Linux Basic Desktop Training of Trainers, STEA, Vientiane, Lao PDR, July 2 - 6, 2007

This posting was initally posted under Mr. Ariel Betan's blog. Thanks, Ariel!!

Referred to also by Linux.com July 29, 2007 (1:00:00 PM)

Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) - Science, Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) and supported by the International Open Source Network (IOSN) ASEAN+3 Sub-Regional Node, the Lao PDR Linux Desktop Training of Trainers was held at the DoST-STEA E-Government Building, Vientiane Capital from July 2 to July 6, 2007.

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Group photo with DoST Dir Gen Xayaveth Vixay, IOSN Asean+3 Rep & Trainer Ariel Betan, DoST Dep Dir Gen Somlouay, Chief Tech Advisor & Trainer Anousak Souphavanh and participants.
Click here for: More Photos
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Twenty one (21) participants coming from 17 different government agencies, 5 of which are women, attended the training. The participants will thereafter train others in their respective units on the installation with Lao language support, configuration and use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

Mr. Xayaveth Vixay, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, Science Technology and Environment Agency (STEA), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was present during the first day to welcome the participants and the last day to distribute the training certificates.

According to Dir Gen. Vixay, the use of FOSS is an alternative “solution to the expensive cost of proprietary software especially in government and also for the small and medium business enterprises” in Lao PDR.

The training of trainers is also “one important step to overcome the challenges of the need for human resources and the rapid changes in IT” since the participants will later help “spread the knowledge” and “expand the Open Source Community in Laos,” according to Dir Gen Vixay.

Trainers were Anousak Souphavanh and Ariel S. Betan (also IOSN ASEAN+3 representative from the Philippines) with assistant trainers: Khamla Phoumink, Mino Sivilay and Phavanhna Douangboupha.

The training not only includes the Ubuntu (ver 7.04) Linux Operating System but also the Lao Versions of Linux called Laonux, Open Office Suite known as Xangdao, and Thunderbird Email Client which is called Salika in Lao Language. This was made possible also with the development of a Lao language keyboard layout.

The training event is the first desktop trainers training in the ASEAN+3 sub-region using local language versions of FOSS applications. According to Anousak Souphavanh localized versions of FOSS applications will make it possible for more Lao people to have access to the benefits of Information and Communications Technology since learning to use computers in the local language is easier than in a foreign language.

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The Training Agenda:

Day 1, July 2, 2007

Opening Ceremony:
- Welcome Remarks by Mr. Xayaveth Vixay, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, Science Technology and Environment Agency (STEA), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
- Talk on the International Open Source Network (IOSN) ASEAN+3 by Ariel S. Betan, IOSN ASEAN+3 Representative and Trainer.

Training Proper:
- Introduction of participants, the support staff and the trainers, checking of expectations and introduction of the training objectives by Anousak Souphavanh.

Lectures:
- Open Source and History
- Quick Start basic things to understand in using Linux
- Discussion on Files and the File System

Labs:
- Linux Installation using Ubuntu 7.04 and How to configure Lao language support. – Installation of the Lao version of Open Office
- Learning to use / navigating the Desktop Menus
- Practice on files and file system including basic command line

Day 2, July 3, 2007

Topics (Lecture in morning and Lab in the afternoon):

- Continuation of lecture and hands-on on Files and File System
- Processes and Process Handling
- Input and Output Redirection

Day 3, July 4, 2007

Topics (Lecture in morning and Lab in the afternoon):

- Working with Text Editors
- Configuring your Environment
- Printers and Printing

Day 4, July 5, 2007

Topics (Lecture in morning and Lab in the afternoon):

- Fundamental Back-up Techniques
- Networking
- Printer Sharing using Cups
- File Sharing using Samba

Day 5, July 6, 2007

Topics (Lecture in morning and Lab in the afternoon):

- Sound and Video
- Laonux, Ubuntu Overview, Lao Localization – tools and support
- Special Topic – Xangdao (Lao version of OpenOffice: calc, Writer, Impress, Salika/Thunderbird).

Closing Ceremonies
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The participants were very enthusiastic during and after the training and are looking forward to a more advance level of training in FOSS. Networking and sharing of knowledge will also continue thru the Linux ToT mailing list, the iosn IRC channel at freenode.net and other venues like googletalk and yahoo messenger.

Aside from the desktop training of trainers, several FOSS events and activities are being planned for implementation in the near future:

- FOSS Master Plan
- FOSS for Small and Medium Enterprises
- FOSS for Education
- Linux Systems Administration Training of Trainers with LPI Community Exam