Author: Kalashian Nyrie

OPEN SOURCE ALREADY IN ARMENIA

HULIQ
Sept 16 2009
SC

The expression Open Source Software has been widely used in the
IT-industry recently. Full-scale programs of Open Source, from
operation systems and server solutions up to office applications
and graphics editors, do not need a payment for legal use, and any
specialist can create modified and improved versions of such software.

At the dawn of origination of information science the initial code
underwent changes and was transferred from hand to hand until in
60-70s the right to software product property took a prevailing
position. In the middle of 80s Richard Stallman left the Artificial
Intellect Laboratory of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT
AI Lab) and founded Free Software Foundation. He and his like-minded
programmers tried to develop a Unix clone fully created on the basis
of Free Software. Although many important programs were elaborated,
such as GCC (GNU Cross Compiler) and EMACS (the world’s greatest editor
project), the clone has not been completed. In October of 1991, a
student of the IT Faculty Linus Torvalds published a message to Usenet
group stating that he introduced Minix kernel on x86 computers. Due to
Internet development, issue of Linux and the inaccessible behavior of
Microsoft, that had a key role in IT-sphere, a stage of return to the
old style of computer interaction started. During the following seven
years Open Source Movement was called Free Software Movement as long
as Erik Raymond initiated the name Open Source in 1998 and compared
the open code and the main right to property of software product with
the method of Software development. Such was the origination of Open
Source Movement. In Armenia the idea of creation of Open Source project
occurred in the autumn of 2002. Correspondent of ARMINFO News Agency
Vyacheslav Khachatryan applied to Director of Open Source Armenia
Armen Shahverdyan for comments on the project.

– How did the idea of the project’s creation occur in the country?

– Approximately a year ago an active group of like-minded-specialists
was formed, including representatives from Armenia, Denmark and the
USA. Jointly discussing the prospects of development of computer
technologies in Armenia, we have arrived to a conclusion that the
most prospective at the moment can become development of Open Source
programming.

– When did the Open Source Armenia (OSA) project’s implementation
start?

– In January, 2003, we officially registered a web-site
and already in February an implementation
of three programs started at the American University of Armenia under
management of President of the Union of IT Enterprises Hovhanness
Avoyan. In March Eurasia Foundation agreed to continue financing the
program. Lycos/Armenia, Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Armenian
High-Tech Council of America, International Executive Service Corps
and the American University of Armenia also contributed to the
project’s implementation. These organizations accepted the proposals
of participation in the given project with a great enthusiasm,
highly appreciating its prospects. After we decided to form a group of
programmers interested in cooperation which would work on the projects
independently from us. We received many responses of the specialists
ready to start working on the project. The work of the programmers
being guided with enthusiasm resulted in a creation of dozens of
projects on creation and development of various types of Software.

One of the most interesting programs of OSA is the Software
localization project Open Office 1.1, the most wide-spread alternative
to Microsoft Office, of course, Open Office has less possibilities
than its analogues, but it has privileges as well i.e. Open Office
1.1 is officially provided free of charge. In case if Microsoft
makes a decision of "pressuring" the piracy market of its production
in Armenia, the country will get an alternative way out of this
situation by using Open Source products. In the nearest future,
after the compilation process, a beta-version of the Open Office
in the Armenian language will be issued in the country. By the way,
many people even from South Africa apply for advises to the forum of
our web-site in connection with the Open Office compilation and our
specialists help them with pleasure.

Besides, under the project a new business-model of Application Service
Provider is created for Armenia, a system of regulation of relations
with clients. As the prices of Software products are rather high, this
business-model will allow connecting the server through Internet. A
definite software product will be saved on this server. And paying for
only monthly leasing of the service, a user will get an opportunity
of a "remote" usage of the software product. The given project is
headed by our compatriots, highly-qualified specialists from Austria.

One of the most successful projects is "NetBeans" SVG Editor which was
elaborated at the American University of Armenia. In the course of the
first month this program was downloaded from Internet by thousands of
users world wide. While the logotype of Open Source Armenia is placed
on the web-site of NetBeans development engineers alongside with such
well-known companies as "Sun Microsystems" and "Hewlett-Packard".

Besides, it is necessary to mention one especially successful project
"Children’s Internet Gateway". Under the given project, teenagers
from the town of Spitak studying the operation system Linux under
management of specialists from the USA work on creation of a Children’s
Internet-portal with wide opportunities of the Content Management
System, naturally, with open source codes which will allow specialists
to modify the program as they thinks best.

– Who are the main "volunteers" in the implementation of OSA projects?

– Specialists having various qualifications participate in OSA
projects. Majority of the program’s participants are students needing
experience, and by working on creation of Open Source software their
receive relevant knowledge and length of service. It becomes very
urgent for them as there are many companies in the country that admit
only employees having length of service. Hence, an exclusive circle
is created, the people having no working experience are not admitted
to job, and it is unknown where from to get this experience. Besides
the students, people wanting to spend their spare time on anything
else besides their main jobs work on the project. The most important
in OSA program is, in my opinion, communication between interesting
people and exchange of experience.

-What consumer circle the OSA-created software is calculated on?

– In my opinion, it is state organization that, first of all,
should take interest in OSA production. Sooner or later, state
organizations will have to change over to legal software production
as, for example, the production of Microsoft often used at these
establishments, to speak softly, is not legal. In succession of
time Armenia faces a choice of either purchasing standard packages of
Microsoft for some $450 or receiving Open Source products, practically,
free of charge. Such a situation was in Bulgaria. Then over 90% of
organizations of that country were deprived of piratical software,
and had to take measures to localize the piratical products, including
software as Bulgaria must join the European Union. Taking into account
the fact that the country cannot ban the use of illegal programs
without providing any alternative, the Bulgarian authorities made a
decision to change over to Open Source production as the purchase of
expensive licensed products proved to be more than it could afford.

– What stage is the project at?

– At present we are at a stage of full-scale work on nine
products. Several of them have been operating for some three-four
months already. I would like to mention the high attendance of
our web-site. To compare, I would say that our web-site one of
the most attended sites among the internet-resources referring the
IT-development sphere in Armenia. In the average, OSA’s web-site is
visited by 4,000 users world wide.

-What are the forthcoming plans of Open Source Armenia?

– We try to contribute to various projects necessarily, in order that
in future specialists could work independently. Quite recently we
have issued a booklet dedicated to the Project, wherein the programs
elaborated under Open Source Armenia are described. The booklet is
distributed to the organizations interested world wide.

VIVACELL-MTS, BIRTHLINK TO REEQUIP MATERNITY DEPARTMENTS IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.09.2009 15:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VivaCell-MS joins hands with BirthLink in reequipping
maternity departments in Yerevan.

At the press conference held on September 15 at Yerevan State Medical
University presided by VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian,
Director of BirthLink NGO Kathy Mellor and the Senior Neonatologist
of Armenia Hrant Kalenterian, the medical community of the republic
was introduced to a new large-scale neonatal care project that will
significantly reduce infant mortality in Armenia.

More than 4 million babies in the world die annually in their first
year of life. Not only do a staggering 98% of these deaths occur
in developing countries, but 65% of these deaths occur in the first
month of life, with more than two-thirds happening in the first week,
and of these babies, more than 50% die in the first 24 hours.

Based on WHO statistics, Armenia’s infant mortality rate is more than
four times higher than in countries like the US and UK.

"Being aware of how vulnerable a newborn is and the high and
sophisticated level of care it needs, VivaCell-MTS couldn’t just
watch. This project is yet another commitment in line with our
Corporate Responsibility belief that we are turning into practice. It
is all because we care," stated VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph
Yirikian.

With good facilities and equipment, complemented by a program of
continuing education and a sound medical knowledge, many of these
deaths are preventable.

Kathy Mellor, BirthLink’s Director and founder said: "Our main
objective, in undertaking this project, is to reduce neonatal
mortality over the next five years, in line with the UN Millennium
Goals. Through the provision of essential equipment, specifically
targeting the immediate period after birth, when babies are most
vulnerable, and continued support to neonatal departments in Armenia,
we hope we can have an impact on survival for sick and vulnerable
newborn babies. And t and funding by VivaCell-MTS."

With more than 40% of births in Armenia taking place in Yerevan,
this project is supporting ten maternity departments in the city,
as well as one Children’s hospital, which receive sick newborns. A
total of 101 pieces of essential equipment that can support vulnerable
newborn babies were distributed to hospitals including incubators,
respiratory support, monitors and other essential supplies for
delivering safe and appropriate care.

The press conference will be followed by a series of training sessions
for medical personnel from target medical facilities in use of medical
equipment. Also there will be follow up visits by the professional
medical team to give ongoing support, VivaCell press office reported.

BOXHEAD ENSEMBLE’S FIRST OPEN AIR CONCERT IS IN ARMENIA

Aysor
Sept 14 2009
Armenia

"We have never come out outdoors before and our first one will take
place tonight, in Armenia," confessed Michael Kraisner, a composer
and American Boxhead Ensemble’s guitarist.

The concert will take place in Open Music Fest. The ensemble consists
of five people: Michael Kraisner – guitar, Loren Kaiser – violin,
Eyvend Kane – guitar, Jessica Kenneth – solo, Chizara Smiling –
guitar and drums.

"This is our first visit to Armenia and I must say we are pleased
with being in Yerevan. Several Armenian musicians will perform with
us. And this will became a concert combining Eastern and Western
music," Mr. Kraisner said.

US Embassy Public Affairs Officer Thomas Mittnacht noted that the
concert is funded by the Embassy.

"We hope people will enjoy their music," Mr. Mittnacht said.

Rita Sharoyan, Open Music Fest media coordinator told that on
September, 22, the Festival will be finished with gala concert.

"The final concert will become a great musical celebration. We will
print beautiful booklets and we already have statuette," Ms. Sharoyan
said.

Note that in the framework of Festival there were held 16 concerts
and 4 are still expected.

China to provide technical-economic assistance to Armenia
12.09.2009 16:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An agreement on providing technical-economic
assistance to Armenia was signed with Chinese Government on September
11 in the Trade Ministry of China. Prior to that, on September 10, RA
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan visited Chinese Institute of
International Studies (CIIS) to deliver a speech on Armenia’s foreign
policy. During his visit to China, FM Nalbandyan also visited Armenian
Embassy in Beijing to conduct a working discussion with diplomatic
staff representatives. He also met with Armenian students. On
September 12, Armenian FM will leave for Shanghai to meet with
organizers of Shanghai expo-2010 exhibition, RA Foreign Ministry’s
press service reports.

Permanent Representative of Armenia to UN, Ambassador Karen Nazarian
hands over his credentials to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Permanent Representative of
Armenia to UN, Ambassador Karen Nazarian handed over his credentials to
the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on September 10.

In the conversation following the solemn ceremony the sides touched
upon Armenia’s involvement in UN and its priorities, as well as the
cooperation between the RA government and UN Armenian Office.

K. Nazarian expressed satisfaction with the process of programs
implemented by different UN agencies and funds in Armenia and attached
importance to the participation of Armenia’s state establishments and
NGOs in 2010-2015 UN Development Program’s process.

UN Secretary General in his turn noted that the UN Armenian Office will
be guided in its activities by priorities for Armenia and Millennium
Development Goals.

According to RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, at
the meeting the interlocutors also touched upon the negotiations over
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and normalization
process of Armenian-Turkish relations.

CHINESE, ARMENIAN FMS VOW TO BOOST BILATERAL TIES

Xinhua
Sept 11 2009
China

BEIJING, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
and his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandyan agreed on Friday to
further boost political trust and promote bilateral ties.

In their talks in Beijing, Yang told Nalbandyan China was to make joint
efforts with Armenia to implement consensus reached by the two states’
leaders, expand substantial cooperation and step up coordination in
international and regional affairs.

Nalbandian said his country attached great importance to the relations
with China, and hoped to cement bilateral cooperation in political,
trade and cultural areas.

He reiterated his country’s support to China on issues concerning
China’s core interests and concerns.

Nalbandyan arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a five-day official
visit as guest of Yang.

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF JAPAN TO EXTEND $70-$100 MILLION RURAL ROADS REHABILITATION LOAN TO ARMENIA

ARKA
September 11, 2009
Yerevan

YEREVAN, September 11, /ARKA/. Armenian Transport and Communications
Minister Gurgen Sargsyan said today the Development Bank of Japan
(DBJ) would extend a $70- $100 million loan to Armenia to help its
government rehabilitate rural roads.

Speaking at a news conference he said the talks with the DBJ were
in the final phase. The loan agreement is expected to be signed in
December, he added. The minister said the loan will be spent on rural
roads rehabilitation project that will last 2-3 years.

According to him, the DBJ loan will spur up the implementation
of the government-designed rural road rehabilitation project for
2008-2012. When this project is fulfilled every rural community across
Armenia will have at least one good road connected with the country’s
major highways.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, September 11, 2009

Americans for Artsakh Bring Negotiation and Government Public
Relations Skills to Karabakh with the Help of AGBU

In August, Americans for Artsakh (AFA) completed its third project in
a series of ongoing training programs for Karabakh government
officials. With each course increasing in complexity, the most recent
project focused on two areas of crucial importance to the nascent
state in this delicate period of its development–negotiations and
government public relations.

The diplomacy course was conducted at the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stepanakert, capital of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. Participants included twelve staff members from the
Ministry, two from the Office of the President, two from the National
Assembly, and two from the Karabakh Information Office. The Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU) funded AFA for this training
program. In addition, special assistance was provided by Karen
Kostandyan, Second Secretary of Multilateral Cooperation at the
Ministry and AFA’s Karabakh Coordinator.

The first portion of the course, called "Negotiations: Basic Concepts
and Tactics," was led by AFA Executive Director Sarah Ludwig. Ludwig
holds a certificate in conducting capacity-building programs in
post-conflict regions from the US Institute of Peace (USIP). The
students were introduced to basic concepts used in international
negotiations, and were then given exercises that used the theories and
ideologies in hypothetical conflict scenarios. Class exercises
included activities involving highly political topics: tribal
relations in Afghanistan, civic participation in Romania, media
freedom in Vietnam, and six-party talks in North Korea. Students were
given background material prior to the course in order to familiarize
themselves with the topics beforehand.

Several of the students acknowledged that such complex and sensitive
foreign subjects were at first difficult to conceptualize. Most
students had limited prior exposure to the geographical areas and
political situations presented in the "mock scenarios," providing a
great challenge in the beginning. However, as the course progressed,
students became increasingly able to find parallels between the
classroom scenarios and situations in their own lives. In one of the
activities–an examination of six-party talks on North Korea–students
were split into groups and asked to present an analysis of one of the
parties involved, followed by a question-and-answer session with the
group as a whole. "The class activities were very useful and
interesting," commented Armen Sargsyan, Third Secretary of Bilateral
Relations at the Ministry. "They helped us learn a lot of new,
different places." Marina Harutyunyan, Attaché at the Ministry’s
Information Department, agreed, "We very much need these courses for
our future work.. We need to be prepared to face our counterparts
[from other countries]. The classes were very helpful in this."

The second portion of the course was comprised of lectures and
exercises on the topic of developing the government’s relationships
with outside parties and individuals. Dr. Paul Dezendorf, a faculty
member at Western Carolina in North Carolina, led the series of
workshops. His lectures were based on classes he offers in the United
States. He will also be offering the same tutorials during his
Fulbright Scholar appointment at the Higher School of Economics in
Moscow this coming fall. Dr. Dezendorf’s opening lectures aided
students in understanding the eight categories of communications that
governments typically use in building relationships with their
external audiences, such as press relations and encouraging compliance
with the law. He focused on several areas that are particularly
relevant to the Karabakh situation, including public diplomacy,
dealing with the media, creating a "brand" image for the country, and
increasing tourism prospects.

Students also discussed areas of life in Karabakh that require
improvement. These include creating and refining media sources,
expanding upon the government’s ability to relate to the media,
enlarging potential tourist mechanisms, and the utilization of social
networking. Upon completion of the course, several of the students
chose to form a working group with the professor and agreed upon a
series of initiatives to work on and address during the next set of
courses, scheduled for spring 2010. Dr. Dezendorf has taken an active
interest in Karabakh, and he plans to correspond regularly with the
students in order to aid them in the fulfillment of their goals.

In addition, Dr. Dezendorf met with the Office of Tourism to discuss
collaborative research for the Office in developing "brand identity"
for Karabakh. His assistance will be based on former successful models
for marketing countries following a major crisis, such as
Slovenia. Ensuing projects will focus on improving the understanding
of how existing and potential audiences view Karabakh, and converting
that understanding into marketing ideas for the Office. Dr. Dezendorf
observed that Karabakh faces problems not unlike those faced by
countries in many other areas of the world. As he commented during his
visit, "[Karabakh] has a great deal of natural beauty, an energetic
population, and a focused and distinctive culture. These are
substantial assets that will be of great benefit in marketing the
country."

AFA plans to contribute with its government training courses on a
regular basis. The organization also offers courses in, among other
fields, law, public administration, and management.

Americans for Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy,
foster economic development, protect the cultural identity and promote
the heritage of the people of Artsakh.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

RALF YIRIKIAN – HONORARY DOCTOR OF "MKHITAR GOSH" UNIVERSITY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.09.2009 17:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VivaCell MTS General Manager Ralf Yirikyan delivered
a public lecture titled "VivaCell-MTS -Business with a Mission" at
"Mkhitar Gosh" Armenian-Russian International University in Vanadzor,
the company reports. At the meeting with the students and the faculty,
Yirikian reflected on the Company’s successful strategy of business
development, advanced technical process of the network, diversified
targeted marketing strategy and the Corporate Social Responsibility
agenda.

"We build future by working hard and acquiring and conveying knowledge
to students so as to secure a better tomorrow. We are here today to
share with you the products of our work, because we do believe in the
importance of sharing what you have." VivaCell-MTS General Manager
said at the meeting.

After lecture, Mr. Yirikian was decorated with title of the honorary
doctor of "Mkhitar Gosh" Armenian-Russian International University.

The lecture was also attended by representatives from the Vanadzor
municipality.

CRISIS DID NOT PREVENT YBF FROM IMPLEMENTING MAJOR PROJECTS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
10.09.2009 19:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The global economic crisis did not prevent Yerevan
Brandy Factory from implementation of a number of major projects.

"Investments amounted to AMD 2 billion this year. This year the
same amount is expected to be invested," said YBF executive director
Ara Grigoryan.

"A new distillation shop will open in Tavush branch this October,
what will help develop viticulture in the region," he said.

Besides, Mr. Grigoryan informed that programs for development of
tourism infrastructure were also implemented.

"Some 10 thousand tourists attended Yerevan Brandy Factory in
2008-2009," he said. "This proves that YBF remains one of Armenia’s
symbols."