Open Source Technology Team (OST) @ Center for Development of Imaging Technology (C--DIT) has been the forerunner in the propagation of Free and Open Source Technology in the state.  It is the only dedicated state government department, which promotes the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) technology solutions since 2002.  The team imparts an open source culture in decision-making, allowing concurrent input of different agendas, approaches and priorities and thus forms an inevitable entity in software development concerns of the State thereby the overall development of the region. Exploiting the complete advantage of FOSS, the team gives industry standard training, software development and networking solutions in Linux. The major products of the team include software Linux version of "Webdarshini", Kairali Linux, Linux version of Akshaya CD and Malayalam book on Free Software.

Among the significant projects implemented by the team on FOSS platform over the years ‘Kannur University Computerization’ deserves special mention as it encompasses the development of softwares of examination section of professional and post-graduate courses of Kannur University.  

Sutharyakeralam is yet another initiative of the team that aimed at bridging the gap between the public and the government thereby ensuring transparency and efficiency in everyday functions of the government.  This project is a part of the Kerala Fast Forward Programme and was developed completely on free software technologies by the team. A call centre, an online public interface to collect and track complaints from public and the live web cast of Chief Minister’s Office are the highlights of this project.
In order to bridge the crucial gap of non availability of highly qualified and trained human resource pool in the field of FOSS based software development, OST on behalf of C-DIT has played a significant role in the formation of the  ‘Centre for Advanced Training in Free and Open Source Software (CATFOSS)’ {www.catfoss.kerala.gov.in}, the first of its kind in the country.

The significant projects implemented by the team on FOSS platform over the years are:

1. Kannur University Computerization
The project encompasses the development of softwares of ‘Examination Section’ of professional and post-graduate courses of Kannur University.  It involves the following tasks: Student Examination Registration, Hall Ticket Generation, Preparation of Tabulation Register, Mark List Generation along with various Reports associated with each task.

The software is developed based upon the Scanner procured by the University. The Scanner scans the Examination Application Form and feed the data to the database of the software. The Examination Software takes these data and performs various processes.

2. Sutharya Keralam
Sutharyakeralam is a right to information initiative of the Government of Kerala, aimed at bridging the gap between the public and the government, and thereby ensuring transparency and efficiency in everyday functions of the government.  This project was developed completely on free software technologies by the team.

A call centre, an online public interface to collect and track complaints from public and the live webcast of Chief Minister’s Office are the highlights of this initiative. The web and call centre interfaces of Sutharyakeralam is also developed by the open source team. Video Streaming of Chief Minister’s Office is done by using VLC streaming server.  The project streams MPEG4 Video through HTTP protocol using two VLC streaming servers.  First one is for the transmission of camera raw stream from CM’s office and the second one is for the live web cast of compressed video. The selection of Free Software for live webcast minimised the total cost of the project to a large extent.

The other major open source based software projects especially in web-based application executed by the team are:
•    Development of Linux version of IT-Literacy CD for Akshaya project.

•    Development of Kairali Linux – a linguistically customized GNU/Linux Distribution.

•    Development of Linux version of the clip art CD- Chitrakudukka.

•    The team has completed the development and deployment of back office software for Sutharyakeralam (Chief Minister's Grievance Redressal Programme).

•    Customization and implementation of the Digital Library Software (mylibrary. vssc.org) for VSSC Library.

•    Development of Content Management System (library.vssc.org) for VSSC Library.

•    Development of an Online registration/application for allotment in KINFRA parks.

•    Development of a job portal (http://www.keralayouthjob.org) for Kerala State Youth Welfare Board.

•    Development of on line web application for processing of Entrance Examination and Budget Tracking System for Scheduled Tribe Development Department.

•    In addition, the team have good expertise in providing Enterprise Networking Solutions and had effectively completed networking projects at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Thrissur and at various public / private institutions in Kerala.

Another area, which the team focuses, is the organization of 'Training Pogrammes'. The training programmes are one of the strengths of the team, which facilitates to exploit the complete advantage of FOSS. The team has always given due prominence to conduct/organize training programmes for the government officials on software development and networking solutions in Linux.

The various training programmes organised by the team are:

  1. Awareness generation programme on Linux desktop: The one-day workshop on Migrating from  windows to Linux was a great success with more than 1000 participants throughout Kerala. In addition special batches were arranged for Government employees and students.

  2. Advanced training on System Administration and Networking in Linux: An one week course aimed to give advanced hands on training in Linux. Five batches comprising 50 participants each had successfully completed this programme.

  3. Training to officials of Government departments: The team had given awareness training in FOSS to the officials of various Government departments such as Scheduled Tribe Development department, Directorate of Technical Education of Government of Kerala.