currently 43.6 million Asians online and predict that by 2006, that figure could be 370 million, representing a 62 percent increase on current figures. While the majority of users will be concentrated in Japan for the next few years, by 2005, Internet use in China will surpass that in any other country in the region. By 2005, 37.6 percent of Asian Internet users will be Chinese, representing 85 million users. Another survey by IDC finds that despite the fact that Asian users would rather surf the Web in their native language, a growing number are going to English language Web sites. __________________________________________________________________ Strategis Group: Over Half of US Adults Use the Internet The number of US Internet users has just passed the 100 million mark, representing half of the entire adult population, according to new research from the Strategis Group. Just one year ago, that figure was 68 million. The typical user sends six emails per day and the gap between home use and work use is narrowing. Of those that surf on a daily basis, 60 percent do so from home while 69 percent do so from work. Authors of the report believe that users are more savvy now, with over 77 percent of them able to send an attachment with their email. One fifth have created or updated a page in the last three months. ******************************************************************** NUA INTERNET SURVEYS NUA INTERNET SURVEYS NUA INTERNET SURVEYS Weekly free email on what's new in surveys on the Internet By Nua Email: surveys@nua.ie Web: http://www.nua.ie/surveys/ ******************************************************************** November 15th 1999 Published By: Nua Limited Volume 4 No. 43 ******************************************************************** --------------F77B6E85644074CC95AC0F9A-- From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Tue Nov 23 15:28:04 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id PAA74522; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 15:28:04 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id PAA74514 for ; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 15:27:57 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-115.super.net.pk [203.130.5.115]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id KAA00485 for ; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:13:46 -0500 Message-Id: <199911231513.KAA00485@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:07:50 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Asean leaders expected to adopt IT strategy X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [ASEAN is the association of SouthEAST Asian countries.] Asean leaders expected to adopt information technology strategy SINGAPORE (November 22) : With the worst post-war financial crisis now behind them, Southeast Asian leaders this week will consider ambitious plans for an information technology (IT) grid across the region. They are expected to endorse a so-called "e-Asean" initiative that will lay the groundwork for the region to use IT, particularly the Internet, to drive businesses in the new millennium, officials said. The ultimate aim is to support electronic cross-border applications and services within Southeast Asia, and between the region and its key trading partners. A task force of top private and government officials will draw up for the Asean leaders a blueprint covering the legal, social and economic aspects of carving out an Asean "e-space" in the fast-moving world of information technology, officials familiar with the plans said. The IT initiative will complement plans by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to free trade and investment in the region and make it more competitive for foreign investors. "Information technology will feature very much in our discussion this time," said Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is expected to lead the IT deliberations at the Asean informal summit in Manila. Singapore is the most technologically advanced member of Asean, which also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. According to a meeting programme, the Asean leaders will hold an unprecedented dialogue with global IT gurus in the Philippines capital on November 28 to discuss the potential for IT growth in the region. Goh, speaking to Philippines editors here last month, likened the e- Asean plan to a key "building block" for the region. Goh cited other building blocks as the Asean Free Trade Area and Asean Investment Area. The e-Asean plan was adopted by Asean trade ministers at their last meeting in Singapore in September. Most Asean members already have IT initiatives to tap the potential of commerce on the Internet, such as the Multimedia Super Corridor project in Malaysia, the so-called "IT 2000 vision of an intelligent island" in Singapore and Cybercity plan in Indonesia. Asean's special panel on science and technology says the e-Asean initiative aims to position the region as a "dynamic hub of It facilities and applications for business, health, education and other services". Internet and e-commerce development will have to be the driving force of Asean economies as they region their footing after tackling the regional financial crisis which erupted in mid-1997, analysts say.--AFP http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0010/S1002/S1002104.htm From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Tue Nov 23 15:28:11 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id PAA74550; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 15:28:11 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id PAA74525 for ; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 15:28:04 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-115.super.net.pk [203.130.5.115]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id KAA00541 for ; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:15:15 -0500 Message-Id: <199911231515.KAA00541@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:07:49 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [Pakistan] "Government policies destroying telecom, IT industry" X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Government policies destroying telecom, information technology industry ISLAMABAD (November 20) : Internet service providers have warned that government policies may soon destroy the $1 billion private sector telecom operators and Information Technology (IT) industry in the country. A press release issued here on Friday by the Internet Service Providers of Pakistan (Ispak), a coalition of private sector ISPs, alleged that Pak Telecom is destroying this infant industry in Pakistan, which is helping in the socio-economic development of the country. It charged that the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganisation Act of 1996 accords certain privileges to PTCL to protect it and which has been providing handsome revenues to cash starved public exchequer during the last few years. Ispak said that the government has deregulated telecom sectors like cellular, data communication and Internet services and the private sector has made huge investments and progress in this sector. It however, complained that PTCL had been given an exclusive license by Pak Telecom Authority (PTA), the national telecom regulator, to operate basic telephony service in Pakistan, and that no other such license would be issued by PTA till year 2002. "The PTCL also enjoyed income tax holiday till the last year, but from this year onwards, its income is also liable to income tax like other public limited companies," it said. According to PTCL, its loss of revenue particularly in international telecommunication, which is a major source of earning, has been attributed to operation of Voice on Internet (VOIP) gateways in Pakistan by the private sector Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other companies. "Investigations in this matter reveal that PTCL's own officials are involved in such activities by patronising non- genuine players in the industry," Ispak alleged. It said that an Internet expert said that operation of such gateways is not possible without the involvement of PTCL officials as it has already made the ISP's dialup lines as one way (receive only) and no calls can be originated from these lines without the involvement of PTCL officials. Ispak said that PTCL has also recently launched massive expansion of its Internet project called Paknet at a cost of Rs 300 million in the first phase. "The award of contract of this project to a large multinational company has drawn criticism to this deal, as the company although renowned in telecom industry has little expertise and repute in execution of Internet projects," the press release said. "The private sector ISPs are in clear disadvantage here as PTCL is providing telecom facilities and infrastructure to Paknet at much lower costs than the costs paid by private sector ISPs," Ispak argued. It pointed out that the private sector ISPs are totally dependent on PTCL for provision of infrastructure such as international data circuits, dialup lines, etc. "By providing facilities to Paknet at a much lower cost, PTCL is already violating the Telecom Act, which prohibits the cross subsidy on other services by the revenue from basic telephony," it charged. "In order to ensure the success of its Paknet, PTCL has been denying the provision of international private lines (IPLs) and dialup lines to ISPs for the last few months," Ispak further charged. It claimed that recently, PTCL sanctioned 512 kbps and 1 Mbits IPLs to two Lahore-based companies that have not even started their Internet business. It added that on the other hand, PTCL has been reluctant to sanction even a 64 kbps bandwidth to other ISPs.--- Internews http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0010/S1002/S1002103.htm From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Wed Nov 24 04:29:17 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id EAA125128; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 04:29:17 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id EAA125123 for ; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 04:29:07 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-074.super.net.pk [203.130.5.213]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA03071 for ; Tue, 23 Nov 1999 23:35:54 -0500 Message-Id: <199911240435.XAA03071@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 23:29:50 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Cambodian children to get Net access X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [from the NewsHub Filtered Daily Tech News Roundup] Cambodian children to get Net access Children in remote Cambodian villages will soon be able to surf the Net thanks to an aid project that aims to put the country's isolated communities online. Two charities, American Assistance for Cambodia and Japan Relief for Cambodia, hope to install solar-powered computers, hooked up via satellite, in 200 village schools country- wide. The Internet could provide invaluable help with medical problems in the village, and it could also help generate some e- commerce, said Bernard Krisher, who is also publisher of the English- language Cambodia Daily newspaper. "I want these children first of all to make up for what they've lost and then get ahead by bringing them into the 21st century, teaching them how to use computers, reach the Internet and they can help their villages get medical attention through telemedicine, said Krisher. Apple Computer is donating computers to the project and Thailand's Shin Satellite Plc is helping to hook up schools. The World Bank is matching donations raised by the charity groups, San Jose Mercury News reported. http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/breaking/internet/docs/10494 94l.h tm From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Thu Nov 25 03:57:47 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id DAA91020; Thu, 25 Nov 1999 03:57:46 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id DAA91008 for ; Thu, 25 Nov 1999 03:57:39 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-123.super.net.pk [203.130.5.123]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA19166 for ; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 23:04:26 -0500 Message-Id: <199911250404.XAA19166@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 22:58:31 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: NEWS: Karnataka farmers may soon sell produce on the Net (Fwd) X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [with thanks to Frederick Noronha ] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 00:19:06 +0500 To: CYBERCOM@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU Karnataka farmers may soon sell produce on the Net from India Abroad News Service Bangalore, Nov 8 - Newly-elected Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna is planning to take one more leaf out of his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Nara Chandrababu Naidu's information technology (IT) book, this time to help the state's farmers sell and buy on the Net. 'KisanNet', the Internet application that uses web technologies to present information about farmer bazaars, is likely to be introduced in the state. State Assembly Speaker M.V. Venkatappa, who visited the 'KisanNet' stall at the recent Bangalore IT.Com '99 fair, said the government is seriously considering the possibilities of using the package to regulate the farmer markets. The application, developed by the Hyderabad-based Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) after Naidu outlined his plans for Andhra Pradesh farmers, effectively manages the various distribution channels of agricultural produce without the involvement of the middleman who usually pockets the bulk of the profits. The system involves installing a computer at each of the farmer bazaars in the state. A Remote Frequency Terminal (RFT) is then used to feed the pricing and stock information of the respective market. This is recorded as the database. The web interface can also be used for the same purpose. All the user workstations in a district are connected to a server at the district headquarters, which in turn is connected to the state capital, The New Indian Express reported. The farmer can make use of the news flashes on the terminal before he decides to sell his produce. A customer can know at any given time the price of any given commodity and what the market trend is. The government too can analyse details about commodity consumption, future price projections and the demand and supply position of each commodity. This will help it plan for any expected shortage. Shortage of farm products is a very sensitive matter in India that can unseat governments, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee found out a year ago when it lost the Assembly elections in both Rajasthan and Delhi after onions became scarce. 'KisanNet' is currently being used in as many as 90 farmer bazaars in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu has said that it will be extended to 52 more. Krishna, who led his Congress party to power after September's Assembly elections, has said that he is a keen admirer of Naidu in the way in which he has tried to put IT to use in almost every facet of life in Andhra Pradesh. From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Thu Nov 25 03:57:50 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id DAA91037; Thu, 25 Nov 1999 03:57:50 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id DAA91012 for ; Thu, 25 Nov 1999 03:57:42 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-123.super.net.pk [203.130.5.123]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id XAA19169 for ; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 23:04:32 -0500 Message-Id: <199911250404.XAA19169@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 22:58:31 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: BBC drive to get Britain talking online (Fwd) X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk [with thanks to Frederick Noronha ] ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 00:19:05 +0500 To: CYBERCOM@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU BBC DRIVE TO GET THE NATION TALKING ONLINE The BBC is set to launch a major new drive to encourage online public debate and community networking in a series of web-based initiatives such as live chat, message forums and advice and guidance grouped under the heading 'Get Talking'. Among features under discussion are a direct online democratic element. Lizzie Jackson of BBC Online says the BBC is "talking to the Hansard Society about developing content to promote E-democracy", building on a recent live chat with 'e-minister' Patricia Hewitt (more on this below). Services under consideration include a sort of democratic gateway with details of how to contact your MP. Other initiatives in the 'Get Talking' stream will include a new Communities section of the BBC WebWise site, the online arm of the corporation's national WebWise campaign to teach people the basics of the internet. Here there will be guidance and tips on setting up online communities, case studies, and online diaries of people involved in projects. WebWise Communities will also house debate on a proposed manifesto for local communities online, to be presented to the Cabinet Office's Policy Action Team which is due to report to the Prime Minister by the end of the year on the use of technology in regenerating local communities. There will also be a new communities section to the BBC's online Web Guide, which will act as a guide to some of the best sites set up by UK urban and rural communities, local government sites and site-building resources. It will not act as a directory to all such sites (which UK Communities Online already maintains), simply as a pointer towards best practice. Another piece of the puzzle will be the launch of a 'Great Debate' combined live chat and message board at the end of November, run in conjunction with Radio 4. The debate will feature live chat with senior figures and message boards on a different topic each week, such as 'Should we go into Europe?' or 'How can the use of public transport be boosted?' The Great Debate concept will build on the format of two 'Live and Direct' online debates with leading figures looking at the development of the internet in the UK, which have already been held on BBC Online as part of the Webwise Communities project. The first was with author and online community builder Howard Rheingold and the second, held last week, with 'E-minister' Patricia Hewitt. The format is similar to live chat but filtered through a moderator, with some questions selected in advance, to ensure quality (and, presumably, decency). In the course of the Hewitt chat we learned that the minister is gearing up to do all her supermarket shopping online, and that before she became an MP in 1997 she spent two and a half years working with Andersen Consulti ng as their Director of Research, "so I used the internet and I also used the firm intranet that connected about 50,000 people across 55 countries. That was what made me realise the incredible power of these networks." All the community work in the 'Get Talking' programme will build towards a major BBC Online Communities Day to be held in March or April 2000 to take stock of progress, which the Department of Trade and Industry has offer ed to co-fund. Proceedings could include the presentation of an award for the best community web site. Ultimately, the success of the BBC's expansion of 'teledemocracy', national online debate and discussion forums could depend on its ability to upgrade its technology fast enough to cope with the huge expansion of online traffic that such initiatives could bring. The current message board system has slowed down on occasion, and although a new server is being installed to handle the extra traffic the corporation may find it needs even more hardware to achieve its ambitious new online vision. The Live and Direct debates are archived at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/liveanddirect/ BBC WebWise is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/ And the BBC Web Guide is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webguide/ From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Fri Nov 26 05:02:14 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA72620; Fri, 26 Nov 1999 05:02:13 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA72612 for ; Fri, 26 Nov 1999 05:02:07 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-028.super.net.pk [203.130.5.167]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA08452 for ; Fri, 26 Nov 1999 00:08:43 -0500 Message-Id: <199911260508.AAA08452@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 00:02:42 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: S.KUMARS.COM: Satellite-based internet trading for India X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk S.KUMARS.COM: Satellite-based internet trading for India By Krishna Guha in Bombay An Indian company is to set up a nationwide satellite-based e- commerce network that would allow millions of Indian consumers to purchase goods online. The ambitious plan will use satellites rather than ground-based infrastructure to create an e-commerce platform that would reach deep into rural India - connecting the tiniest villages to urban centres and the outside world. The Rs10bn ($230m) project is an attempt to kick-start the growth of e-commerce in India, circumventing the shortage of cable infrastructure, personal computers and credit cards. It is likely to be seen as a model for spurring the growth of e- commerce in developing countries where the installation of telephone lines is a costly hurdle to development. The company behind the scheme, S Kumars.com, a listed technology company, is to announce next week that it plans to set up an internet- based wireless public network with 50,000 terminals in more than 1,000 towns and cities. The company is in advanced talks with Hughes Network Services, part of the US aerospace group, and Gilat to provide satellite communications for the system, which will use VSAT technology. "We want to empower the local trader to benefit from e-commerce," said Vikas Kasliwal, chairman of S Kumars.com. "He does not have access to the internet, and he is not going to have access for a very long time." Mr Kasliwal's family controls a group of textile companies that sell clothes under the S Kumars name, a well-known middle-market brand. S Kumars.com aims to exploit the brand and the textile empire's distribution system. It will graft its virtual network on to the existing network of 30,000 S Kumars retailers and sign up a further 20,000 franchisees. The franchisees will act as public kiosks, with personal computers linked to the network via satellite. S Kumars is negotiating terms for an order of 50,000 VSAT terminals. Only 1m Indian households have a personal computer at home and there are only 11m telephone lines in the country, he said. "You have to tailor your plans to fit the ground realities," said Mr Kasliwal. S Kumars.com will use satellite links to reach small towns and cities that do not have reliable high-bandwidth fixed line networks. The franchisees, prominent local shopkeepers and traders, will handle the payments system, maintaining on-line accounts with S Kumars.com and receiving payments in cash from people who come to use the network. S Kumars.com will not offer full internet services for regulatory reasons, though it will connect to the world-wide web, and be accessible via an internet portal site. http://www.ft.com/hippocampus/q2e4112.htm From owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Fri Nov 26 05:02:16 1999 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id FAA72638; Fri, 26 Nov 1999 05:02:16 +1000 (EST) Received: from post.super.net.pk (post.super.net.pk [203.130.2.9]) by whois.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA72613 for ; Fri, 26 Nov 1999 05:02:08 +1000 (EST) Received: from excel586 (khi-line-028.super.net.pk [203.130.5.167]) by post.super.net.pk (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id AAA08458 for ; Fri, 26 Nov 1999 00:08:48 -0500 Message-Id: <199911260508.AAA08458@post.super.net.pk> From: "Irfan Khan" To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 00:02:42 +0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: [India] Tamil Nadu introduces computer education in state schools X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12a) Sender: owner-s-asia-it@lists.apnic.net Precedence: bulk Bytes and tykes: Tamil Nadu introduces computer education in state schools Shobha Warrier in Madras While other states are encouraging entrepreneurs already established in the infotech sector, Tamil Nadu is going a step further. Thanks to a suggestion from Murasoli Maran, the IT-savvy nephew of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, the state government has kept aside Rs 1.12 billion to impart computer education to the state's higher secondary students. The chief minister had announced, the chief minister had announced that computer science would be introduced as an optional subject in the 11th and 12th standards in all government higher secondary schools. The state thus expects 30,000 computer-literate students to pass out from various government schools of the state in 2001. Till now students of government schools could not take computer science as a subject. It was a luxury reserved for those in the urban areas alone. A high level committee headed by Prof Ananthakrishnana along with Prof Muthukrishnan, Deputy-Director of the IIT Madras drafted the syllabus that includes Introduction to Computers, Introduction to Windows, Basic DOS commands, Word Processing, spread sheets, Data Bases, Computer Communication and Internet, Programming in C, Visual Basic, Introduction to HTML and HTML concepts. Out of 1,250 government schools in the state, 666 were selected for the first phase of implementation. These include 146 schools in the Madras region (which include places like Madras, Kanchipurma, Thiruvallur, Vellore, Thiruvannamali, Cuddalore and Villupuram), 232 schools in the Coimbatore region (which include Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri and Nilgiris), 155 schools in the Madurai region (which include Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Tutocorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari) and 133 in the Trichy region (that include Trichy, Perambalur, Karur, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Namakkal. Of these 666 schools, 126 are girls' schools and 343 are rural schools. The government also plans to introduce computers as a subject in the ninth and 10th standards and then work down to the students of sixth, seventh and eighth standards. Involvement of the private sector in social infrastructure: As the first step, ELCOT was made the procurement and implementing agency for the TN government. The plan envisaged providing 10 computers to every class of 40 in every government school. ELCOT selected 43 computer education firms, choosing them on the basis of their experience in computer education, the number of centres they had in Tamil Nadu and whether they had established themselves in the business for the last three years. NIIT alone is going to provide computer education to 370 schools in the state and Aptech, to 20 schools. Other than some of ELCOT's joint ventures, like Ravichandra Systems (70 schools), Intron Electronics (10 schools), the Bombay-based Miacet (60schools), a number of local computer firms have also been involved in this effort. The five-year contract offered by the state is a leasing-cum-service contract in which the contractor has to provide the hardware, software as well as instructors in all schools. In each school, the firm has to provide one PC server, nine PCs, a modem, a UPS, a printer, a two-tonne air-conditioner, furniture, cabling, etc. The government will make quarterly payments to computer education firms through ELCOT. This will amount to Rs 1,712, 000 in five years. The firm will get 120th of Rs 1.7 million, but only after ELCOT gets a certificate of satisfaction from the headmaster or headmistress of the school. Inaugurating the computer education centers, Vice-President Krishna Kant stressed the need for a dependable infrastructure like power supply and communication. K Gnanadesikan, chairman and MD of ELCOT said Tamil Nadu was one of the better electrified states of the country. "The fact that we are able to provide three-phase power connections to computer labs in all the 666 schools without a hitch shows that we have the infrastructure," he said. The machines now use Pentium II chips, with upgradation planned in the next five years. And maintenance? "The equipment is owned by the computer firm. I am only the lessee. So, he is bound to maintain his equipment well. If the computers are not maintained, he will not get his payment. So, it is in their self- interest that they maintain the computers. "It is also the duty of the computer firm to ensure that at least 60 per cent of the students pass the 12th computer science examination. The firms have to pay a penalty if they do not meet all these standards," he said. The computer firms are allowed to use the school premises to teach the general people after school hours and during the vacations. So, they stand to earn more than just the quarterly payments the government provides. "I feel it is a win-win situation for all. Let us take NIIT. It has 80 centers in the state. Today in one shot, they have expanded their network by 370 centers," says Gnanadesikan. For the 30,000 students who pass out from the schools, there are already 16,000 IT-related courses in the 121 engineering colleges of the state that makes Tamil Nadu the largest producer of engineers. The HRD ministry and the Andhra Pradesh government have apparently sought blueprints of the computer education program. Murasoli Maran in his speech on the inauguration day had also noted that a study report by the Harvard Institute of Development Studies pointed out that Tamil Nadu has now emerged as a force to reckon with in information technology in Asia. If everything goes well, Karunanidhi's dream of having monitors replace blackboards will take place soon. http://www.rediff.com/computer/1999/nov/22tn.htm