കേരള വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റി സ്ഥാപന ശാക്തീകരണത്തിന്റെ പേരില്‍ മൈക്രോസോഫ്റ്റു്, ഒറാക്കിള്‍, സാപ് (SAP) തുടങ്ങിയ ബഹുരാഷ്ട്ര സോഫ്റ്റു്വെയര്‍ കുത്തകകളുടെ പ്രൊപ്രൈറ്റി സേവന സംവിധാനം ഏര്‍പ്പെടുത്താനുള്ള നീക്കം നടക്കുന്നതായി അറിയുന്നു. സംവിധാനത്തിന്റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തന രീതികളൊഴിച്ചു് മൂല കോഡുകളും (Source code) സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യയും വിവരങ്ങളുമൊന്നും വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റിക്കു് അവര്‍ ഫലത്തില്‍ കൈമാറില്ല. സ്ഥിരമായി ബഹുരാഷ്ട്ര സോഫ്റ്റു്വെയര്‍ ഭീമന്മാരോടു് ആശ്രിതത്വം സൃഷ്ടിക്കപ്പെടുകയും നിലനിര്‍ത്തപ്പെടുകയും വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റിയുടെ വിഭവം ചോര്‍ത്തപ്പെടുകയുമാണു് ഉണ്ടാകാന്‍ പോകുന്നതു്. 35 കോടിയോളം രൂപ ആദ്യ ചെലവും 22% വാര്‍ഷിക മെയിന്റനന്‍സു് സേവനച്ചെലവുമാണു് ഈ പദ്ധതിക്കു് വിഭാവനം ചെയ്തിരിക്കുന്നതു്. ഭാവിയില്‍ നിര്‍ബന്ധമായും അടിച്ചേല്‍പ്പിക്കപ്പെടാന്‍ പോകുന്ന വേര്‍ഷന്‍ പുതുക്കലിനും മറ്റും ആവശ്യമായി വരുന്ന ചെലവു് വേറെ വേണ്ടി വരും. ഡാറ്റാ സുരക്ഷയ്ക്ക് വേണ്ടിയുള്ള പ്രത്യേക സോഫ്റ്റു് വെയറുകളും നെറ്റു് വര്‍ക്കു് സുരക്ഷയ്ക്കാവശ്യമായ പ്രത്യേക സംവിധാനങ്ങളും കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര്‍ ഉപകരണങ്ങളുടെ ചെലവും ഭാവിയില്‍ വര്‍ദ്ധിപ്പിക്കും.
കേരളത്തില്‍ തന്നെ ലഭ്യമായ സാങ്കേതിക കഴിവും സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റുവെയറും ഉപയോഗിക്കാന്‍ തയ്യാറായാല്‍ ബഹുരാഷ്ട്ര കുത്തകകളിലുള്ള സ്ഥായിയായ ആശ്രിതത്വം ഒഴിവാക്കാം. വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റി ഒഫീസര്‍മാരുടേയും ജീവനക്കാരുടേയും ഒരു സംഘം സേവനം നല്‍കുന്നവരോടൊപ്പം ആദ്യം മുതല്‍ തന്നെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിച്ചു് തുടങ്ങിയാല്‍ ആദ്യ സേവന കരാര്‍ കാലം തീരുമ്പോഴേയ്ക്കും പൂര്‍ണ്ണമായ നടത്തിപ്പിനും സാധാരണ ഗതിയിലുള്ള മാറ്റങ്ങള്‍ക്കും മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തലിനും വികസനത്തിനുമുള്ള സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യ സ്വാംശീകരിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയും. സഹകരണ സംഘമടക്കം പ്രാദേശിക സേവന ദാതാക്കളാകട്ടെ അത്തരം സംയുക്ത പ്രോജക്ടിനും അതിലൂടെയുള്ള സാങ്കേതിക കൈമാറ്റത്തിനും തയ്യാറാണു് താനും. സ്ഥാപന ശാക്തീകരണത്തോടൊപ്പം നിലവിലുള്ള മുഴുവന്‍ ജീവനക്കാരുടേയും ശാക്തീകരണവും എളുപ്പത്തില്‍ നടക്കുന്നു. സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റു് വെയര്‍ പ്ളാറ്റു്ഫോമുകള്‍ ലൈസന്‍സില്ലാതെയും മൂലകോഡുകളോടു് കൂടിയും ലഭ്യമാകുന്നതിനാല്‍ മുഴുവന്‍ കാര്യങ്ങളും പഠിക്കാനും സ്ഥിരമായ ആശ്രിതത്വം ഒഴിവാക്കാനും സ്വശ്രയത്വം കൈവരിക്കാനും കഴിയും. ആവര്‍ത്തിച്ചുള്ള ലൈസന്‍സു് ഫീ ആവശ്യമില്ല. നെറ്റു്വര്‍ക്കു് സുരക്ഷയും വിവര സുരക്ഷയും സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റു്വെയറിന്റെ സ്വാഭാവിക സാങ്കേതിക മികവിന്റെ ഭാഗമെന്നതു് പോലെ തന്നെ പ്രാദേശിക സേവന ദാതാക്കള്‍ക്കു് പ്രത്യേക സംവിധാനങ്ങളൊരുക്കാന്‍ കഴിയുന്നതുമാണു്. ഭാവിയില്‍ പ്രത്യേക ചെലവു് വേണ്ടിവരുന്നില്ല. കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര്‍ ഉപകരണങ്ങളുടെ ചെലവും ഗണ്യമായി കുറയും. ചുരുക്കത്തില്‍ ഇന്നു് വേണ്ടിവരുമെന്നു് കണക്കാക്കപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുള്ള 35 കോടി രൂപയുടെ പകുതിയിലും താഴെ മാത്രം തുക കൊണ്ടു് ഒറാക്കിളോ സാപ്പോ അവരുടെ നിലവിലുള്ള മുന്‍കൂട്ടി തയ്യാറാക്കപ്പെട്ട പാക്കേജു് വഴി ലഭ്യമാകുന്നതിനേക്കാള്‍ കൂടുതലും (പൈപ്പു് ലൈനുകളുടെ കിടപ്പു് ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാന്‍ കഴിയുന്ന ഭൂതല വിവര സംവിധാനമടക്കം) മെച്ചപ്പെട്ടതുമായ സേവനം സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റു്വെയറുപയോഗിച്ചു് പ്രാദേശിക സേവന ദാതാക്കള്‍ക്കു് നല്‍കാന്‍ കഴിയും. സ്വാഭാവികമായും വാര്‍ഷിക മെയിന്റനന്‍സു് ചെലവും പകുതിയിലും താഴെയായി കുറയും.
വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റി ജീവനക്കാരുടെ സംഘടനകള്‍ സ്ഥാപന ശാക്തീകരണ പരിപാടിയോടു് ക്രിയാത്മകമയി പ്രതികരിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളതു് സ്ഥാപനത്തിന്റെ ശരിയായ താല്പര്യം മുന്‍ നിര്‍ത്തി മാനേജു്മെന്റു് പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കും എന്ന ധാരണയോടെയാണു്. അതിന്നാധാരമായി അവര്‍ കണ്ടിരുന്നതു് ഇടതു്പക്ഷ ജനാധിപത്യ മുന്നണി സര്‍ക്കാരിന്റെ പ്രഖ്യാപിത ഐറ്റി നയവും അതില്‍ സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റു്വെയറിനു് നല്‍കിയിരുന്ന പ്രത്യേക പരിഗണനയുമാണു്. അതിനെയെല്ലാം കാറ്റില്‍ പറത്തി ബഹുരാഷ്ട്ര കുത്തക സോഫ്റ്റു്വെയര്‍ കമ്പനികളെ സഹായിക്കുകയും പ്രാദേശിക ശാക്തീകരണവും വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റി ജീവനക്കാരുടെ ശാക്തീകരണവും അസാധ്യമാക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്ന നടപടികളുമായി വാട്ടര്‍ അതോറിറ്റി അധികാരികള്‍ മുന്നോട്ടു് പോകുന്നതു് തടയണമെന്നു് കേരള സര്‍ക്കാരിനോടും ഐറ്റി വകുപ്പധികാരികളോടും ജലവിഭവ വകുപ്പു് മന്ത്രിയോടും അഭ്യര്‍ത്ഥിക്കുന്നു.
ജോസഫു് തോമസു്
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Memorandum submitted to the Hon. Minister for Water Resources, Govt of Kerala on behalf of Democratic Alliance for Knowledge Freedom and Free Software Movement of India.
Respected Sir,
Sub : Use of Swathanthra Software for institution stregnthening program in Kerala Water Authority as part of JICA and e-governance projects thereon – reg.
The e-governance project proposals in KWA are part of the JICA package. JICA doesnot prescribe any condition as to the selection of software platforms or packages. What they are concerned with is Institutional Strengthening of Kerala Water Authority to make its operations viable. An IT master plan was drawn up in 2005. It was prepared with the technical support of M/s Tokyo Engineering Consultants Consortium (TECC), the consultants of JICA project. The IT Master plan prescribes a number of packages for various areas all of them on Oracle as the Data base. The IT master plan happened to be so, prescribing Oracle as RDBMS, due to the technical awareness prevailing in the year 2005. Development of different packages were entrusted to different software vendors like NIC, IBS, TCS, CMC etc. They are at various stages of development or implementation. The most advanced among them are ABACUS, the billing and revenue package and CRS, the complaint redressal system. They are implemented in Trivandrum City and is awaiting roll out to the entire state. Networking is about to start. Some of the proposed solutions are yet to start development.
The issue at present is regarding the choice of Relational Data Base Management System (RDBMS). Of late 'Database comparison report for KWA' was prepared by TECC, consultants for JICA. In this report they have given a clear recommendation to go in for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). They have calculated the total cost of ownership (TCO) for 5 years for the two options. The result is TOC for Oracle is $23,72,400 and that of My SQL is $53,590. Contrary to the finding KWA Board has taken a decision to purchase Oracle Enterprise edition for its database. It is understood that the cost of Oracle Enterprise edition can be anywhere from Rs. 3 crores to Rs. 9 crores. There will, also, be annual licenece fee, which will be around 22% of the cost. This will impose heavy financial burden on KWA, both as initial investment as also recurring cost. Use of 'Oracle', being a proprietary software, is against the IT policy of Government of Kerala, which stresses the use of FOSS wherever possible. In the case of KWA, all its database requirements can be met with RDBMS like postgreSQL or MySQL that are distributed under GPL. RDBMS, whether it is Oracle, MS-SQL, My-SQL or PostgreSQL, are all conforming to SQL standard and data can be ported across them using SQL. Oracle and MS-SQL are proprietary and are to be paid license fee based on number of users. In case of My-SQL and PostgreSQL, they are available under General Public Licence ensuring freedom to use it in any number of installations, copy it for any purpose, learn the architecture and source code, modify and develop to meet any user requirement that may be felt necessary and transfer to others free or for a price, ie. sharing or doing business using it.
The decision to go in for proprietary software has been taken without proper evaluation of ground realities. The KWA authorities are swayed by the high profile marketing strategy of Software Corporates. There is a government order making it mandatory for any department or PSU to obtain the approval of IT mission / IT Department before implementing e-governance plan. The e-governance plan of KWA had been formulated without consulting even the IT mission or IT Department. Even now, this program is going on without any consultations with them. In absence of supply of source code and technology transfer, KWA will not be able to empower itself with the new technology leading to perennial vendor dependancy. KWA will incur huge financial liability due to the decision to go in for proprietary software, especially Oracle.
The database of the already implemented two software packages on a pilot basis in Thiruvananthapuram and are going to be rolled out to the state is Oracle 10G Standard edition. It is pointed out that Oracle database is already used for them and it is only logical to upgrade to Oracle Enterprise edition. Oracle Enterprise is totally different from Oracle 10G. For the roll out phase the cost of Oracle Enterprise Edition based on number of users will be prohibitive. KWA has already spent around 67 lakhs for purchasing different software platforms and tools which could altogether be avoided in case Swathanthra Software was used. Already around 87 lakhs were spent for development of various application packages using proprietary platforms and tools.
Recently a decision has been taken to purchase MS Windows for about 50% of the systems instead of LINUX. Earlier a decision had been taken to utilize LINUX in all the computers. The decision to purchase Windows operating system is also against the government policy. As operating system Gnu/Linux is far superior to Windows in all respects, cost, security and stability. Windows is infected with virus when used on network while Gnu/Linux is not at all affected by virus problem. In case of Windows, the vendor designed security alone is possible while in case of Gnu/Linux KWA can get its own security system implemented, even with the use of security algorithm specific to various software components.
It is learnt, of late, that there is a move to hand over the whole e-governance project of KWA to a private company called ‘Sarfinity’ on a swiss challenge basis. In swiss challenge method, the company makes a proposal for the e-governance project of KWA and KWA tenders the work based on their proposal. Once the tenders are opened, the company will get a chance to quote for the work. Clearly, this is against the principles of transparency and rules on public tendering process. Moreover, it is against developing local expertise in Information Technology solutions within the state, both in public sector and small and medium sector, which is the widest employment generating area as far as the state is concerned.
Despite all the expenditure already incurred, using Swathanthra Software will be the cheaper and better option. Despite the additional cost of replicating the interfaces, migration at this stage will be cheaper. Major cost among various project components relates to implementation. This is same for both proprietary as well as swathanthra software. The second major component happens to be software platform licences in case of proprietary software. As for Swathanthra Software no expenditure need be incurred for this. Additional cost of replicating interfaces is offset against this expenditure avoided when Swathanthra Software is used. Data already generated can be easily migrated to postgreSQL. SRS and designs already prepared for the packages that are developed could be used for developing interfaces using Swathanthra Software Tools. But this option, which is far less expensive, is not being explored by the management.
The KWA management may be favouring 'Oracle' with the idea of having integrated solutions as against the fragmented or stand alone networks for various applications like billing, accounting, customer management, employee management etc. Solution based on Swathanthra Software developed locally will also be integrated one, if it is designed so. If ready built packages are required, they too are there in Swathanthra Software resources. OpenERP, OpenBravo, ERP5 etc are there. Cost incurred for both models will be almost same for the first installation. Then for subsequent installations the cost will come down. But that will not be case with License fee for proprietary solutions. They levy monopoly rent for the products and continue to maintain dependancy for ever.
Information Technology having application in all areas of life, self empowerment by the society as a whole is important for its sustainable development free of intervention from vested interests. Free Software is a tool for self development and local development. It provides the necessary environment for technology assimiliation by allowing freedom to use, learn, modify, copy, share and even to do business.
If KWA management is worried about service support for Data Base, they can keep assured that Local expertise is available for PostgreSQL more than Oracle. In case of PostgreSQL, it is freely available and hence open to study and development and hence local expertise is developing. While, in case of Oracle only resellers and agents are having even user level expertise which is only peripheral and not indepth. International support for PostgreSQL and MySQL is available through the network of world class IT professionals developing Swathanthra Software. Paid consultancy and service support are also available for PostgreSQL and MySQL from Multi-National IT firms, if that is what is required. Still, it will be cost effective than the per user licence system of proprietary RDBMS, Oracle.
Under the circumstances, it is requested that your good offices may be utilised to see that the interest of the state, the people, the institution and the PSUs and local small and medium industry is safe guarded through the use of Swathanthra Software and local expertise that benefit all the stake holders through all round empowerment of all the concerned, the state government, the institution, the workers and the people. The nature of intervention requested are :
> To keep the decision of KWA Board to purchase Oracle enterprise licence in abeyance to have a practical comparison by actual use of the proprietary and Swathanthra Software. This will not prolong the over all project period as this practical comparison can be completed before completion of networking after which roll out is to take place.
> To order a fair comparison of the proposed Oracle and other proprietary software with Swathanthra Software and PostgreSQL by actual use. ABACUS with proprietary software Oracle is in use in Trivandrum city. The same billing and revenue package with Swathanthra software and PostgreSQL be got developed and implemented in another area and compared. The additional expenditure will only be a fraction of the license fee required for Oracle if the present package as such is rolled out which is saved with the use of Swathanthra Software.
> To ensure the use of Swathanthra Software in all the Institutional Strengthening Programs of Kerala Water Authority, including e-governance and resouce management systems, once the Swathanthra Software platforms, tools and package developed as above is tested and proved. Integrated information technology system to meet the JICA criteria is very well possible with a comprehensive approach and design though implementated in modules/stages.
> To ensure joint development team, consisting of in house team constituted for the purpose and IT vendors within the state (PSUs like SPACE, Keltron, CDiT, NIC, etc and Small and Medium Enterprises of co-operative and private) to facilitate inhouse IT empowerment, institutional strengthening, technology assimilation by KWA and local employment and IT industrial base.
> To have a project cycle consisting of (1) Comprehensive System Design and integration by a joint team of Swathanthra Software Professionals and inhouse team for the entire program and (2) Component/Module level prototype development strictly according to the above comprehensive system design by joint teams of local vendors and in house team and then (3) roll out of the same through the in house team with consultancy and service support from the successful joint developers for all other modules under the guidance of the above team responsible for system design and integration.
Successful models of effective and fruitful technology transfer using Swathanthra Software through participatory approach of joint development beneficial to the government departments and PSUs are available for case study.
The project being the first of its kind under the Govt of Kerala and DAKF & FSMI being voluntary organisations pledged to promote the use of Free Software, hereby offer our voluntary services for providing consultancy to KWA IT projects to have a comprehensive system design and integration.
Hope this issue will receive your kind immediate attention, despite your busy schedule in solving the problems faced by the people of Kerala.
Yours Sincerely
sd/-
Joseph Thomas
President FSMI & Convenor DAKF
E.mail : thomas@fsmi.in, Mobile : 9447738369
Trivandrum,
03-07-2010.
Encl : License Agreements of Oracle & GPL'd Softwares for comparison of the conditions.
Sub : Use of Swathanthra Software for institution stregnthening program in Kerala Water Authority as part of JICA and e-governance projects thereon – reg.
The e-governance project proposals in KWA are part of the JICA package. JICA doesnot prescribe any condition as to the selection of software platforms or packages. What they are concerned with is Institutional Strengthening of Kerala Water Authority to make its operations viable. An IT master plan was drawn up in 2005. It was prepared with the technical support of M/s Tokyo Engineering Consultants Consortium (TECC), the consultants of JICA project. The IT Master plan prescribes a number of packages for various areas all of them on Oracle as the Data base. The IT master plan happened to be so, prescribing Oracle as RDBMS, due to the technical awareness prevailing in the year 2005. Development of different packages were entrusted to different software vendors like NIC, IBS, TCS, CMC etc. They are at various stages of development or implementation. The most advanced among them are ABACUS, the billing and revenue package and CRS, the complaint redressal system. They are implemented in Trivandrum City and is awaiting roll out to the entire state. Networking is about to start. Some of the proposed solutions are yet to start development.
The issue at present is regarding the choice of Relational Data Base Management System (RDBMS). Of late 'Database comparison report for KWA' was prepared by TECC, consultants for JICA. In this report they have given a clear recommendation to go in for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). They have calculated the total cost of ownership (TCO) for 5 years for the two options. The result is TOC for Oracle is $23,72,400 and that of My SQL is $53,590. Contrary to the finding KWA Board has taken a decision to purchase Oracle Enterprise edition for its database. It is understood that the cost of Oracle Enterprise edition can be anywhere from Rs. 3 crores to Rs. 9 crores. There will, also, be annual licenece fee, which will be around 22% of the cost. This will impose heavy financial burden on KWA, both as initial investment as also recurring cost. Use of 'Oracle', being a proprietary software, is against the IT policy of Government of Kerala, which stresses the use of FOSS wherever possible. In the case of KWA, all its database requirements can be met with RDBMS like postgreSQL or MySQL that are distributed under GPL. RDBMS, whether it is Oracle, MS-SQL, My-SQL or PostgreSQL, are all conforming to SQL standard and data can be ported across them using SQL. Oracle and MS-SQL are proprietary and are to be paid license fee based on number of users. In case of My-SQL and PostgreSQL, they are available under General Public Licence ensuring freedom to use it in any number of installations, copy it for any purpose, learn the architecture and source code, modify and develop to meet any user requirement that may be felt necessary and transfer to others free or for a price, ie. sharing or doing business using it.
The decision to go in for proprietary software has been taken without proper evaluation of ground realities. The KWA authorities are swayed by the high profile marketing strategy of Software Corporates. There is a government order making it mandatory for any department or PSU to obtain the approval of IT mission / IT Department before implementing e-governance plan. The e-governance plan of KWA had been formulated without consulting even the IT mission or IT Department. Even now, this program is going on without any consultations with them. In absence of supply of source code and technology transfer, KWA will not be able to empower itself with the new technology leading to perennial vendor dependancy. KWA will incur huge financial liability due to the decision to go in for proprietary software, especially Oracle.
The database of the already implemented two software packages on a pilot basis in Thiruvananthapuram and are going to be rolled out to the state is Oracle 10G Standard edition. It is pointed out that Oracle database is already used for them and it is only logical to upgrade to Oracle Enterprise edition. Oracle Enterprise is totally different from Oracle 10G. For the roll out phase the cost of Oracle Enterprise Edition based on number of users will be prohibitive. KWA has already spent around 67 lakhs for purchasing different software platforms and tools which could altogether be avoided in case Swathanthra Software was used. Already around 87 lakhs were spent for development of various application packages using proprietary platforms and tools.
Recently a decision has been taken to purchase MS Windows for about 50% of the systems instead of LINUX. Earlier a decision had been taken to utilize LINUX in all the computers. The decision to purchase Windows operating system is also against the government policy. As operating system Gnu/Linux is far superior to Windows in all respects, cost, security and stability. Windows is infected with virus when used on network while Gnu/Linux is not at all affected by virus problem. In case of Windows, the vendor designed security alone is possible while in case of Gnu/Linux KWA can get its own security system implemented, even with the use of security algorithm specific to various software components.
It is learnt, of late, that there is a move to hand over the whole e-governance project of KWA to a private company called ‘Sarfinity’ on a swiss challenge basis. In swiss challenge method, the company makes a proposal for the e-governance project of KWA and KWA tenders the work based on their proposal. Once the tenders are opened, the company will get a chance to quote for the work. Clearly, this is against the principles of transparency and rules on public tendering process. Moreover, it is against developing local expertise in Information Technology solutions within the state, both in public sector and small and medium sector, which is the widest employment generating area as far as the state is concerned.
Despite all the expenditure already incurred, using Swathanthra Software will be the cheaper and better option. Despite the additional cost of replicating the interfaces, migration at this stage will be cheaper. Major cost among various project components relates to implementation. This is same for both proprietary as well as swathanthra software. The second major component happens to be software platform licences in case of proprietary software. As for Swathanthra Software no expenditure need be incurred for this. Additional cost of replicating interfaces is offset against this expenditure avoided when Swathanthra Software is used. Data already generated can be easily migrated to postgreSQL. SRS and designs already prepared for the packages that are developed could be used for developing interfaces using Swathanthra Software Tools. But this option, which is far less expensive, is not being explored by the management.
The KWA management may be favouring 'Oracle' with the idea of having integrated solutions as against the fragmented or stand alone networks for various applications like billing, accounting, customer management, employee management etc. Solution based on Swathanthra Software developed locally will also be integrated one, if it is designed so. If ready built packages are required, they too are there in Swathanthra Software resources. OpenERP, OpenBravo, ERP5 etc are there. Cost incurred for both models will be almost same for the first installation. Then for subsequent installations the cost will come down. But that will not be case with License fee for proprietary solutions. They levy monopoly rent for the products and continue to maintain dependancy for ever.
Information Technology having application in all areas of life, self empowerment by the society as a whole is important for its sustainable development free of intervention from vested interests. Free Software is a tool for self development and local development. It provides the necessary environment for technology assimiliation by allowing freedom to use, learn, modify, copy, share and even to do business.
If KWA management is worried about service support for Data Base, they can keep assured that Local expertise is available for PostgreSQL more than Oracle. In case of PostgreSQL, it is freely available and hence open to study and development and hence local expertise is developing. While, in case of Oracle only resellers and agents are having even user level expertise which is only peripheral and not indepth. International support for PostgreSQL and MySQL is available through the network of world class IT professionals developing Swathanthra Software. Paid consultancy and service support are also available for PostgreSQL and MySQL from Multi-National IT firms, if that is what is required. Still, it will be cost effective than the per user licence system of proprietary RDBMS, Oracle.
Under the circumstances, it is requested that your good offices may be utilised to see that the interest of the state, the people, the institution and the PSUs and local small and medium industry is safe guarded through the use of Swathanthra Software and local expertise that benefit all the stake holders through all round empowerment of all the concerned, the state government, the institution, the workers and the people. The nature of intervention requested are :
> To keep the decision of KWA Board to purchase Oracle enterprise licence in abeyance to have a practical comparison by actual use of the proprietary and Swathanthra Software. This will not prolong the over all project period as this practical comparison can be completed before completion of networking after which roll out is to take place.
> To order a fair comparison of the proposed Oracle and other proprietary software with Swathanthra Software and PostgreSQL by actual use. ABACUS with proprietary software Oracle is in use in Trivandrum city. The same billing and revenue package with Swathanthra software and PostgreSQL be got developed and implemented in another area and compared. The additional expenditure will only be a fraction of the license fee required for Oracle if the present package as such is rolled out which is saved with the use of Swathanthra Software.
> To ensure the use of Swathanthra Software in all the Institutional Strengthening Programs of Kerala Water Authority, including e-governance and resouce management systems, once the Swathanthra Software platforms, tools and package developed as above is tested and proved. Integrated information technology system to meet the JICA criteria is very well possible with a comprehensive approach and design though implementated in modules/stages.
> To ensure joint development team, consisting of in house team constituted for the purpose and IT vendors within the state (PSUs like SPACE, Keltron, CDiT, NIC, etc and Small and Medium Enterprises of co-operative and private) to facilitate inhouse IT empowerment, institutional strengthening, technology assimilation by KWA and local employment and IT industrial base.
> To have a project cycle consisting of (1) Comprehensive System Design and integration by a joint team of Swathanthra Software Professionals and inhouse team for the entire program and (2) Component/Module level prototype development strictly according to the above comprehensive system design by joint teams of local vendors and in house team and then (3) roll out of the same through the in house team with consultancy and service support from the successful joint developers for all other modules under the guidance of the above team responsible for system design and integration.
Successful models of effective and fruitful technology transfer using Swathanthra Software through participatory approach of joint development beneficial to the government departments and PSUs are available for case study.
The project being the first of its kind under the Govt of Kerala and DAKF & FSMI being voluntary organisations pledged to promote the use of Free Software, hereby offer our voluntary services for providing consultancy to KWA IT projects to have a comprehensive system design and integration.
Hope this issue will receive your kind immediate attention, despite your busy schedule in solving the problems faced by the people of Kerala.
Yours Sincerely
sd/-
Joseph Thomas
President FSMI & Convenor DAKF
E.mail : thomas@fsmi.in, Mobile : 9447738369
Trivandrum,
03-07-2010.
Encl : License Agreements of Oracle & GPL'd Softwares for comparison of the conditions.
Get ready for the next 'Great Crash'
(Courtesy :New York Times, Jun 30, 2010, 03.02pm IST)
The next Great Crash is coming. Guaranteed. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow. But, in all likelihood, sooner than we think.
How can I be so sure? Because the history of modern markets is a story of meltdowns. The stock market crashed in 1987, the bond market in 1994. Mexico tanked in 1994, East Asia in 1997. Long-Term Capital Management blew up in 1998, Russia that same year. Dot-coms dotbombed in 2000. In 2007 — well, you know the rest.
And that was just the last 20 years or so. The stagflation of the 1970s, the Depression of the 1930s, the panics in the 1900s ... and back and back and back it goes, all the way to the Dutch and their tulip bulbs.
In those giddy years before the Great Recession, it seemed as if we’d grown accustomed to the wild ride. Wall Street certainly had. Jamie Dimon , the chairman and chief executive of JPMorgan Chase likes to say when his daughter came home from school one day and asked what a financial crisis was, he told her: ”It’s the kind of thing that happens every 5-7 years.”
No one should be surprised, Dimon insists, that booms go bust. That’s the way markets work. Most Americans probably find that answer unsatisfying to put it politely. After all, millions have lost their homes, their jobs, their savings. Perhaps something is wrong if CEOs expect the markets to break down every half decade or so.
But now here comes the Dodd-Frank Act, which is supposed to ensure that we never repeat that 2008 finale of Wall Street Gone Wild. The bill, if signed into law, might help us avoid another sorry episode like that. But one thing it won’t do is prevent another crisis — if only because the next one probably won’t be like the last one.
So amid all the back-and-forth over this bill, keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of the act: It would give Washington policy makers a powerful tool to mitigate the next too-big-to-fail blow-up, however that blow-up manifests itself.
For the first time, Washington would have what is known as resolution authority, that is, the power to wind down a giant financial institution that runs into trouble.
If policymakers had had that power during the tumultuous autumn of 2008, they might have averted the catastrophic failure of Lehman Brothers. They might have placed the teetering American International Group into conservatorship. And they might have taken over Bank of America and Citigroup, and possibly even Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Senior management would have been tossed out.
“We will have a financial crisis again — it’s just a question of the frequency,” said the economist Kenneth Rogoff, who, with Carmen M Reinhart, wrote a terrific book titled ‘This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly’. The title says it all. We’ve been through this before and will go through it again.
While Dodd-Frank might avert another crisis in the short term, Rogoff says the legislation itself is less important than how regulators implement it — and keep on implementing it over the years. Before World War II, “banking crises were epidemic,” Rogoff said. Then things settled down because “regulation had become pretty draconian” and laws were actually enforced.
But memories fade. “Having a deep financial crisis is the best vaccination for another right away,” Rogoff said. Down the road, a lot will depend on the regulators. Ten or 15 years after a crisis, and sometimes a lot less, watchdogs start to doze. Political winds change. Regulators loosen up.
Many on Capitol Hill insist Dodd-Frank means the end of too big to fail, period. Many on Wall Street insist it means the end of American finance. Bankers and their lobbyists argue that American businesses and consumers will ultimately suffer, since all these rules will end up throttling the vital flow of credit through the economy.
Dodd-Frank, whatever its pros and cons, helps prepare us for the next Big One — whatever that might be.
The next Great Crash is coming. Guaranteed. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow. But, in all likelihood, sooner than we think.
How can I be so sure? Because the history of modern markets is a story of meltdowns. The stock market crashed in 1987, the bond market in 1994. Mexico tanked in 1994, East Asia in 1997. Long-Term Capital Management blew up in 1998, Russia that same year. Dot-coms dotbombed in 2000. In 2007 — well, you know the rest.
And that was just the last 20 years or so. The stagflation of the 1970s, the Depression of the 1930s, the panics in the 1900s ... and back and back and back it goes, all the way to the Dutch and their tulip bulbs.
In those giddy years before the Great Recession, it seemed as if we’d grown accustomed to the wild ride. Wall Street certainly had. Jamie Dimon , the chairman and chief executive of JPMorgan Chase likes to say when his daughter came home from school one day and asked what a financial crisis was, he told her: ”It’s the kind of thing that happens every 5-7 years.”
No one should be surprised, Dimon insists, that booms go bust. That’s the way markets work. Most Americans probably find that answer unsatisfying to put it politely. After all, millions have lost their homes, their jobs, their savings. Perhaps something is wrong if CEOs expect the markets to break down every half decade or so.
But now here comes the Dodd-Frank Act, which is supposed to ensure that we never repeat that 2008 finale of Wall Street Gone Wild. The bill, if signed into law, might help us avoid another sorry episode like that. But one thing it won’t do is prevent another crisis — if only because the next one probably won’t be like the last one.
So amid all the back-and-forth over this bill, keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of the act: It would give Washington policy makers a powerful tool to mitigate the next too-big-to-fail blow-up, however that blow-up manifests itself.
For the first time, Washington would have what is known as resolution authority, that is, the power to wind down a giant financial institution that runs into trouble.
If policymakers had had that power during the tumultuous autumn of 2008, they might have averted the catastrophic failure of Lehman Brothers. They might have placed the teetering American International Group into conservatorship. And they might have taken over Bank of America and Citigroup, and possibly even Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Senior management would have been tossed out.
“We will have a financial crisis again — it’s just a question of the frequency,” said the economist Kenneth Rogoff, who, with Carmen M Reinhart, wrote a terrific book titled ‘This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly’. The title says it all. We’ve been through this before and will go through it again.
While Dodd-Frank might avert another crisis in the short term, Rogoff says the legislation itself is less important than how regulators implement it — and keep on implementing it over the years. Before World War II, “banking crises were epidemic,” Rogoff said. Then things settled down because “regulation had become pretty draconian” and laws were actually enforced.
But memories fade. “Having a deep financial crisis is the best vaccination for another right away,” Rogoff said. Down the road, a lot will depend on the regulators. Ten or 15 years after a crisis, and sometimes a lot less, watchdogs start to doze. Political winds change. Regulators loosen up.
Many on Capitol Hill insist Dodd-Frank means the end of too big to fail, period. Many on Wall Street insist it means the end of American finance. Bankers and their lobbyists argue that American businesses and consumers will ultimately suffer, since all these rules will end up throttling the vital flow of credit through the economy.
Dodd-Frank, whatever its pros and cons, helps prepare us for the next Big One — whatever that might be.
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