Project background and justification
The primary means of Internet for many Sri Lankans is through Nenasala telecentres, SchoolNet and Internet cafes. These telecentres generally comprise 10-20 computers that are connected
to the Internet via a 128kb-512kb line. Due to cost and geographical
constraints, it is not possible to significantly increase this
bandwidth.
Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate and most of our citizens are
literate in their mother tongue of Sinhala or Tamil. However, the level
of English literacy is low. This significantly impedes the use of the
Internet, as many Internet applications are only available in English.
The ICTA's local-language initiative, spearheaded by Prof. Dias, has
succeeded in bringing our local languages not only to computers but
also to mobile phones. In addition to government sites, we now have
many blogs and forums conducted in our local languages.
The LakApps project was successful in localizing the latest versions of
the Firefox web browser and Thunderbird email application, as well as
others, and installing them in several locations.
However, although the Sinhala and Tamil Firefox browsers are widely
used, the usage of the email client is low. On investigation, it was
observed that as users are on shared computers, they use webmail,
rather than an email client. Although
e-Sri Lanka mail is available in Sinhala and Tamil, its usage is
low, as users consider it lacks features.
Another major issue with using webmail from telecentres is its poor
performance over congested links. It often takes a significant fraction
of a minute to display a message.
Project summary
This project is going to develop an email client which:
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Is web-based
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Is localizable into Sinhala and Tamil
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Performs well over congested low-bandwidth links
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Is full-featured and easy to use.
- Users who prefer to store their email locally need an email client that is removable, such as a flash drive.
In addition to providing the software, on-line user assistance,
training material and training and support for telecentre operators and
users are needed to ensure that users gain full benefit.
Email, and email based collaboration, are critical Internet applications which provide high value to users. In order to cater to non-English speaking Sri Lankans, a localized web-based email would be highly beneficial for those with limited use of English.
In this context, we aim to provide a fast, full-featured and easy-to-use email service to such users.
The solution proposed will be to utilize an open-source platform that can be enhanced to perform effectively in telecentres/schools with low bandwidth and unreliable connectivity.. The system will be localizable. The major activities are:
- Extend and enhance an open-source web-based email tool such as Horde (www.horde.org)
- Produce a localized flash-drive based email client which will inter-operate with the system
- Provide a hosting server for the local community with enhanced functionality to help low-bandwidth clients connecting from various parts of the country
- Develop user assistance
- Deploy a central server and install the client software at five selected pilot sites
- Train technical staff and end-users at the five pilot sites on the use and management of the software
The localization of the system into Sinhala/Tamil will continue to be part of the main objectives but will be done outside this project.
Expected results:
- Enhancements to a web-based email system for low-bandwidth situations and which is localizable
- A flash-drive based email client (localized) that will work with the system
- Availability of local language user assistance
- Deployment of (enhanced) server software on the hosting server and client software at the pilot sites
- Trained pool of staff and end-users at pilot sites
Organization profile
The University of Moratuwa is a national centre of excellence in the technological field. It strives to be a leader in contributing to the sustainable scientific, technological, social and economic development of Sri Lanka. In addition to teaching, a major part of its activities includes reaching out to industry and society for national development. In the recent past, the University has undertaken a large number of projects in research, development, training and consultancy activities.
As well as developing and conducting several ICT training programs, including on-going training for Nenasala (telecentre) operators, the University has also conducted awareness programs and provided related consultancy services.
The Department pioneered localization of ICT (Mozilla Firefox (web browser) and Thunderbird (email client)) (into Sinhala and Tamil, the national languages in Sri Lanka) and utilized eLearning. They actively use, promote, and conduct training in Moodle, an open-source learning management system and have localized Moodle and Joomla into Tamil.
The
LAKapps Project successfully completed a unique initiative to close the digital divide by localizing and providing user-guides, training, and support. Funded by the
ICTA e-Society Development Initiative with partnering by the LK Domain Registry, Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, and the Lanka Internet Networking Group (LKiNG) the project facilitated wider use of the Internet among our communities without a language barrier.
For more information about the Moratuwa University visit
http://www.mrt.ac.lk.