AKRUTHI Fonts-Milestones in Kannada Software Development,by Anand S.K.

Milestones in Kannada Software Development, by Anand S.K.

1983   1984	As Director (Technical) – VSS Computers, Bombay ·         Developed a Z-80 microprocessor based multilingual phototypesetting terminal called “Asterix”. ·         Implemented the first Kannada text entry for CRTronics Phototypesetter from Linotype (UK). This was the first character oriented Kannada text editor on a microcomputer and it was installed in Bangalore at a typesetting bureau and used for composing Kannada and outputting on bromide paper.
1985	As Director (Technical) – VSS Computers, Bombay ·         Developed “PC Mate” a Z-80 based IBM PC plug in card for composing Indian languages on the PC. Implemented a justifying text editor for Kannada for composing and outputting on AM Varityper Photypesetting machine and delivered it to Adrishtam, a lottery results newspaper published in Kannada in Bangalore.
1986         1988         1989	As Director (Technical) – VSS Computers, Bombay ·         Developed along with Mohan Tambe of IIT, Kanpur, the Motorola 68000 based GIST card for DTP composition and DOS applications in Indian scripts. Implemented Kannada and other languages for DTP on DOS systems. The first Postscript scalable Type 1 fonts for Kannada were developed for DTP input, preview and output on laser printers. ·         Developed the Asterix Publishing System: The first Indian language DTP WYSIWYG Page Composing software for Ventura GEM (DOS). The unique feature was the development of screen and printer fonts for Ventura in Kannada. It was the pioneering effort to create HP PCL fonts for high quality Kannada output on low cost non-postscript laser printers. Some of our esteemed early users were publications like Lankesh Patrike, Samyukta Karnataka, Sanje Vani, Kranti Kannada Daily. ·         Developed the Kannada keyboard driver for DOS as a TSR program to enable direct entry and correction in GEM Ventura WSYWIG program.
1990   1991         1995   1996	As Partner and Principal Consultant – Aces Consultants, Bangalore ·         Developed Akruti Publisher: The first Windows (3.1) based Indian script DTP software. Implemented Hindi and Kannada on PageMaker for the first time. ·         Sold many Akruti DTP packages in Hindi and Kannada, BARC Kannada Sangha, Mumbai where Pavanaja worked was one of the earliest Kannada DTP customers. ·         Setup the Font Development Cell at C-DAC as a consultant and developed Hindi and Kannada fonts for C-DAC. ·         Developed Akruti Office: The first Windows-95 based Office automation software in Indian Scripts including Kannada. ·         Developed a suite of application packages in Kannada script like Grievance Management System at the CM’s Office and KSRTC, Accounting Software for Veershaiva Consumer Co-op Society, Payroll package for Kidwai, Library Management software for Prasaranga. ·         Helped third party vendors develop Kannada applications using Akruti like SHUBH-LABH Accounting, SILKSOFT for Silk merchants, MAPINFO Karnataka a GIS package, SECOMS a Constituency Management System from ORG. ·         Developed Akruti (Web Publisher) for Internet site creation and web publishing and web applications in Indian scripts including Kannada.
1996       1997   1998	As Managing Director - Cyberscape Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., B’lore ·         The first portal hosting Indian language publications on the Internet launched using Akruti Web technology at www.indianlanguages.com and the first Kannada Internet Newsmagazine Vishwa Kannada edited by Pavanaja was launched by us and supported for many years. ·         Helped Kranti Daily www.krantidaily.com , Prajavani www.prajavani.net and Samyukta Karnataka www.samyuktakarnataka.com to host their internet editions in Kannada ·         Angel investor and advisor at Innomedia Technologies, in the development of interactive TV and convergent media solutions using set-top box, developing interactive content in Kannada and other Indian languages. Also helped Pavanaja get a job at Innomedia.
2000   2001   2002   2003   2004	Managing Director - Cyberscape Multimedia Ltd., Bangalore Developed Akruti SDK and Akruti WDK for developing client-server and web applications in Kannada. Developed cyBANK and cyCRED, which are total branch automation software for co-op banks and micro credit institutions in Kannada. Developed e-Karyalaya, an e-Administration and e-Governance application software for GOK departments and undertakings in Kannada. Developed cyDOCS, a document management solution and cyTRAN a report translator in Kannada. Developed Kannada OpenType fonts for RCILTS, B’lore. Currently developing Akruti Unicode version for Kannada and other Indian languages. Developing Linux and WinCE / WinXP Embedded Thin Clients in Kannada and other Indian languages.

Other Kannada related activities participated by Anand S.K.

• 1991 – Prepared the draft document for BIS standard along with Mohan Tambe for consideration of ISCII as a national standard, in capacity of Font Development Consultant for C-DAC.
• 1992 – Called a meeting of all Indian language developers for standardizing the Indian Language font codes and proposed a standard called ISFOC (Indian Script Font Code) standard. The languages discussed included Kannada and the prevalent vendors like Modular Systems, ACES Consultants, VSS Computers, Abacus Computers, Sonata, C-DAC etc. were all invited.
• 1995 – Gave a talk introducing GOK officers to the intricacies of Kannada data-processing applications at the invitation of KGCC (currently DIT).
• 1996 – Participated in a meeting for standardization of Indian Language (including Kannada) Electoral database based on ISCII called by the Deputy Chief Election Commissoner, Mr. Subhash Pani at Election Commission, New Delhi.
• 1997 – Participated in meeting called by Shri Chandrashekhar Patil, Chairman, KDA for standardization of Kannada fonts and Keyboard. All the technical requirements of the standards were debated and proposed.
• 1998 – Became founder member of Kannada Ganaka Parishat, with the intention of encouraging application development and standardization of Kannada software.
• 2000 – Participated in seminar on Kannada banking software in the co-operative sector at the invitation of Shri. Badrinath, the M.D. of Federation of Co-operative Societies of Karnataka at the Co-operative Training Institute, Bangalore.