Minutes of 1^st Meeting of Linux Task Force

The first meeting of the Linux Task Force was held on 29th August 24, 2002 at 4^th Floor, meeting room, Ministry of Science & Technology, Evacuee Trust Building, F-5/1, Islamabad under the patronage of Technology Resource Mobilization Unit (TReMU). Following members and participants attended the meeting:

Forum Members:

Participants:

Visitors:

Agenda of the Meeting:

Minutes of First Meeting

The meeting was started by Mr. Salman Ansari, Advisor to Minister of Science & Technology with a word of salutation to all members and participants. He informed about the Agenda of meeting and highlighted main aspects of the Linux Task Force that was later to be discussed in the meeting.

Introduction of the Forum Members

Mr. Salman Ansari formally asked the participants to introduce themselves individually. He introduced Mr. Athar Mahboob, coordinator Linux Task Force and his expertise to the members and participants.  After the formal introduction, Mr. Salman Ansari commented on members’ respective roles in facilitating the future activities of the forum.

Discussion on Agenda

·      Mr. Salman Ansari gave a brief presentation on TReMU overall objective and its related activities like number of Working Groups and projects being initiated through TReMU, IPR (Intellectual Property Rights), Task Force legislation, Task Force as Think Tank for government policies, overall benefits for adoption of Linux and also discussed Government role in terms of Facilitation in Linux Task Force.  

·      The presentation of Mr. Salman Ansari is followed by presentation of Mr. Athar Mahboob. He gave a resourceful presentation on "National IT Strategy for Linux" topic covered from Indigenous-ization of Technology to Office solution, Home Users to Linux Standard versions, Open Source software, Embedded systems, Universities curriculum to Computer Institutes and much more.

·     The meeting was than opened for Brainstorming session and following are the key points discussed by participants

Ø     The market requirements and promotion strategy of Linux.

Ø    The adoption of Linux and the need of sub-groups. Further to that importance of PNAC (Pakistan National Accreditation Council), LVO (Linux Volunteer Organization) and Office Desktop was highlighted.

Ø     Formation of Linux Support Groups, Call Centers, Voice Interface for Linux and R&D Requirements.

Ø   The need of Linux CD (A Standard pack of Linux Utilities), Linux Manual in English and URDU languages, Linux Documentation Project, formation of LAB (Linux Academic Board), LTB (Linux Translation Board) and redefine the UC Curriculum according to Open Source.

Ø     Development of Linux CD, HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) and Installation Workshops.

Ø     The requirements for proper implementation of Linux Support Groups.

Ø     The need of Synchronous Data Link Control and mathematics in curriculum and setting of priorities.

Ø    Hardware compatibility for Linux as an operating system and issues related with its installation was highlighted.

Ø   Mr. Salman Ansari informed participants about Govt. policies and recommendations for Linux and Open Source Movement.

Ø     The need of market penetration and market surveys.

Ø    Member of forum suggested on Linux Training Video and it was highly appreciated by the members and participants.

Ø    List of available resources and their utilization, moreover a member highlights the working of PIMSAT for Linux.

Ø    The Development of Linux for Public and Private Sectors.

Ø   Mr. Salman Ansari informed about the Internet2 (Educational Intranet) will launch by MoST on 10^th September with 2 contents servers and it connects almost 60 universities of Pakistan and also highlighted the launching of 8 new educational TV Channels with regard to IT education.

Ø     Idea of Linux Student Chapters to Promote Linux and its awareness Program in Pakistan.

Ø   Differentiation in terminologies of Freeware, shareware and Open source. The choices of different platforms Pakistan have and the strategy that, “ not to kill other options” was conversed.

Ø     Requirement of Linux FAQ’s for the users.

Ø     Need of Volunteer Help issues related with Linux Task Force.

Ø  Exploitation of student resources in view of propagation and development of Open Source Technology.

Ø    Role Models was discussed and mains aspects related with are highlighted by all participants as Standard curriculum, Guru Forum, Migration Group plus Cost involved, Mailing List, Content developer, Curriculum group, Linux Text Book, Geographical based group, ownership and Media coverage.

Ø   In the end of brain storming sessions, Mr. Shahid Mahmood commented that Linux is being endorsed around the world and Pakistan has not lagged behind as most of the members and participants commented. He urged that it is the right time to promote Open Source in Various IT domains in Pakistan.

      Meeting resumed after the lunch break and Dr. Lutfullah Kakakhel, Advisor ST IT of NWFP IT board, give a knowledgeable presentation on thin clients, School Solutions of Linux, importance of PHP-Nuke, introductory sessions on K-Office abiWORD, Star-office and Ximian. Dr. Lutfullah Kakakhel and his colleagues also gave a demonstration on Educational demo and Email client in view of Linux operating system.

·       A press release was compiled by the members and participants in which brief summary of activities related with  Linux First Meeting was highlighted. The same will be sent to the press/media by TReMU.

·      It is mutually agreed to develop a PC-1 related with planning to conduct basic training for general users, to conduct training for professionals and formulate Strategy to implement/introduce LINUX in Govt/Semi Govt Departments.

·    Members mutually decided to form nine sub-working groups to propagate the activities and setting the deliberations on way forward for Linux Task Force. Members also gave few other recommendations for the Linux Task Force.

Recommendation by Forum Members and Participants

Ø   Sub-Workgroups were initiated with team leaders and assignments of tasks. These sub-working groups are Linux Central Co-ordination, Linux awareness and feedback, Linux for Pakistani desktop, Linux training, Linux support centre, Linux Support Documentation, Linux in Education, Linux research and Linux Website (To be on TReMU website). Members concerned with these sub-working groups along with Group leaders name are mentioned in “Annex I”.

Ø     The concerned members will make Terms of Reference of all sub-Working Groups.

Ø   It was suggested to the members/participants by Project Manager TReMU, to take active part in TReMU discussion Forum. He stressed the need to have positive and related discussion on the topic of that particular forum.

Ø     Urdu language support group to be developed.

Ø     Awareness program regarding Linux and its utility for general public like conducting seminars and exhibitions.

Ø     Linux Text books should be published in order to bring awareness among Pakistani people. In this regard, effort of publishing Linux textbook that was acknowledge by scholars around the world by Lahore University of Management Sciences was appreciated by the members and participants.

Ø     Development and Setup of Voice Integration system in Pakistan.

Ø     Strategies for communication for sector/Geographical based for sub- working Groups

Ø     Media chain reaction should be created for the hype of Linux as an Open Source Technology.

Ø     Linux student committee should be formed for engagement of students in Linux in education sector.

Mr. Athar Mahboob (Coordinator Linux Task Force) concluded the meeting by reminding the group members of their respective tasks and assignments. He urged the need of related work of all sub-working groups should be done effectively and in time.  He also stressed the respective group members to complete the Terms of References of sub-working groups by the end of next week and submit to TReMU for its necessary action. The meeting ended with great zeal and commitment to submit more PC-1s for the promised areas. Coordinator was confident that interested members would utilize the guidance and help available at TReMU in this regard.

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Sub-Working Groups Under the Linux Task Force

In order to implement a multi-pronged strategy for promotion and adoption of Linux and other open source technologies in Pakistan, the Linux Task Force in its first meeting on August 29, 2002 decided to form Working Groups for nine different areas.  The number and composition of these Working Groups can change as we move forward.  Here are the names of the nine Working Groups formed under the Linux Task Force.  Along with the name of each group you will find a one or two line description of the group.  Also shown will be the names of the group members with the Group Leader identified.  Each group will be preparing a one to two page Terms of Reference within the next few days to be submitted to linux@tremu.gov.pk.  That would also be forwarded to you soon.

1. Coordination Sub-Working Group – responsible for the overall supervision of the Linux Task Force and any liaison required with other Working Groups/Task Forces under TReMU.

Group Members:

a)      Mr. Athar Mahboob, Group Leader

b)      Dr. Lutfullah Kakakhel

c)      Dr. Arshad Ali

d)      Air Cdre (R) Saleem Iftikhar

e)      Mr. Khawer Nihal

f)        Mr. Humayun Zafar

g)      Mr. Asaf Maruf

2.      Linux Awareness and Feedback Sub-Working Group – responsible for making and implementing plans for creating awareness about Linux and Open Source technologies in Pakistan.  Also responsible for conducting surveys and needs analysis for Open Source technologies in Pakistan.  The data collected by this sub-Working Group would be useful in preparing future strategies of the Linux Working Group.

Group Members:

a)      Mr. Badar Khushnud, Group Leader

b)      Mr. Zeeshan-ul-Hassan

c)      Mr. Humayun Zafar

d)      Mr. Ali Saifullah Khan

e)      Mr. Ahmed Bilal

f)       Mr. Faisal Rauf Danka

g)      Mr. Shakeel Ahmed

3. Linux for the Pakistani Desktop Sub-Working Group – responsible for creating a Linux distribution for the Pakistani corporate users and small businesses.

Group Members:

a)      Mr. Asaf Maruf, Group Leader

b)      Mr. Arif Aziz

c)      Mr. Khalid Sarwar Waraich

d)      Mr. Athar Mahboob

e)      Mr. Farhan Ahmed

f)       Mr. Khawer Nihal

g)      Mr. Ali Saifullah Khan

h)      Mr. Ahmed Bilal

4. Linux Training Sub-Working Group – responsible for preparing training material, training programmes and conducting training of Linux in Pakistan.

Group Members:

a)      Mr. Khalid Saeed Ansari, Group Leader

b)      Mr. Badar Khushnud

c)      Mr. Shahzad Khan

d)      Mr. Abdul Rahman

e)      Mr. Amir Kaleem

f)        Mr. Anjum Shahzad

g)      Mr. Irfanul Haq

h)      Mr. Hasham Iqbal

i)        Mr. Syed Muhammad Ali

j)        Mr. Muhammad Noman Zafar

k)      Mr. Khalid Sarwar Waraich

5. Linux Support Centre Sub-Working Group – responsible for developing and implementing plans for the establishment for Linux Technical Support Centre(s) in Pakistan.

Group Members:

a)      Dr. Arshad Ali, Group Leader

b)      Mr. Humayun Zafar

c)      Mr. Abdul Rahman

d)      Mr. Amir Kaleem

e)      Mr. Adnan Jalil

f)       Mr. Shahid Ahmed

g)      Mr. Khalid Naveed Khan

h)