[cr-india] furthering discussion on online repository

Wed Feb 14 05:08:01 CET 2007

Hi all, am resending a mail i posted yesterday but I don't think it went
to the right address. Apologies if you already got this.

Hello Tripta, Fred and others

Its been a very interesting discussion about the repository and the
ideas discussed are very exciting. In this context I thought you all may
find of interest one of IT for Change's workshops held last year titled,
Audio Visual Resources for Development: Moving towards Open Paradigms,
held in June 2006 in Bangalore, where we had a group of development film
makers, funders, and organisations using development films in their
interventions.

As a follow up to the deliberations from the workshop, we are in the
process of setting up a open content repository and distribution system.
The repository www.content-commons.in is beginning with video content in
Kannada language which is directly useful to community groups in
Karnataka involved in different areas of development activity. 

The website is not yet public, and will be up by March 2007. 

Each video will be indexed, sorted by themes etc, and a short help-sheet
about its possible uses, cumulatively including feedback from user
groups using the material will be provided. 

The content would be available under any of the open licenses applicable
to video content.

All these videos will be available for direct downloading. Those who
prefer that their videos may be distributed also through a facilitative
physical distribution system (through couriers) which is also being put
up, we will be willing to do so, at basic cost of providing a video CD
(without any overheads).  

On an aside, we also produce community radio content in Kannada for our
'Kelu Sakhi' (listen, friend) radio program, and this audio content will
also be put online for free downloads under a CC licence.

Please do let us know your comments/ feedback and information on
agencies that may be interested in sharing their films. Hope to be in
continued dialogue on this.

Regards
Piyoo

-- 
/\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Piyoo Kochar      |      Manager Programs      |    Piyoo at ITforChange.net
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
393, 17th Main Jayanagar 4 T Block, Bangalore 560041 Karnataka, India
+91.80.26654134 2653 6890 | +91.80.41461055 (fax) | http://ITforChange.net

________________________________________________________________________
From: cr-india-bounces at sarai.net [mailto:cr-india-bounces at sarai.net] On
Behalf Of Tripta B Chandola
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:35 AM
To: cr-india at sarai.net
Subject: [cr-india] furthering discussion on online repository

Due to some prior commitments, I was not able to follow up on the
discussions for an online repository. Thanks Fred and others who have
written to me off the list expressing interest in the idea. Thanks,
June, for bringing it up. 
I am detailing my ideas/plan for executing the online repository. As I
was thinking about it, I realized that the task is rather colossal but
nevertheless we should start with baby steps, as they say. 
a) Organizations/groups interested in sharing their content should
update the list of programs they already have. Adding columns about the
format (digital or non-digital), program description, and the address/id
in the local organization which can be contacted to access the same
should be mentioned. 
b) I reckon, it will take some time to organize the server space, upload
all the materials, allow for options for uploading and downloading from
local nodes but we must begin with at least having a database on the
same to share which allows for the local
organizations/groups/individuals to share, access their content. 
c) We need to also think about server space and the manner in which we
are going to use the creative commons licensing. As Fred mentioned, we
will have to ensure that the content has to be released under the CC
license as by default everything is copyrighted. Fred, can you please
throw some suggestions on the same. 
d) As an example of how the content could be shared, uploaded, etc, I am
referring to the Freesound project's website,
http://freesound.iua.upf.edu. Freesound is a project which offers space
for exchange, discussions, etc on the subject of sound. People
interested in sound from all over the world upload their original
recordings and download others to use them in interesting manner. It
provides an interactive platform for technicians, artist, people
interested in sound, etc. On the first glance, this format may seem a
bit daunting to some but please consider that this is a very heavy
website and we needn't necessarily have something this bulky but we can
adopt some of the ideas. 
e) The manner in which I think freesound could be a model to be used: -
It allows for unlimited access to upload/download to
individuals/groups/organizations. - In my opinion, I think it is
important to consider the individual participant as a potential producer
and user as then we will have many more localized, distributed nodes. -
It indexes and maintains a log of the content used as itself or as part
of other contents. - The online repository should allow for content from
different nodes to be downloaded and aired as individual programs but
also allow them to use this content or part of the content for new
programs, etc. - The freesound model gives a working instance of how the
creative commons license can be used. - Along with the content sharing,
it allows for forums to discuss varied technical and other issues. 
f) I can write to the moderators of freesound or post it on their forum
to get more ideas about how to remodel their model to suit our needs. 
Individuals, groups, organizations who are willing to participate in
this online exchange, do send in your details about the programs in
digital or non-digital format, what is the size of the their content (in
digital format), and the regularity with which one produces programs and
would like to upload/share. It would be much helpful if people could
send their lists. In the meantime, I will try and find some adhoc space
for all us to at least share, access the database. (Fred, Arun, any
ideas?) 
Please comment on the same. Any further suggestions, criticisms, etc. 
regards, tripta
PhD ResearcherCreative Industries Research CentreQueensland University
of TechnologyVictoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059Australia

-- 
/\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Piyoo Kochar      |      Manager Programs      |    Piyoo at ITforChange.net
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
393, 17th Main Jayanagar 4 T Block, Bangalore 560041 Karnataka, India
+91.80.26654134 2653 6890 | +91.80.41461055 (fax) | http://ITforChange.net