The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Informatics Centre (NIC), to implement BOSS (Bharat Operating Systems Solutions) Linux on select e-Governance projects developed and maintained by NIC. The MoU was signed by M. R. Rajagopalan, Director, C-DAC, Chennai, and T. A. Khan, Deputy Director General, NIC.
The scope of this strategic alliance between C-DAC and NIC is to implement the latest 3.0 version of BOSS Linux, developed by NRCFOSS (National Resource Centre for Free/Open Source Software), in selected e-Governance projects maintained by NIC. The latest 3.0 version of BOSS has a series of additional features such as GNOME, KDE desktop environment, Bulk Document Converter and supports 18 desktop Indian languages. The software is also endowed with Bluetooth for short range of communications along with salient features like RSS Feed Reader and PDF Viewer to edit documents.
Speaking on the occasion, M. R. Rajagopalan, Director, C-DAC, Chennai, said, “We have a long- term commitment to develop software solutions which would aid e-Governance and bridge the digital divide in India. BOSS has received an overwhelming response in the market over the years. We look forward to sharing our rich expertise to build advanced solutions for various sectors of the economy. This MoU is a significant step in our e-governance initiatives in India and a ratification of our continued commitment to develop open source, with Linux.”
T. A. Khan, DDG, NIC, says, “We are happy to be associated with a prestigious organization like C-DAC. We are confident that their expertise will add great value to the e-Governance projects developed by us. This association is in line with our strategic vision to expand our capabilities in e-Governance. The MoU marks a step forward in further establishing our commitment to India.”
C-DAC recently launched its BOSS Linux software version 3.0 developed by NRCFOSS. BOSS is a GNU/Linux distribution developed by NRCFOSS for enhancing the use of Free and Open Source Software in the country. The NRCFOSS is promoted by the Department of Information Technology, MC&IT, Government of India, to address the issues related to FOSS in the Indian context and to explore how FOSS can play the twin roles of helping to bridge the digital divide as well as strengthening the Indian software industry.
Key Features of BOSS V 3.0
Comprises 18 desktop Indian languages Bulk Document Converter GIMP: High-End Image Editor PDF Viewer which enables to edit documents RSS Feed Reader which can be used in websites to retrieve all the information in that website displayed in Human Readable Format.
Bluetooth for short range communication Desktop Sharing and Remote Desktop Connection
Speaking on the occasion, S. Ramakrishnan, Director General, C-DAC, said, “C-DAC is committed to developing software solutions that are technologically advanced, yet providing value to Indian user community. Our constant endeavour is to increase the adoption of computing among a cross- section of Indian users, especially those in government first-time users and Indian language-centric users. NRCFOSS has achieved another milestone by launching the advanced version of BOSS. The accessibility of BOSS V 3.0 in government organizations, SMEs and educational institutions will further increase usability and help bridge the digital divide in India as the software can now support 18 desktop languages.”
Most of the government computer users require software for common tasks like office applications (word processor, spread sheet), accessing the Internet and multimedia in a secured environment. However, to bring it on every desk, the software should be low cost and preferably without any licensing fees. At this scenario, free and open source software like BOSS can meet these requirements offering the same in a cost-effective manner even as FOSS-based platforms and solutions are gaining increasing adoption worldwide, C-DAC endeavours to bring FOSS-based platforms, tools and solutions to the Indian marketplace.
It can also be easily localized to meet local needs and language. BOSS is also relatively immune to common computer viruses, worms and spyware. BOSS Linux is targeted at the government user initially. The ultimate objective of creating BOSS Linux is to enable the non-English literate people of India, to be exposed to the benefits of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and GNU/Linux. With the BOSS V 3.0, which has been localized in 18 Indian languages, more people will turn to FOSS as an alternative to using illegal unlicensed proprietary software.
The accessibility of BOSS Linux will have a constructive impact on the digital divide in India as more people can now have access to software in their local language to use the Internet and other information and communications technology (ICT) facilities. Community Information Centres (CICs) and Internet cafes will also benefit from BOSS Linux as this software can be utilized to power these outlets and it is affordable and easy to install, use and support.
Finally…
The MoU would encourage the procurement of Linux-compatible devices for the use of e-Governance applications. NIC will identify suitable e-Governance applications for deployment of BOSS and utilize C-DAC’s expertise in Linux software. C-DAC, in turn, would support telephonic, e-mail and portal delivery mechanism for the e-Governance programme of NIC.
