Linux in Schools

An Old Piece-Reproduction

Linux in Schools

I had to delay writing this article for various reasons. 
It was mainly because, we Ceylonese have many other obsessions than to ponder for academic interests at large. In any case, IT obsession has been in the forefront for years, many have failed to understand the economic down side of its proliferation. My interest in Linux dates back for some years, ever since, I detected, a quite innocuous looking virus in my Window box. 
However, the credit should go to our own Sanath Jayasuriya. 
I was watching, Sanath playing a wonderful innings and there was some break in between in his innings. Being a cricket fanatic, I could not wait till the break ends, I decided to fiddle with an audio program, I installed in my son’s Window box the previous night. To my surprise I felt something amiss in the computer. I could not fathom what was wrong but felt it could be a virus. However, before I could diagnose the virus ailment and its treatment, the match started and I was temporarily engrossed in Sanath’s heroics and his century, 
I did not feel the headaches (pain) of the flu the Window was suffering. It took three months for me to find were the virus was residing and further three months to come to term with it. Many years gone by, nobody has found a cure for this script kiddies boot virus.

However, Linux could do the honours and erase the boot partition. 
Ever since, hesitantly and courageously, I tread on the pathway where Linux has laid for computer enthusiasts, I have many good things and bad things to talk about Linux. 
Good thing about Linux is that one does not have to be rich to own a Linux box. It comes free, open source and there are many flavours of it. Bad thing about Linux is that there are no experts to tell, how you get about with it. 
I had to do my own way, the hard way. 
It has paid it dividends just in two years for me.
While I was doing my initial research on Linux, how much, I need to spend learning from an expert (for that matter any computer course), I found it was not worth even contemplating a tutor. I could buy all the books (three versions in a time spell of one year) and all the CDs for a fraction of the money I should spend for a course. In addition Linux has a comprehensive manual (man page with the package) and online service. 
Not only it is cheap it is academically comprehensive. 
Importance of Linux for schools has been an interest of mine for some time but I am yet to find a teacher (government schools) who advocates it for school use. The learning curve (not for kids) for teachers is so sharp that the teachers are more inclined to discourage it than to embark on it. Our education system is so primitive that we still do not offer computer science as a subject for “O” level leave alone “A” level. Time has come for a giant step in education. 
The answer is Linux for its versatility and open source nature.

Reading from Linux magazines, the Linux phenomenon has come to schools in Nepal. 
With some foreign inputs it has taken a root in Nepal. 
Ethiopians have put their alphabet into Red Hat Fedora. 
Both Mandrake 10 and Red Hat Fedora could use Sinhala font now.

Why there is no enthusiasm in Ceylon?

With so many computer experts in Ceylon, it cannot be ignorance. It could only be the arrogance and vested interests of the multinationals. I come to believe on the latter, since the Intellectual Property Act has come to legislative enactment, few years ago without any debate in the Parliament, it is proof of the pudding.

With our foreign reserve going down we have no other option than to turn to Linux. We should make a concerted effort to make a version of Linux in Sinhala. Few of the bright and enthusiastic Linux fans in Colombo have done it. It is available online and it would have teething problems to begin with but with concentrated effort it would evolve into something substantial.

In tribute to the open source software foundation, the first project would be to develop a proper Linux in Sinhala Installation. 
Open source of course was created with a traditional Buddhist outlook of Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi and it is not difficult for someone to comprehend Sabbha Dhanam Linux Dhanum Jinathi Concepts. 
Linux converts (disciples) should preach this to the masses.
I am reproducing this, since I contacted the only teacher who was interested in Kandy, say Hi, due to Coronavirus respite.
He is now into video conferencing (he wanted to introduce in schools many moons ago and was stymied by the system that prevent innovation.).
In fact he was transferred out of his post and I advised him to take leave and go abroad an update his talents abroad.

Forming a New Party

Thought of forming a new party for the coming year was an idea I conceived from the Party of the Loonies from Great Britain. Unlike Great Britain we have a credible lineage of political loonies and my effort would not go waste in this country of politically blinds.

Party name is L.L.(“A”).P. 
It stands for Linux Lovers (“Addict”) Party. Initially I thought of L.L.P. but had to give into the enthusiastic supporter’s view who claimed that not only we are politically blind but we also inherit a strong sense of political addiction. Even though I was very keen in analyzing the statistical significance for the above bone of contention (conviction), I was over-ruled by the minority of the enthusiastic supporters (a political tradition of our own). I should confess I tried hard for the original name for the sake of brevity and easy pronunciation. However, to preserve the authorship of LLP for myself (in Linux tradition), using standard computer convention, I included “A” with double quotes and brackets so that it stands out prominent for the loyalists but in computer sense there is no operating leverage; only a comment. By the time of the annual convention the verified name would be put into a democratic voting, preferably an electronic method devised by the Linux Local Community. 
For parties opposing us can use any other interpretation's, like Lankan Loonies, Lankawatama Lights, Lanu (Dirappu) Lunu or l-Nunu l-Nunu (l-silent of course) Party. We encourage all these contradictory views since we believe in any form of advertising including negative to build our image in the first year. In case one needs to reassert the party image they can use Dr. Che Guerra type of attitude and say it is Linux Liberation and not anti-american (American citizens are entitled to their own interpretation and obsessions)

First of all this party is dedicated to late Prof: Senaka Bibile for his untiring effort in the UNTARD for developing the generic system of drug labeling as opposed to the proprietary system of labeling of drugs so that the addicts of the party could obtain a cheaper version (dose) of the party manifesto. 
Late Dr.Reily Fernando who is in heaven now is the Godly Patron. The lifelong patron is going to be Linus Torvalds.

The first wave of the promotion would be done with the reciting of “Linux Saranam Gachchami”, three times a day religiously when one start the day at office. This promotion should be used in tandem and it should be tempered with “Wi(n)dows Saranam Vinasayam” liberally when ever an opportunity comes across in the office and in front of All Wi(n)dow's Boxes. 
All e-mail communications should end with a greeting similar to “A linux a day keeps the bugs away”.

In tribute to the open source software foundation, the first project would be to develop a Linux in Sinhala Installation, well in advance of the Microshaft Cronies would have a chance to add a Sinhala Version to X-XPs for a pricey sum (for our village boys eating Kentucky Chicken). 
Colombook Cronies who a itching to make a fast buck once the Microshaft Edition of Sinhala comes into operation in our remote village (schools / tutories) corners (shops) may have heart attacks with the thought of our project. 
We recommend them that they should get their blood cholesterol checked until such time the Microshaft version is built in America.

For the young Buddhist monks (English Literate) we request for the sake of preserving Pali Stanzas in its originality, take an active interest in this project (Sinhala Script) instead of appearing at TV Talk Shows and spending sojourns in London Vihara. 
Open source of course was created with a traditional Buddhist outlook of Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi and it is not difficult for someone to comprehend Sabbha Dhanam Linux Dhanum Jinathi Concepts. 
Linux converts (disciples) may preach as they please.

This is for free distribution without any claim for originality in the true spirit of GPL agreement. Users should bear any consequences that may result and endanger their health status. This can be improved (Linux addicts) or defaced (Microshaft weaklings) as long as the original authorship is accepted as L.L.(¨A¨).P. Head Quarters, Peradeniya (Kandy), Ceylon.

P.S. As a proactive precaution (my e-mail may get ¨choker blocked¨) I have disabled my e-mail indefinitely so even I cannot access it. 
However, personal and paper communications are welcome.