- There are umpteen tasks to enable indian languages on our free platforms in a affordable and equally easy way. Tasks may be classified in categories such as listed below : 1 . Programming2 . System development3 . Translation 4 . User and Usability feedback 5 . Content generation System level : Support for printing Unicode text at the system level or application level. CDAC's (erstwhile NCST Mumbai) oprint tool seems to provide such support. KDE3.2 and QT 3.2 seem to provide an answer. They are in alpha stage.
- Systm level: Creating more and more fonts with embedded rules ( OpenType ) for Indian scripts.
- System level: Creating virtual keyboard like itrans Input Methods and plug it into locales. Its functioning may be modeled similar to that in Yudit.
- System level: We wish to have knoppix/gnoppix/morphix like framework for developing customized CD's which we will call gnubhaaratii series of CDs for specific areas, for example Edutainment, Enviornmental Modelling with 3-d visualisation and GIS, for Mathematics for schools and for colleges , Chemistry, etc.
- System level: We also wish to have a box which may not be a computer but provides a cheap hardware and software that can reach the power of technology to the unoffording rural people.
- Programming: Porting from older libraries to newer on GNOME ( from gtk 1.2 to gtk 2.4) and KDE (to QT 3.2) where unicode support is provided. Unicode makes it easy to enable applications for indian languages
- Programming: We need a good framework for collaboratively making a multilingual dictionary. There is no electronic free dictionery for indian languages that caters to all indian languages. Such a dictionery should have meanings, antonyms , grammar, pronunciation and all other linguistic info with graphics , sound-clips and video clips . While this colaboration may begin on the web , initially a lot of hybrid media may be used with participation from academic institutions
- Programming: We now have translation aid/tools like gtranslator and Kbabel enabled for Indian languages (input as well as display). Now we need to extend these tools to support facility of referring to translations in multiple languages simultaneously.So when some string (word) is already translated in some indian languages (say Hindi, Marathi), those translations should be available at the tip of a button while translating in yet another indian language (say gujarati).
- Programming: Character conversion from one indian language to another: Many font convrters exist for indian languages. However there has been lack of standardisation. ISCII (89 or 91) has been a standard encoding i.e independent of font. What we need in unicode era , is a similar unicode based converter from one script to another.
- Programming: Grass is a GIS software consisting of a large range of tools to process GIS data. We need to be able to convert a scanned map into a digital image using this software. Because Grass is completely free software, we can use it instead of some very expensive proprieory GIS softwares , specially in rural areas, to increase awareness about the subject and its applications.
- Translation: If you visit our progress page , you will find a lot of details on translation of system level message and glossary files. You will also find a number of texts like manuals and tutorials that need to be translated. We propose to coordinate these translations in collaboration with others.
- User and Usability feedback: Since we aim at popular usage of our products, there is a dire need to study how people from different walks of life find our user interfaces and what are their needs that are not presently covered. College students studying mass media or marketing or usability can study our gnubhaaratii live CDs and individual packages and give feedback
- Content Generation: freebook: We believe that a a lot of talent exists that may write original work in indian languages. We wish to provide a platform for some modern literature ( which may or may not use electronic tools like audio/video multimedia etc) , more of edutainment variety which one may write for free and publish for free download.
- Content Generation: Scout Report: A Wisconsin University project produces a weekly magazine for free e-mail which gives annotated list of all useful educational sites on the internet. Translation of annotation into indian languages and classifying the same and providing a weekly posting for free in all indian languages is an activity to do. We are looking out for a sponsor. It would cost about Rs 500 per month per language. A hard copy can be sent to all educational institutes /libraries at about Rs 10/- per copy + postage.
- Content Generation: Rural Technology: A lot of sustainable technologies useful for rural areas need better projection. This needs to be in all indian languages.
