After call for interested students a core team was formed for the club.
8 Members
Btech & MTech (2 male)
2 Second Year (1 male & 1 female)
2 Third Year (1 male & 1 female)
2 Fourth Year (1 male & 1 female)
2 Faculty Advisors
2 CSE Department (2 Female)
Events Planned
3 Month Plan
October
FOSS Orientation Session (Completed)
November
Intro on Linux
Expo of FOSS projects and demo of fun & useful open-source tools
December
Session on open-source Cybersecurity Tools
Linux Installation party
Planned for later dates
Introduction to Docker, ContainerD, Kubernetes
Introduction to CI/CD and session on Jenkins
Discussion and session on OSINT
This first session plans to introduce the participants to the wonderful possibilities of Linux, the session plans to guide the students through the essentials of Linux and provide them with hands on tasks to get involved with the operating system.
Agenda for the event
Give a brief intro on Linux and why it is important.
Firstly explain that Linux is a kernel (clear that myth), and intro the concept of shells.
Introduce students to Linux commands : ls, cd, mv, cp, touch, … and a few more basic commands,
grep, cat, echo and how they work with each other with the help of the pipe and redirection operators
Intro to permissions and user management in Linux.
System management essentials, like htop, kill, systemctl,
Package managers concept briefing and demo
Start the tasks (which will be shared after the event), and small stickers to the students who complete the same.
Unofficial introductory event was organised to give an intro to FOSS, structure of FOSS club. The event went well and people were interested overall and also enquired how to join the club.
There are 3 FOSS communities in the campus - Muthoot FOSS,ICFOSS ,and FOSS Club. This may create some confusion among students.
Second event - Intro to Linux conducted with a turnout of 40-50 people. The event was organised in a computer lab which had Linux preinstalled, and participants worked on hands on activities to perform a set of tasks. Teams were given points and FOSS stickers.
The participants were very energetic and responsive
Future plans
Linux Installation Fest
Online workshop on gofr.dev being planned in feb
A FOSS project showcase/expo is also in the planning
Beginner friendly OSS projects to work on, (telegram bots, club website)
The core team hasn’t been able to give much time so far because of exams/assignments
Support from FOSS United
Speakers/Resource persons to conduct events/workshops.
The club will reach out to folks at FOSS United Kochi, they have been attending FOSS meetups previously as well
The primary objective of this project is to create a comprehensive and accurate digital map of the Muthoot Institute of Technology and Science (MITS) campus on the OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform. This open-source mapping initiative will not only enhance the visibility and accessibility of our college but also contribute to the global mapping community.
Methods:
Formation of a Task Force: A dedicated team of approximately 20 students from the FOSS club and the Civil Engineering department will be assembled to spearhead this project.
Data Collection: The team will systematically collect data on various features of the college campus, including buildings, roads, footpaths, landmarks, and amenities, using GPS data from mobile device which can be collected by traversing the college premises and short surveys.
Mapping: Utilizing the collected data, the team will create detailed maps of the college campus on the OpenStreetMap platform, accurately positioning each feature and ensuring that the map reflects the current layout of the campus.
Verification and Quality Assurance: Once the initial mapping is complete, the team will conduct thorough verification to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of the maps. Any discrepancies or errors will be promptly corrected to maintain the integrity of the data.
Integration and Accessibility: The finalized maps will be integrated into the OpenStreetMap database, making them freely accessible to the public. Additionally, efforts will be made to integrate the maps into college websites and mobile applications for easy access by students, faculty, and visitors.
Benefits:
Practical Experience: Students involved in the project will gain hands-on experience in data collection, mapping techniques, and quality assurance processes, which are valuable skills in the fields of geospatial technology and civil engineering.
Collaboration and Networking: Working collaboratively with peers from different departments and clubs will provide students with opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and develop teamwork skills.
Contribution to the Community: By mapping the college campus on OpenStreetMap, students will make a meaningful contribution to the global mapping community while also enhancing the visibility and accessibility of our college.
Recognition and Achievement: Students who actively participate in the project will be recognized for their contributions, both within the college community and in the broader mapping community.
Empowering College Projects: The accurate and up-to-date mapping data generated through this project can be leveraged to support various initiatives and projects within the college, such as campus navigation, event planning, facility management, and emergency response planning.
Core Group:
The core group for this project will consist of approximately 20 students, with the following composition:
10 students from the FOSS club, with expertise in open-source software, data management, and collaborative platforms.
10 students from the Civil Engineering department, with knowledge of surveying, mapping techniques, and geospatial technologies.
This composition will be changed upon interest from student from other departments. To ensure all those who are passionate and interested get an opportunity.
2 faculty coordinators, one from the FOSS club and one from the Civil Engineering department, to provide guidance and oversight.
Duration and Expenses:
The project is expected to span over a duration of 1-2 days, with the following estimated expenses:
Providing refreshment for students participating in the survey process: Approximately ₹300 (This it to ensure none of the students suffer from any problem due to heat or tiredness after survey).
Miscellaneous expenses: Approximately ₹200 for printing certificates, stationery, other incidental expenses.
Total estimated budget: Approx ₹500
we would like to request FOSS United to sponsor an amount of Rs 500 towards our forthcoming event in view of providing certificates to all the participants. Furthermore, we were interested in exploring the prospect of acquiring swag items for our core team, comprised of 7 members, alongside stickers for distribution among event participants.
Conclusion:
The proposed project to map the MITS campus on OpenStreetMap presents a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to the global mapping community. By leveraging the expertise of the FOSS club and the Civil Engineering department, this initiative will not only enhance the visibility and accessibility of our college but also empower various projects and initiatives within the campus. With a dedicated core group and a well-defined methodology, this project has the potential to deliver significant benefits to our students, faculty, and the broader community.
Mapping our college with Open Street Map(as a part of FOSS club)
We worked on an exiting project to enhance our college’s accessibility using OSM. Our objective was to create a comprehensive digital map of the campus, marking key locations to assist students, faculty, and visitors in navigating the premises more efficiently.
Project Overview
OpenStreetMap is a collaborative mapping platform that allows users to contribute geographic data freely and openly. Leveraging this tool, we aimed to provide an up-to-date and detailed map of our college campus, marking essential locations such as academic buildings, administrative offices, libraries, cafeterias, sports facilities, and other critical points of interest.
Conclusion
This project highlights the significant role that open-source tools like OpenStreetMap can play in fostering community-driven solutions. Through this initiative, we were able to contribute meaningfully to our college, enhancing the experience of those who live, work, and study here. We hope this project inspires others to explore the potential of open-source mapping and to contribute to the global effort of creating free, accessible geographic information.
Join us for an exciting experience!
Date: November 8th
Time: Department Hour
Venue: FOSS Lab