The Hindu Business Line : Age defying

SURVEYS have proved that children and young people use the Net more effectively and frequently than adults. And like the users, IT engineers and developers also seem to be getting younger by the day.

Kanishka Raajkumar was only 14 when he developed `PESDOC — A farmer friendly software for pest diagnosis of crops'. The software can analyse symptoms, identify pests and suggest remedial measures for farmers in remote areas growing cotton, sugarcane and rice crops. The system currently covers 30 pests. PESDOC was created in Visual Prolog 5.2. The knowledge acquisition module was created in Visual Basic 6.0. The animation and audio were developed using Macromedia Flash 5.0 and Windows Sound Recorder respectively.

Pest detector

A farmer, who has no formal training in pest control, interacts with the desktop pest expert by responding to a set of queries. Domain knowledge was acquired from books and experts in plant pathology and entomology.

PESDOC employs backward chaining control strategy. Special interface has been provided for updating the knowledge base. Pest management procedures have been illustrated using audio and video files developed in the local language for the benefit of the farmers. When tested PESDOC was as good as human experts within its narrow domain. It provides effective diagnosis of pest damage and suggests remedies.

Kanishka's project won The Intel Foundation Achievement Award of $ 5,000 and the Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty (AVASC) Foundation Awards of $ 500 US Savings Bond.

No information loss

The Intelligent Document Management System (IDMS) software developed by Akshat Singhal of St Anselm's Pink City School, Jaipur, improves efficiency and prevents loss of information in a small-office environment by organising documents in standard word processing. The software was created in Microsoft Visual Basic and is integrated with MS office in many ways. Using the desktop-style interface, one can take quick notes, create a new document, open previously written documents, manage contacts, write e-mails, and also put reminders. The software maintains a database of all documents, and stores them in a common location.

Each document has a special ID and each letter has a letter ID for easy reference. The Document Versioning system is for documents that are continuously revised. For Archival and Backup, the software compresses document files selectively, and also breaks backup files to be conveniently written on CDs. The software has a unique feature called the `Procrastinate Pad', which allows the user to enter deadlines for all the documents to be worked on, and then shoots off periodic reminders. An interactive animated character guides the user throughout. Encryption and password protection at different levels make the software very secure.

The software prevents document loss due to disorganised storage that is common to all word processing applications. It ensures that every document is safe, secure and quickly accessible. It was a National Fair Winner, Best Individual Project, at the Delhi National Fair.

Preventing piracy

`Secure Licensing of Applications at User and Retailer Level' developed by Gaurav Menghani and Anshuman Fotedar from Vishwa Bharati Public School, Noida, is written in C++ and designed to fight the twin problems of software piracy and overuse of trial applications. Whenever the user installs a trial and uses it completely, he is given a code, which is unlocked by the retailer to extend the trial to a full version. The retailer is, in turn, licensed by the manufacturer using another code-key concept to generate keys.

The user and retailer packages also consist of `watch-dog' applications, which run automatically, check hackers and update data accordingly. The package is designed such that all data is machine dependent. No two machines can have similar/compatible data. Any attempt to crack the code/trial license will lead to termination of licenses. The code can be used with any C++ application, to successfully curb illegal use. The `user side' code is around 40KB, small enough to be used. Future versions will be compatible with Visual Ba<147,1,7>sic, Delphi and others.

As its developers say, "If used commercially, this project can be very successful." The software was short-listed for the National Level of Intel STDF.

Epic writer

Developed by B. Gopi Arvind, a student of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public School, Hyderabad, the Epic writer increases document portability through compilation and maximum compression. This enables users to edit and view documents online. A combination of 32-bit encryptions and password protection secure the documents.

For the differently-abled

S. Tejeshwar's Text Explorer was a national-level winner among individual participants for the Intel ISEF held in Cleveland, Ohio, last year. His text editor has features aimed at providing easy usage for those with disabilities. "The idea for a `Text Explorer' with additional functions struck me every time I used Microsoft Word," he says. The functions include Voicedictation enabling continuous speech-to-text function, Voice command for the editor and Voice output, which allows text-to-wave functions.

With Encryption and Decryption, the text is secure from spying. It embeds text into picture and enables binary encrypt and decrypt. Since it can read text through speakers it is ideal for the differently abled. Text fader smoothly fades text into gradient text. Other specialities include an inbuilt calculator.

Each of the projects is a testimony to the clarity with which a problem was identified, and the patience and effort with which a solution was found. Young as they are, their zeal and motivation are inspiring. Truly, Indian IT has come of age.

Picture by A. Roy Chowdhury

paromita@thehindu.co.in

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