OpenSource Architecture

1

• Open-Source Architecture
• for Affordable eGovernance
• Rajesh Jain
• Managing Director
• Netcore Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Email rajesh_at_netcore.co.in
• Ph 022-462 8000 Fax [phone]
• Personal Weblog http//www.emergic.org
• Emergic Freedom http//www.emergic.com
• Messaging Solutions http//www.netcore.co.in

2
Imagine a New, Hi-Tech India

• Computer Labs in every School and College
• Computerised Government offices
• Computing and Internet Access Centres
• Post Offices, Railway Stations, Banks, STD/PCOs
• Rural Community Learning and Info Centres
• Computers on Factory Floors
• Make a difference to the common person
• make bill payments, vote electronically, obtain
  ration cards, passport and driving license
• Realise the Dream of a Computer
• on every Indian desk and in every Indian home

3
The Gulf of Money

• A new Computer costs Rs 25,000
• Basic Software costs additional Rs 25,000
• MS-Windows MS-Office Anti-Virus
• Additional costs for Server Software
• India cannot afford dollar-denominated
  technologies
• Why should we lose precious forex for buying
  tech?
• 2 million PCs Rs 5,000 crores for basic
  software!
• Technology Oil we need economic independence

4
What We Need

• Cut costs of hardware and software dramatically
• Get off the treadmill of enforced obsolescence
• Re-use older computers Never upgrade client
  hardware
• Save on new computer and hardware maintenance
  costs
• Need a full-fledged computer on the desk
• Not small-sized hand-helds
• Leverage open-source technologies
• Learn from China!
• Dont pay for software upgrades periodically
• Compatibility with the MS-Windows world
• Graphical Interface Read/Write DOC, XLS, PPT
  file formats

5
The Affordable Computing Alternative

• Recycled diskless PCs as Thin Client Terminals
• New enhanced desktops as Servers
• Linux as the software base
• Complete suite of Open-Source applications
  (email, browser, word processor, spreadsheet,
  presentation, instant messaging)
• A 10-Computer setup will cost Rs 1.75 lakhs
• A 40-Computer setup will cost Rs 4.75 lakhs

6
The Economics

• 10 Thin Clients Rs 7,500 Rs 75,000
• 1 Server (for 40 clients) Rs 75,000
• 10 Software Rs 2,500 Rs 25,000
• Total for 10-Computer setup Rs 1,75,000
• Additional 30 Thin Clients Rs 2,25,000
• Additional 30 Software Rs 75,000
• Total for 40-Computer setup Rs 4,75,000

7
The Benefits

• Cost of Computing reduced by 75
• 4 computers for the price of 1 new system
• Can now imagine new markets for computers
• Eliminates Virus risk
• Centralised Computing simplifies management
• Windows-like Graphical desktop
• Compatibility with MS-Office file formats
• Allows Sharing of computers with privacy for all
• Can build domestic software applications base

8
Operation Leapfrog Affordable Computing for and
to the Masses

• Set up Pilot Projects in each state / district /
  village
• Computer and Internet Access Centres
• Schools, Colleges, Vocational Institutes
• Industrial Estates, Export Processing Zones
• Banks, Post Offices, STD/PCOs, Railway Stations
• Rural Learning Centres for Education
• Computers for all in Government departments
• Target first the citizen-facing departments
• Make Linux part of the Educational Curriculum
• Indian Language Computing Initiatives eg. IndLinux

9
Netcore's Vision for Emergichttp//www.emergic.or
g/emergic.html

• Computers for Rs 7,500, so that there can be one
  in every home and on every desk
• A better, more intuitive desktop (digital
  dashboard) on the computer, making it easier to
  navigate for first-time users
• Ubiquitous, cheap, high-speed wireless
  communications
• Software as a service for Rs 100-500 per month,
  so that it is affordable
• Single, unified database, such that information
  is entered only once and does not reside in silos
• Zero-latency, real-time presentation of
  information
• Seamless integration of information across the
  extended enterprise
• Leveraging the tacit knowledge that lies within
  people

10
Additional Information

• Rajesh's Weblog
• http//www.emergic.org
• Emergic Vision
• http//www.emergic.org/emergic.html
• Emergic Freedom
• http//www.emergic.com
• Tech Talk Archives
• http//www.samachar.com/tech/archives/techtalk.htm
  l