[Smc-discuss] Why Linux ?,Why Malayalam ?. Pl. read and respond

[Vincent Joseph]

Hi,

Here are some of my thoughts on the issue...

> Why Linux ? Why Malayalam ?

Two questions with two very different answers. 

> Why Linux ?
Linux is the choice for reasons of liberty, and 
transparency. The low cost of procurement is an 
added advantage.

> Why Malayalam ?
Malayalam support on Linux lowers the social, and
economic cost of entry into the world of computers, 
for people who can read Malayalam but do not have 
the time, ability, or resources to learn English. 

> bounced back with more questions, like 
> " Are u against English", 
> "So you want everyone to stop learning English", 

We are not against English, or Malayalam, or any 
other language. We are about *including* Malayalam 
in the Linux environment to make computers accessible
to an audience that would otherwise be excluded. In
fact, if there are no applicable/reasonable terms for
an item that needs to be translated into Malayalam, 
we will probably resort to the English word (spelled
out in Malayalam).
Message: We are about including Malayalam, not
excluding English.


> "If anyone want use computers so badly , why don't 
> they learn English" "blah blah". 

About 5 years ago, I worked with an individual who was
blind. Like me, he was a coder. He could work with 
computers, and he could code by using an application 
that read back the line of code that the cursor was 
on. Every time he moved to a new line, that line would

be read back to him over the speaker system (he used 
headphones, but he demoed it for me). Individuals who 
know Malayalam may not have the ability, or resources 
to learn English. These users are "blind" to English. 
Just as the blind have "line reader" applications that

read the line of text that the cursor is on, the 
Malayalam project will allow a person who can read 
Malayalam to participate in the world of computers. As

computers become mainstream, it is important to make 
computers accessible to more people. Lowering social 
costs (via translation projects) will play an 
important part in the pace of adoption.
Message: Should the "blind" learn to see to 
participate in the world of computers ? 

> Another thing I noticed is, Whenever I tried to get 
> volunteers from M$ platforms, they take Linux as a 
> threat to their job security. I was wondering that
how 
> can I tackle that. Because we should be able reach
> more people.

For now, while Malayalam on Linux is still in its 
infancy, volunteers should be able to work, and 
contribute from any OS platform they are comfortable 
with. Once Malayalam on Linux has reached the "usable"

stage, we can encourage people to try the system out. 
I don't think there is anything wrong with standing on

Windows, while polishing that Malayalam crown that 
sits on top of Linux! On the job threat issue... Let 
them know that they are immensely more marketable if 
they know both Linux and Windows (instead of either by

itself). To learn/understand Linux, you have to 
actually use it. What better way to do this than to 
take on some volunteer work; you can work at your own 
pace. Let your mind eat from every plate, not just 
one - you may not know what you are missing ! 
Message: Be inclusive, not exclusive. 

Other thoughts:
Many of us subscribe to the values of democracy.
Democratic institutions are founded on participation,
and openness. In today's world, access to information
and services are becoming web enabled, and this 
trend is only going to increase. Many governments are 
at the forefront of this change (e-government
initiatives ,etc). In this light, it is important that

we exclude as few as possible from the democratic 
process. Having a means to communicate information in 
Malayalam, alongside English, will help us 
increase/maintain an informed public, and also allow 
for a high degree of computer literacy in Kerala. 

Translation thoughts: 
Many newspapers here in the United States and 
Canada (there are some exceptions) use English that 
is written at a Standard/Grade 7 level. Why ? 
Because more than 50% of people in the US can only
read at a Grade 8 level. This gives newspapers the
best market audience. If at all possible we should
keep a similar mindset to target the largest possible
audience. I stopped learning Malayalam in Standard
7. I can read newspapers, and bus destinations, and
can get by living in Kerala. But if you use big words
on me, like my wife often does, I am lost. While 
there will always be a learning curve, lets not make
it too steep for those that may have had a "basic
literacy" education.

Just my 2 cents (2/47 paisa)

I read most of the messages on this list, but have 
not really participated to date. Very appreciative
of the work that all of you are doing. I do design, 
programming c/c++/java, and testing at my job, and
shall participate in code/translation issues once I
get a more powerful machine at home.

Thanks for your time,

Vincent
PS: Anyone from Atlanta on this group ?


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