BOSS LINUX: Indian Distribution of GNU/Linux


BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) Linux is an Indian distribution of GNU/Linux based on the Debian. It consists of the Linux operating system kernel, office application software suite BharateeyaOO, Internet access software (e.g. Firfox (web browser), Thunderbird (email), Pidgim (chat) etc.), and file sharing / converter and multimedia applications. The desktop environment and applications have been localized to enable the use of Indian languages. This Linux distribution (distro) is targeted at the government users, kiosks, SMEs, and general users initially. The ultimate objective of creating BOSS Linux is to have BOSS linux in all the Indian languages thus enabling the people of India, most of whom are not English-literate, to be exposed to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and GNU/Linux.BOSS has been developed at the National Resource Centre for Free and Open Source Software (NRCFOSS) of C-DAC. The NRCFOSS is promoted by the Department of Information Technology, MC&IT, Government of India to address the issues related to FOSS in the Indian context and to explore how FOSS can play the twin roles of helping to bridge the digital divide as well as develop the ecosystem for the Indian software industry to address the needs of a variety of users.

BOSS 2.0 was released nationally on 17th September 2007.
Feature of BOSS Include:

Graphical mode installer- Helps a Novice user to install BOSS Linux on his system Beryl 2.0 - an excellent 3D Desktop
Complete Tamil and Hindi desktop BharatheeyaaOO (Localised OpenOffice.org 2.0.1 – currently in Tamil and Hindi).
Simplified menu organization - resulting in a ease of use. gDesktlets
Enhanced Removable Media support Gnome - 2.18
Multimedia Support Liferea - RSS/RDF Reader
Plug & Play support for devices. Orca Screen Reader
TV Tuner support Dual Boot Facility
Bluetooth support Synaptic Package Manger for installing /updating /removing packages
Optional Network Manager for convenient roaming between different wireless and wired networks Input Method - SCIM with Remington Keyboard Layout for Tamil, Hindi, Punjabi, and Marathi.

Business Opportunities for BOSS LINUX:
  • BOSS is a NRCFOSS Govt. of India Initiative
  • National Release of BOSS-Linux Version 2.0 on 17th September 2007
  • Govt. of India plans to make 1,00,000 installations by March 2008
  • Installations targeted for various sectors like Government, Education etc.
  • Teaming partners needed for
    • Promotional activities
    • Installation Support
    • User training
    • Hand Holding Support
    • Maintenance Support
    • Up gradations
  • Business Model
    • Teaming Partner required across the country.
    • Partner to be involved in installation realization and client support
    • Payment Model
      • Partial payment from CDAC and rest from beneficiary organization
      • Details to be worked out sector/area wise

     

    Following are our teaming partner for Bharat Operating System Solutions

    S.N.
    Company
    Contact Person
    Email id
    Base City
    Contact Nos.
    1
    Ram Kumar
    Chennai
    09940688137;04442312784;
    2
    Vikram Gaur;Chief Technical Officer
    Faridabad
    91-9312933224;91-129-6457502
    3
    Krishnan Swamy
    Chennai
    9840854242